Slow Cooker Short Ribs

Slow cooker short ribs is a flavor-packed dish that’s easy to make at home. Short ribs slow cook in a homemade, Asian inspired sauce that’s low-carb, paleo, and Whole30 compatible. The result is falling apart meat that will impress any crowd. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you want an elevated meal with minimal effort. Instructions to make short ribs in the Instant Pot are also included. 

Ingredients For Slow Cooker Short Ribs

• Beef Short Ribs
• Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos
• Rice Vinegar
• Sesame Oil
• Garlic
• Seasonings: ground ginger, salt, pepper
• Optional For Garnish: sesame seeds, green onions 

How To Make Short Ribs In The Crock-Pot

Slow Cooker

1. Add the short ribs to the slow cooker.
2. In a small bowl, mix together sauce ingredients. Pour the sauce on top of the short ribs
3. Cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW 6 to 8.
4. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, if using.

Instant Pot

1. Turn on the Instant Pot and select sauté. Once hot, add the sesame oil to the pot. Add the short ribs and sear on all sides, 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer the short ribs to a plate.
2. Add the sauce ingredients to the Instant Pot. Stir to mix well. If needed, deglaze the bottom of the pressure cooker by scraping all the bits off with a wooden spoon. Add the short ribs back into the pressure cooker.
3. Close the lid and seal valve. Set manual (high) pressure to 45 minutes. When cooking time is complete, quick release the pressure.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Easy slow cooker meal – Minimal prep, hands-off cooking
• Fall-apart tender beef – Perfect texture every time
• Bold, savory flavor – Garlic, ginger, and sesame shine
• Low-carb friendly – Naturally fits low-carb lifestyles
• Great for meal prep – Tastes even better the next day
• Simple ingredients – Big flavor with minimal effort

FAQs & Tips

What are short ribs?

Beef short ribs are a cut of beef taken from the brisket, chuck, plate, or rib areas of beef. The cut is literally the short section of the rib bone, hence where it gets its name: short ribs. Short ribs can be bought in different sizes: some are cut thin, some thick, some with bones, some with bones removes. You can use bone-in or boneless short ribs for this recipe. I like to use bone-in short ribs. If you use boneless, you may need to reduce the cooking time.

Is this an Asian inspired recipe?

It is! The sauce is the star of the recipe. It’s inspired by my favorite Korean restaurant sauces. As you make the sauce, give it a taste. If you think it needs more salt, add more salt. Needs more ginger? Use more. 

Are you sure this is enough sauce for the meat?

The short ribs will not be fully be submerged in the sauce when it starts cooking. Trust me, this is normal.

Why are my short ribs tough?

They need to cook longer. Short ribs require long, slow cooking to break down and become tender. Every slow cooker heats differently; depending on the size and thickness of your short ribs, you make need to cook it longer than stated.

How to serve this?

Serve these short ribs based on your own dietary restrictions. My suggestions include over mashed potatoes or rice. For low-carb, keto, paleo, and Whole30 I would use cauliflower rice or mashed cauliflower. 

How do you store leftovers?

Store leftover crockpot short ribs in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

What size slow cooker did you use?

I use a  6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot for this recipe.

Asian Inspired Beef Recipes

• Beef Stir-Fry

• Broccoli & Beef 

• Pepper Steak 

• Air Fryer Kalbi (Galbi) Short Ribs

Slow Cooker Short Ribs

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Slow cooker short ribs is a flavor-packed dish that’s easy to make at home. Short ribs slow cook in a homemade, Asian inspired sauce that’s low-carb, paleo, and Whole30 compatible. The result is falling apart meat that will impress any crowd. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you want an elevated meal with minimal effort. Instructions to make short ribs in the Instant Pot are also included.

• Author: Shannon Epstein
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Total Time: 4 hours 10 minute
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Air Fryer, Pressure Cooking, Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American, Asian, Korean
• Diet: Gluten-Free, Keto, Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 pounds beef short ribs
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 green onions, sliced (optional, for garnish)
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Sauce

• 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• Pinch of salt & pepper

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Instructions

Slow Cooker

1. Add the short ribs to the slow cooker.
2. In a small bowl, mix together sauce ingredients. Pour the sauce on top of the short ribs
3. Cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW 6 to 8.
4. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, if using.

Instant Pot

1. Turn on the Instant Pot and select sauté. Once hot, add the sesame oil to the pot. Add the short ribs and sear on all sides, 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer the short ribs to a plate.
2. Add the sauce ingredients to the Instant Pot. Stir to mix well. If needed, deglaze the bottom of the pressure cooker by scraping all the bits off with a wooden spoon. Add the short ribs back into the pressure cooker.
3. Close the lid and seal valve. Set manual (high) pressure to 45 minutes. When cooking time is complete, quick release the pressure.

Nutrition

• Serving Size:
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 0 g
• Fat: 21.9 g
• Saturated Fat: 9.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 4.2 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 45.7 g
• Cholesterol: 181.3 mg

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