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Barbecue Beef Short Ribs Slow Cooker on a rustic wooden cutting board, Texas BBQ style

Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Short Ribs

Tender, fall-off-the-bone BBQ beef short ribs slow cooked in smoky BBQ sauce and aromatic spices. Searing the ribs first creates a rich, caramelized crust and deeper flavor. This set-it-and-forget-it recipe delivers BBQ-quality results without a grill.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lbs bone-in beef short ribs
  • 1.5 cups BBQ sauce your favorite
  • 0.5 cup beef broth
  • 1 onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 0.5 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp oil for searing

Method
 

  1. Season short ribs generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, chili powder, and cumin.
  2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear short ribs in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until browned on all sides. Do not overcrowd the pan.
  3. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the bottom of the slow cooker. Nestle seared short ribs on top.
  4. In a bowl, mix BBQ sauce and beef broth. Pour over ribs, ensuring liquid comes halfway up the sides of the ribs.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender.
  6. Remove ribs from slow cooker and rest on a plate for 15-20 minutes before serving. Skim fat from the surface of the sauce.
  7. Serve ribs with the cooking sauce spooned over the top alongside mashed potatoes or coleslaw.

Notes

Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. Bone-in short ribs are recommended for best flavor. Let ribs rest 15-20 minutes before serving. Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days.