Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs are cooked in the crockpot until they reach fall-off-the-bone deliciousness.  This simple dish is a classic that is full of comfort food flavor.

beef short ribs in the slow cooker.

In this recipe for slow cooker short ribs, the braising liquid is simple, but flavorful. The basis is a combination of sautéed onion and garlic. Beef broth and worcestershire sauce is added. The real kicker in this recipe is one fresh sprig of rosemary. It may seem simple, but the long cooking time will infuse the rosemary flavor throughout the liquid and the meat. Just be warned, the smell in your house will make you drool!

How to make the drippings into a sauce:

Don’t let those delicious juices go to waste! Remove the meat and pour the juices into a sauce pan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until sauce reduces (about 15 minutes). You’ll have a delicious sauce. For a smooth sauce you’d want to strain it first.

How to make the drippings into a gravy:

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan. Add in 2 tablespoons of flour and whisk together into a paste. Pour in strained juices and heat over medium-high heat until thickened. If your juices are straight from the oven and still piping hot this will only take a minute or two.

Beef short ribs getting seared in a cast-iron skillet.
Whisking ingredients placed in a slow cooker.
Seared beef short ribs being placed into the slow cooker.

Should I use bone in short ribs or boneless short ribs?

You can use either bone in or boneless short ribs for this recipe. It won’t make much of a difference at all! Whatever you can find will work out just fine.

Close up of Beef Short Ribs on mashed potatoes.

Serving Suggestions:

Braised beef short ribs are often served up with mashed potatoes or you can also use steakhouse-style garlic mashed potatoes. The braising liquid can easily be turned into a gravy, if desired. Other classic accompaniments are a creamy polenta, or roasted vegetables.