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    Home » Recipes » Crock Pot

    Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Short Ribs

    Published: Mar 26, 2021 · Modified: Jul 22, 2025 by Amanda Mason · 19 Comments

    Yield 5 people
    Cook 7 hours hours
    Prep 5 minutes minutes
    Jump to Recipe
    Shredded ribs in a white casserole dish.
    Pulled beef short ribs covered in BBQ sauce and person eating with a fork.
    Collage showing how to make beef short ribs.

    Amazingly delicious and fall off the bone tender, these slow cooker beef short ribs are quick to prep and a huge crowd pleaser. Lathered in a sweet and smoky dry rub, this beef short ribs recipe is literally no effort to make and will quickly become a family favorite!

    Plate filled with beef short ribs covered in bbq sauce.
    Jump to:
    • Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Short Ribs: What To Know & Recipe Highlights
    • 🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
    • 🔪 Here's Exactly How To Make Them
    • 🙋🏼 Top Questions I Get Asked About This Recipe
    • Expert Tips
    • 🥘 Side Dishes That Pair Really Well
    • 🥪 More Slow Cooker Recipes That My Readers Love!
    • Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs

    Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Short Ribs: What To Know & Recipe Highlights

    • Size of Slow Cooker Needed - Since you are making 8-10 short ribs for this recipe, you need a 7-8 quart slow cooker for best results.
    • Easy & Low Maintenance: This has to be one of the easiest, most low maintenance recipes in my collection. Juicy, tender, and full of flavor, these slow cooker short ribs are what you need when you want some ribs, but you don't feel like grilling or smoking baby back ribs or short ribs.
    • Prep Time & Effort: It only takes about 5 minutes to prepare. From there, the slow cooker does all the work so you don't have to!
    • Removing The Membrane: If you're buying the ribs from a butcher, ask them to remove it for you. If not, we will remove the membrane in step 6 below.
    • Price of short ribs: Ever since "flanken style" (a trendy name for beef short ribs) became extremely popular a couple of years ago, a lot of the packaging houses raised their prices because the demand became so high. So I tend to make these for special occasions.
    Close up of shredded beef ribs in a platter.

    🛒 Ingredients You'll Need

    Ingredients to make beef short ribs on a counter.
    • Short Ribs: You need 2-3 pounds of beef short ribs for this recipe, which is about 8-10 short ribs. I tend to buy them from a butcher, but I've also had really good results with grocery store bought short ribs.
    • Paprika: I like using smoked paprika because it pairs well with the sweetness of the barbecue sauce.
    • Brown Sugar: Because I'm using barbecue sauce, I like to use light brown sugar in my rib rub. Using dark brown sugar makes these ribs a little too sweet.
    • Cayenne Pepper: I'm not a fan of too much heat on my ribs, but using a little bit of cayenne pepper really helps balance out the sweetness. I promise, it's not overly spicy.
    • Salt: Flavor enhancer that helps cut the sweetness.
    • Black Pepper: A flavor enhancer that add a subtle kick.
    • BBQ Sauce - You can use store bought, but I'm a big fan of making making my own Homemade BBQ sauce and it tastes so good with this beef short rib recipe.

    👩🏼‍🍳 Scroll down to the recipe card below for all the details you’ll need to make these short ribs!

    🔪 Here's Exactly How To Make Them

    White dish containing spices for a beef short rib rub.

    Step 1: Start by making the rib rub. In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, light brown sugar, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.

    Dry rib rub covering beef short ribs.

    Step 2: The most important key when making this recipe is to cover each short rib with the rub. Make sure you are really generous with the rub. When applying it, press it firmly so it saturates in the meat. This will help make these ribs so much more flavorful.

    Seasoned short ribs in a crock pot.

    Step 3: Now, I'm going to show you how to cook short ribs. Once they are covered in the rib rub, place each short rib into the slow cooker so they are standing against the wall of the stoneware pot, thicker side down and meaty side against the pot. They should be close together, but not touching.

    Beef short ribs in a slow cooker covered in BBQ Sauce.

    Step 4: Then, pour 1 cup of BBQ sauce onto the ribs in the slow cooker. Place the lid on the slow cooker and slow cook for 7 hours on low.

    Cooked slow cooker beef short ribs on the bone.

    Step 5: Once they are done, remove each rib from the slow cooker and place them in a large casserole dish. The rib meat should be falling off the bone at this point.

    Shredded short ribs in a dish.

    Step 6: Using a pair tongs or 2 forks, start shredding the beef.  

    👩🏼‍🍳 NOTE In Step 6: If you didn't remove the membrane before cooking the ribs, it is going to be present after you remove them from the slow cooker. You'll see the large piece of cooked membrane and fat so be sure to pick it out and discard during the shredding process. It's way easier to remove the membrane after it has been slow cooked.

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    Person using a fork to eat pulled bbq short rib.s

    Step 7: After the rib meat has been removed from the bone, add in an ¾ cups of BBQ sauce and mix well. Top with additional BBQ sauce, plate the short ribs, and serve. I love these slow cooker BBQ ribs served on a sesame seed bun or you can eat the shredded beef on its own. It's the perfect dinner recipe paired with this jalapeno cheddar cornbread!

    🙋🏼 Top Questions I Get Asked About This Recipe

    Aren't beef short ribs tough?

    It depends how you cook them. Beef short ribs come from the chuck portion of the cow. There are 5 short bones back in the chuck portion of the cow. The cow uses this muscle often, which means they aren't as tender as other types of ribs but they are incredibly flavorful. But - when you cook them in a slow cooker, they become extremely tender.

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

    For this recipe, use bone in short ribs. The membrane is attached between the bone and the meat and when slow cooked, the flavor from the fat enhances the quality of the recipe.

    Expert Tips

    • For less mess, use slow cooker liners.
    • Spice Rub Technique - Rub the spice rub mixture all over both sides of the ribs. Rub it into the meat as best you can. It makes a huge difference to press the rub firmly into the meat.
    • Dry Brining: For even more flavor, when you apply the rib rub to the meat, cover them with plastic wrap, and let them rest in the refrigerator overnight for up to 24 hours.
    • Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
    • How To Reheat: Reheat in a skillet on the stovetop or in the microwave until warm all the way through 

    🥘 Side Dishes That Pair Really Well

    • White bowl of Potato Salad sitting on a wooden table, gingham napkin with onion slices and a wooden spoon.
      Simple Potato Salad Recipe
    • Cooked french fries on a black slate with parmesan cheese and seasoning
      How To Make French Fries In The Air Fryer
    • Platter containing 24 deviled eggs sopped with paprika.
      Southern Deviled Eggs Recipe
    • White bowl containing romaine lettuce topped with Havarti cheese and dried cranberries, sunflower seeds and salad tongs on table.
      Romaine Salad with Vinaigrette Dressing

    🥪 More Slow Cooker Recipes That My Readers Love!

    • A red plate of pulled bar-b-que chicken on a kaiser roll.
      BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
    • French Dip Sandwich on a counter, au jus dipping sauce and bread on counter.
      Best Crock-Pot French Dip Sandwich
    • Pulled pork sandwich on table with additional bun and potato salad.
      Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Bourbon-Peach Barbecue Sauce
    • Chicken Pesto Thighs sitting in a white dish served over white rice topped with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese.
      Pesto Chicken Thighs

    If you tried these slow cooker beef short ribs or any other recipes on my website, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below. I love hearing from you! And, please leave a 🌟 rating while you're there!

    📧 Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter so you don’t miss out on any of my delicious recipes!

    Fork containing shredded ribs topped with BBQ sauce on a white plate.

    Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs

    Amazingly delicious and fall off the bone tender, these slow cooker beef short ribs are quick to prep and a huge crowd pleaser. Lathered in a sweet and smoky spice rub, this beef short ribs recipe is literally no effort to make and will quickly become a family favorite!
    5 from 15 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 7 hours hours
    Total Time: 7 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 5 people
    Calories: 451kcal
    Author: Amanda Mason

    Equipment

    • 7-8 Quart Slow Cooker

    Ingredients

    • 2-3 lbs beef short ribs, leave the membranes on the ribs to help hold them together
    • 1½ Tablespoon smoked paprika
    • 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 2 cups BBQ sauce, divided

    Instructions

    • In a small bowl, mix together 1½ Tablespoons of smoked paprika, 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ black pepper.
    • Rub this spice rub mixture all over both sides of the ribs.
    • Place the ribs in the slow cooker by standing them up against the wall of the stoneware pot, thicker side down and meaty side against the pot.
    • Pour 1 cup of BBQ sauce over the ribs. Cover and cook for 6-8 hrs on low (7 hours always works perfect for me).
    • Once done, you are ready to shred the meat. The meat will be falling off the bone. Remove the fat and membrane and discard.
    • Lightly spread ½ cup of BBQ sauce over the meat. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    • Spice Rub Technique - Rub this spice rub mixture all over both sides of the beef ribs. Rub the mixture into the meat as best you can. It makes a huge difference to press the rub firmly into the meat.
    • For even more flavor, when you apply the rib rub to the meat, cover with plastic wrap, and let them dry brine in the refrigerator overnight for up to 24 hours.
    • You don't have to use store bought BBQ sauce. I'm a big believer of making sauces and I love making my own Homemade BBQ sauce with this beef rib recipe.
    • For less mess, use slow cooker liners.
    • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
    • Reheat in a skillet on the stovetop or in the microwave until warm all the way through 

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 451kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 1380mg | Potassium: 796mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 1333IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @RecipesWorthRep or tag #RecipesWorthRepeating!
     
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    About Amanda Mason

    Hi! I'm Amanda, the founder and creator behind Recipes Worth Repeating! Simply put, I focus on creating delicious recipes for everyone. I offer variety. I offer convenience. I offer yumminess! And that's why people keep coming back. The recipes I create are absolutely worth repeating.

    Founded in 2012, Recipes Worth Repeating grew from people routinely asking me to email them the recipe for my latest dish. Recipe development comes naturally to me and I find cooking relaxing. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, I developed a passion for cooking at an early age and I love to showcase a variety of recipes on my blog.Creating delicious new recipes, still photography, and video for Recipes Worth Repeating is the driving force behind what engages my readers to keep coming back for more recipes they will love.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 15 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




       

    1. Ann

      December 30, 2024 at 5:59 pm

      Could I actually use flanken cut ribs for this recipe? That’s all I have.

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        December 31, 2024 at 3:38 pm

        I've never made it with flanken cut ribs, but I think it would work really well!

        Reply
    2. Yen

      March 04, 2023 at 6:43 pm

      Do you recommend searing the meat prior to slow cooking?

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        March 04, 2023 at 7:17 pm

        You absolutely can. It adds a bit more depth to the flavor, but it's not required. I've seared them before and not sear them at all and they turn out amazing regardless.

        Reply
    3. Betsy

      October 31, 2022 at 6:06 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely love this recipe ! Have you tried any other cuts of meat?

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        October 31, 2022 at 10:13 pm

        I'm so glad you loved it! I haven't tried it with other cuts, but I'm sure just about anything would work. Pork shoulder would taste amazing in this recipe!

        Reply
    4. Margaret Ford

      December 28, 2021 at 4:28 am

      5 stars
      Can I substitute the bbq sauce for something? I don’t like bbq sauce.

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        December 29, 2021 at 4:46 pm

        Try Hoisin Sauce or teriyaki sauce.

        Reply
    5. Stuart Grossman

      July 31, 2021 at 10:06 am

      5 stars
      Excellent ! Big hit with the family served with grilled Italian bread.

      Sweet Baby Ray's has been replaced for me by Rib Rack BBQ sauce, then I doctor it. Add to a bottle-
      1/3 of a cup each of honey and apple cider vinegar
      1 TBSP each of onion and garlic powder
      Dashes of sriracha or tobasco sauce

      Adjust each ingredient to taste…..

      Great recipe!

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        July 31, 2021 at 12:37 pm

        HI Stuart! I"m soooo glad you all loved the recipe!! It's one of our family favorites, too!! Let me know what other recipes of mine you try! I can't WAIT! to hear!!

        Reply
    6. Brianna

      April 23, 2021 at 5:58 pm

      5 stars
      This was the easiest short rib recipe ever! So tasty and so tender.

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        April 23, 2021 at 10:21 pm

        I'm so glad you loved this recipe! This one is amazing, I agree!!

        Reply
    7. Kate

      April 22, 2021 at 1:54 pm

      5 stars
      Many thanks for sharing this short rib recipe. Those look sooo good it made me hungry. I will try this very soon indeed.

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        April 22, 2021 at 3:43 pm

        Let me know how you like them, Kate!

        Reply
    8. Scarlet

      May 13, 2020 at 5:59 am

      Oh man, those slow cooker beef short ribs look amazing! I can't wait to try this recipe. Pinning now:)

      Reply
    9. Sugarlovespices

      October 01, 2019 at 8:26 am

      5 stars
      They look so tender! And flavorful! The spice rub adds a great touch and yes, the cut of meat makes a difference. I like both pork and beef short ribs!

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        October 01, 2019 at 8:38 am

        Yes - definately flavorful! I like beef and pork ribs, too!

        Reply
    10. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer

      October 01, 2019 at 7:25 am

      5 stars
      I absolutely LOVE short ribs. Your recipe looks perfect for a cool autumn day with a side of mashed potatoes and some fresh bread. It looks so fall-apart fork tender!

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        October 01, 2019 at 7:30 am

        Thanks, Lori! Yeah, these short ribs are crazy amazing delish! They are a huge hit so let me know how they turn out!!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Amanda! Welcome to my little corner of the internet. I'm a wife, mother of two, lover of all things food and wine, and photographer. Here at Recipes Worth Repeating, you're going to find the most delicious and easy to make recipes everyone will love.

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