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Tender Smoky BBQ Beef Short Ribs Slow Cooker Recipe Easy and Perfect for Weeknight Dinners

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This slow cooker recipe delivers tender, fall-off-the-bone beef short ribs with a perfect balance of smoky and sweet BBQ flavors, ideal for easy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 to 4 pounds bone-in beef short ribs
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon finely ground coffee
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons molasses or honey
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup beef broth or water
  • Optional garnishes: fresh chopped parsley or green onions

Instructions

  1. Pat the beef short ribs dry with paper towels and trim excess fat if desired.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and optional coffee grounds to make the dry rub.
  3. Rub the dry mixture all over the ribs, pressing it into the meat.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, molasses, smoked paprika, chili powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper to prepare the BBQ sauce.
  5. Pour beef broth into the bottom of the slow cooker.
  6. Place the coated ribs in a single layer in the slow cooker and pour the BBQ sauce evenly over them.
  7. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours until ribs are tender and falling off the bone.
  8. Optional: For a caramelized crust, transfer ribs to a baking sheet, brush with reserved BBQ sauce, and broil for 3-5 minutes.
  9. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions and serve immediately.

Notes

Let ribs sit with the dry rub for 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight for better flavor penetration. Avoid cooking on high to prevent drying out. Spray slow cooker insert with cooking spray to reduce cleanup. If sauce is too thin after cooking, simmer in a saucepan to thicken. Adding liquid smoke can enhance smokiness if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ beef short ribs, slow cooker ribs, smoky ribs, easy weeknight dinner, tender beef ribs, barbecue recipe

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/tender-smoky-bbq-beef-short-ribs-slow-cooker-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-weeknight-dinners/