Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Beef Ribs Recipe

Byreem everly
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Introduction

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Beef Ribs are a deliciously tender and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a comforting meal. The ribs slowly absorb a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, making every bite rich and satisfying. This recipe is simple to follow and lets your slow cooker do all the work!

A stack of three large beef ribs is shown on a white square plate, each rib coated with a thick, shiny dark brown sauce that looks sticky and rich. The bones at the bottom are light brown with a slight char. The meat appears tender and moist, piled slightly unevenly. The ribs are sprinkled with white sesame seeds and chopped fresh green herbs, adding color contrast and texture. There is a small pool of sauce on the plate beneath the ribs, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 3-4 pounds beef ribs
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional, for searing)
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
  • Sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
  • Chopped green onions (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat the beef ribs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
  2. Step 2: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the ribs for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned. This step is optional but adds extra flavor.
  3. Step 3: In a bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes. Whisk until well combined.
  4. Step 4: Place the seared or raw ribs in the slow cooker. Pour the honey garlic sauce over the ribs, coating them well. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours, until ribs are tender and meat pulls away easily from the bone.
  5. Step 5: To thicken the sauce, remove the ribs and transfer the sauce to a saucepan. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook for a few minutes until the sauce thickens.
  6. Step 6: Return the ribs to the thickened sauce to coat them. Serve warm, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired. Enjoy with rice or mashed potatoes!

Tips & Variations

  • For extra smoky flavor, add a few drops of liquid smoke to the sauce before cooking.
  • If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the honey to 1/3 cup.
  • Substitute beef ribs with pork ribs for a different but equally tasty option.
  • Searing the ribs is optional but helps develop a richer flavor and color.
  • Use tamari in place of soy sauce to make the dish gluten-free.

Storage

Store leftover ribs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much. Avoid microwaving to keep the meat tender.

How to Serve

A stack of three glazed short ribs is placed on a white square plate with a white marbled texture under it. Each rib has a dark brown, glossy barbecue sauce coating that glistens under the light. The ribs show visible texture with tender, juicy meat and charred edges, with the top layer slightly overlapping the middle and bottom layers. The bones are thick, clean, and golden-brown at the ends, poking out from under the meat. The ribs are sprinkled generously with white sesame seeds and finely chopped fresh green parsley, which adds a fresh pop of color to the rich, dark meat. The sauce has dripped slightly onto the plate, creating a shiny pool around the bottom ribs. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I cook the ribs without searing them first?

Yes, searing is optional. While it enhances flavor and appearance, you can skip this step and still get tender, flavorful ribs from the slow cooker.

How do I know when the ribs are done?

The ribs are done when the meat is very tender and easily pulls away from the bone. This usually takes 6-8 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high in the slow cooker.

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Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Beef Ribs Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 240 reviews

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Beef Ribs are succulent and tender, slow-cooked to perfection in a rich, sweet, and savory honey garlic sauce. This recipe infuses the ribs with bold flavors, enhanced by ginger and garlic, then slow-cooked until the meat falls off the bone effortlessly. Ideal for an easy, comforting meal served with rice or mashed potatoes.

  • Author: reem
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 4-6 hours (high)
  • Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Ribs:

  • 3–4 pounds beef ribs
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional, for searing)

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)

For Garnish (Optional):

  • Sesame seeds
  • Chopped green onions

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ribs: Pat the beef ribs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper on all sides to enhance flavor and help create a nice crust during searing.
  2. Sear the Ribs (Optional): Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the ribs for 2-3 minutes on each side until nicely browned, locking in juices and adding depth to the flavor.
  3. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes until smooth and well combined.
  4. Slow Cook the Ribs: Place the seared or raw beef ribs in the slow cooker. Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over them, ensuring each rib is coated. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours until ribs are tender and meat easily pulls away from the bone.
  5. Thicken the Sauce (Optional): Remove ribs from slow cooker and transfer the cooking liquid to a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and stir in the cornstarch and water mixture. Cook for a few minutes until sauce thickens to desired consistency.
  6. Serve: Return the ribs to the thickened sauce to coat. Serve warm, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired. Ideal with sides like rice or mashed potatoes for a fulfilling meal.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, searing the ribs before slow cooking is recommended but optional.
  • Use tamari instead of soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
  • Adjust crushed red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level or omit for mild flavor.
  • Thickening the sauce is optional; the cooking liquid can also be served as is for a thinner glaze.
  • Cook times may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker’s heat settings.

Keywords: Slow Cooker Beef Ribs, Honey Garlic Ribs, Slow Cooked Beef, Tender Beef Ribs, Easy Dinner Recipe, Comfort Food

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