Slow Cooker Boneless Beef Ribs: The Ultimate Recipe

If you’ve ever dreamed of making incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef ribs that fall apart with the touch of a fork, you’ve come to the right place. This is the ultimate guide to creating perfect slow cooker boneless beef ribs, a dish so rich and flavorful it tastes like it came from a five-star restaurant, but is secretly one of the easiest recipes you’ll ever make. Forget spending hours by the stove; your crock pot is about to do all the heavy lifting.

This recipe has become a legend in my house. I first made it on a chilly autumn Sunday when I wanted a truly special comfort food meal for my family without a ton of fuss. The result was so spectacular, with a savory, deeply flavored sauce and unbelievably tender meat, that it’s become our go-to for everything from cozy nights in to celebratory dinners. Now, I’m sharing the secret with you.

Foolproof Boneless Beef Ribs Recipe

★★★★★ (5/5 from 38 reviews) This beef short ribs crock pot recipe uses a secret ingredient combination to create a rich, savory, and slightly sweet sauce that perfectly complements the tender beef. It’s a true set-it-and-forget-it meal.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Servings: 6 people
• Calories: Approx. 580 kcal per serving

Ingredients

• 3 lbs boneless beef short ribs
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (12 oz) cola (not diet)
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 3 tbsp achiote paste
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt (plus more for searing)

Instructions

1. Pat the boneless beef ribs dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
2. (Optional but recommended) Sear the ribs in olive oil in a hot skillet for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Place them in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the chopped onion, garlic, cola, beef broth, ketchup, achiote paste, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour the sauce mixture over the ribs in the slow cooker.
5. Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the meat is fork-tender.
6. Carefully remove the ribs. If desired, skim the fat from the sauce and simmer it on the stove for 10-15 minutes to thicken before serving over the ribs.

Why This Recipe Works

This isn’t just another slow cooker beef ribs recipe. It’s engineered for perfection. Here’s why it’s a guaranteed winner:

• Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: You get a gourmet-quality meal with only about 15 minutes of active prep time.
• Simple Ingredients: No hard-to-find items here. Just a few pantry staples create an unforgettable sauce.
• Unbelievably Tender: The “low and slow” cooking method combined with the tenderizing power of cola breaks down the connective tissues in the beef, resulting in fall-apart meat every single time.
• Versatile Dish: These ribs are perfect on their own, shredded for tacos, or served over creamy mashed potatoes.

A Closer Look at Our Key Ingredients

The Best Cut: Choosing Your Boneless Beef Ribs

For this recipe, you want to look for boneless beef chuck short ribs. This cut has fantastic marbling (the little specks of fat), which is crucial. As the ribs cook slowly in the crock pot, that fat melts away, basting the meat from the inside out and creating that signature juicy, tender texture. If you can’t find them labeled as such, ask your butcher for a boneless chuck roast cut into rib-style strips.

The Secret Weapon: Cola & Achiote Paste

This is where the magic happens. The cola does two things: its acidity helps tenderize the meat, and its sugar adds a subtle, balanced sweetness that elevates the sauce. The achiote paste, made from annatto seeds, is a cornerstone of Latin American cooking. It imparts a beautiful reddish hue and a mild, earthy, peppery flavor that makes the sauce for these barbecue beef short ribs slow cooker style truly unique.

• Achiote Substitute: If you can’t find achiote paste, you can substitute it by mixing 1 tablespoon of paprika with 1 teaspoon of white vinegar and a pinch of cumin.

How to Make Slow Cooker Boneless Beef Ribs: Step by Step

• Sear the Ribs (Optional): After seasoning, sear the ribs in a hot pan. This creates a delicious crust through the Maillard reaction, which adds a deep, savory flavor to the final dish.

• Mix the Sauce: While the ribs are searing, whisk all your sauce ingredients together in a bowl. Make sure the achiote paste is fully dissolved.

• Combine and Cook: Place the seared ribs into your slow cooker and pour that glorious sauce right over the top. Put the lid on, set it to low, and walk away! Your work is done.

• Finish and Serve: After 8 hours, the meat will be incredibly tender. You can serve it immediately or thicken the sauce for a richer glaze.

Expert Tips for the Most Tender Short Ribs

• To Sear or Not to Sear? We highly recommend it for the best flavor, but if you’re short on time, you can skip this step. The ribs will still be tender and delicious.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Crock Pot: For the best results, arrange the ribs in a single layer if possible. Overcrowding can cause them to steam rather than braise, affecting the final texture.
• Low and Slow is the Way to Go: While the high setting works, the low setting is where the magic really happens. The extended cooking time gives the connective tissue more time to break down, resulting in superior tenderness.

What to Serve with Your Boneless Beef Ribs

These versatile slow cooker short ribs pair beautifully with a variety of sides. Here are some of our favorites:

• Creamy Mashed Potatoes: A classic choice to soak up all that delicious sauce.
• Cheesy Polenta: A fantastic and slightly more elegant alternative to mashed potatoes.
• On Tacos or Sliders: Shred the meat and serve it on warm tortillas with cilantro and onion, or on slider buns for a great party appetizer.
• Roasted Vegetables: Simple roasted broccoli or Brussels sprouts provide a nice contrast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to brown boneless ribs before slow cooking?

No, you don’t have to, but it is highly recommended. Browning the meat creates a flavorful crust that adds significant depth to the sauce and the overall dish. If you’re in a rush, you can skip it, but for the best results, take the extra 10 minutes to sear them.

How long do boneless beef ribs take in a slow cooker on low?

For the most tender, fall-apart results, cook boneless beef ribs for 7 to 8 hours on the LOW setting. This gentle, prolonged heat is key to breaking down the tough connective tissues in the meat.

Why are my beef ribs tough in the slow cooker?

The most common reason for tough ribs is simply undercooking. If they seem tough, they likely need more time for the collagen to break down. Give them another hour and check again. Another possibility is that you started with a cut that was too lean; short ribs need that fat marbling to become tender.

How do I cook boneless beef short ribs in a slow cooker?

It’s simple! Just sear the seasoned ribs, place them in the short ribs crock pot, cover them with a flavorful liquid (like our cola and beef broth sauce), and cook on low for 7-8 hours until they are completely tender. The slow cooker does all the work for you.