Sticky Korean Slow Cooker Beef Ribs

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4.96 from 23 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 8 hours
Total: 8 hours 15 minutes
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This Slow Cooker Beef Ribs recipe is one of the best slow cooker recipes of all time! The thick, rich, sticky sauce is irresistible.

Slow Cooker beef ribs on a white plate.

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About Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs

Baby back ribs are super easy to do in the crock pot. Although this recipe takes 8 hours, the slow cooker does most of the work to make them fall off the bone good!

Why This Ribs in the Slow Cooker Recipe is a Keeper

We love these slow cooker short ribs so much because the sticky sauce is so good and it’s something different than regular old bbq sauce ribs.

  • Easy Ingredients: You’ll have to run to the store for some ingredients but you’ll be happy you did.
  • Family Friendly: Everyone in the family is going to fall in love with these Korean inspired ribs.
  • Adaptable: This recipe is easy to adapt to your family’s dietary needs and liking.

If you’re looking for more Korean inspired recipes, try these Korean Pork Chops, Korean Sticky Wings and Korean Short Ribs

Ingredient Notes for Slow Cooker Short Ribs

ribs, sticky sauce oil and spices.
  • Fresh Ginger: Taking the time to grate fresh ginger really adds to the flavor of this meal.
  • Gochujang: Gochujang is a Korean chili paste!

See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.

Variations and Substitutions for Crock Pot Beef Short Ribs in Homemade Barbecue Sauce

  • Smoked Salt: Using smoked salt gives whatever you use it in a smoky flavor!

How to Make Baby Back Ribs in Crock Pot

This recipe takes some time but it’s well worth it! Making ribs if a wonderful dinner. You will love this recipe. Let us know if you used this recipe for slow cooked short ribs.

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These are the basic steps for making Sticky Korean Slow Cooker Beef Ribs. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.

Four pictures of different types of seasonings in a glass bowl for Slow Cooker sticky Korean Beef Ribs.

STEP 1: Rub the Ribs on all sides

Mix together brown sugar, paprika, chili and garlic powder, ginger, and salt and pepper. Spread rub evenly over both sides of rib racks. Add the short ribs to the slow cooker cooker and stand ribs on their side and wrap around the sides of the slow cooker.

STEP 2: Sauce & Cook

Mix together sauce ingredients, leaving out the cornstarch, water and gochujang. Pour 1 cup of the sauce into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until ribs are tender.

STEP 3: Make Sticky Sauce

Meanwhile, pour remaining sauce into a sauce pan; bring to a boil. Add gochujang to sauce pan.

A series of photos showing how to make sausage in the crock pot using a slow cooker.

STEP 4: Make Gravy

Mix together the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Pour cornstarch mixture into the boiling sauce. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until sauce thickens. When ribs are done, preheat the broiler.

STEP 5: Broil

Once the beef ribs are tender, remove them from the slow cooker and place on a foiled lined baking sheet and broil until they start to sizzle. Brush on a thick layer of the sauce and broil again until sticky. Serve remaining on the side for dipping.

A series of photos showing how to cook chicken in a slow cooker.

Recipe FAQs for Crockpot Beef Short Ribs

Spare ribs are a type of ribs. They’re cut from the bottom of the rib cage while baby back ribs are cut from the top by the backbone. You could also use boneless ribs.

These tender ribs can go with so many things! Try pairing them with fried rice, mashed potatoes, red wine and steamed veggies this recipe is awesome.

Store leftover ribs in an airtight container in the fridge for just a few days. I like to reheat in the oven until they’re warm all the way through.

Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Ribs on a Baking Sheet with Sauce.

Expert Tips to Make This Easy Amazing Short Ribs Slow Cooker Recipe

  • Make in Advance: Make the ingredients 24 hours in advance and have ready to go for when you want to make these beef short ribs. It is one of the best recipes and you will be so glad that you found this recipe.
  • Other Meat: Go ahead and make the sauce and try it on other things such as chicken or pork. Try this recipe.
  • Make spicier: To make it spicier try adding in more chili paste.
  • Barbecue Sauce: If you end up not liking the Korean sticky sauce, go ahead an opt for your favorite bbq sauce for this great recipe.
  • Red Wine to Deglaze the Pan: Add ½ cup red wine to deglaze. For even more flavor and creates a red wine sauce.

What to Serve with this Slow Cooker Beef Ribs Recipe 

Slow Cooker beef ribs on a white plate.

Sticky Korean Slow Cooker Beef Ribs

4.96 from 23 votes
This Slow Cooker Beef Ribs recipe is one of the best slow cooker recipes of all time! The thick, rich, sticky sauce is irresistible.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time : 15 minutes
Cook Time : 8 hours
Total Time : 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Author: Christina Hitchcock

Equipment

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Ingredients
  

  • 4 pounds Baby back ribs, 2 racks

Rub

Sauce

Instructions
 

  • Mix together rub ingredients.
  • Spread rub evenly over both sides of rib racks.
  • Stand ribs on their side and wrap around the sides of the slow cooker.
  • Mix together sauce ingredients, leaving out the cornstarch, water and gochujang.
  • Pour 1 cup of of the sauce into the slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until ribs are tender.
  • Meanwhile, pour remaining sauce into a sauce pan; bring to a boil.
  • Add gochujang to sauce pan.
  • Mix together the cornstarch and water.
  • Pour cornstarch mixture into the boiling sauce.
  • Reduce heat to medium and simmer until sauce thickens.
  • When ribs are done, preheat the broiler.
  • Place ribs on a foiled lined baking sheet and broil until they start to sizzle.
  • Brush on a thick layer of the sauce and broil again until sticky.
  • Serve remaining on the side for dipping.

Christina’s Notes

  • Make in Advance: Make the ingredients 24 hours in advance and have ready to go for when you want to make these beef short ribs.
  • Other Meat: Go ahead and make the sauce and try it on other things such as chicken or pork.
  • Make spicier: To make it spicier try adding in more chili paste.
  • Barbecue Sauce: If you end up not liking the Korean sticky sauce, go ahead an opt for your favorite bbq sauce.
Helpful Tips for All RecipesThese quick tips will help you get perfect results every time.

  • Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
  • Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
  • Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
  • Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
  • Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.

For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.

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Nutrition

Calories: 1025kcalCarbohydrates: 94gProtein: 60gFat: 47gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 197mgSodium: 3645mgPotassium: 1111mgFiber: 2gSugar: 81gVitamin A: 1231IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 163mgIron: 4mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. It is recommended that you verify this information with your own trusted resource.
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