Today I have a crockpot beef short ribs recipe for you! If you instantly imagine a smokehouse or bbq pit when you think ribs, think again. When slow cooked in a crockpot, beef short ribs are more like tiny little pot roasts. Tender, juicy, and completely effortless. If the idea of tossing ingredients into a slow cooker and forgetting about it for hours appeals to you, then this crockpot beef short ribs recipe is your new BFF.
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I've been holding onto this recipe for quite a while now. I developed this when the weather was chilly, intended to share it with you all, then the summer rolled in, and a keto crockpot recipe didn't seem to fit. Now that things are cooling off and everyone is busting out their slow cookers, there's no time like the present. I've also had time to test and tweak the flavors and ingredients a little more than usual, so this beef short ribs recipe is damn near perfection. If you try it out, let me know in the comments below!
The Crockpot Beef Short Ribs Recipe
Brown your beef short ribs in a skillet before putting them in a crockpot, this will create a beautiful caramelized surface that adds extra texture and flavor to the meat.
In the bottom of the crockpot, combine softened cream cheese, beef broth, mushrooms, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. This mixture is going to be the base of the creamy mushroom sauce that coats your spare ribs; if you have any other flavors or spices to add, nows your chance!
Add the browned beef short ribs to the crockpot. You can just place them on top of the cream cheese mixture at this point. As the beef short ribs cook, the fat will render, and the drippings will melt into all the ingredients underneath. AKA even more flavor. So freaking delicious, you guys!
Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. About 1-2 hours in, you can stir the contents of the slow cooker all together to coat the ribs and evenly distribute the sauce. Enjoy your new favorite crockpot beef short ribs recipe!
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef short ribs
- 3 oz cream cheese softened
- ½ cup beef broth
- 2 cups white mushrooms
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Brown beef short ribs in a skillet.
- Combine cream cheese, beef broth, mushrooms, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a crockpot.
- Place beef short ribs on top of the mixture in the slow cooker.
- Cover with lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours, gently mixing every 1-2 hours.
Nutrition
Hi, I'm Tasha–nutritionist, recipe developer, and multi-published cookbook author.
Alicia says
Can i make this in a dutch oven?
Tasha Metcalf says
Definitely!
Steph says
How long to cook in the oven and also at what temperature?
Sarah says
I made these tonight and they were amazing! Excited to try more of your recipes! Thank you!
Tasha Metcalf says
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! <3
Michele says
Did you use boneless or bone-in ribs?
Lisa says
by the looks of the pictures, I'm going to go out on a limb and say bone-in.
Eryn says
Can I use back ribs for this recipe?
Claire says
My sauce was not as thick as the one in the picture.
Lynne says
Delicious!
christina welsh says
have you ever tried this in a pressure cooker like an Instant pot?
thanks
Tasha Metcalf says
I use my instant pot all the time for short ribs, but often don't have much luck with creamy sauces when I've tried. I'm sure there's a way, but this one, in particular, ends up more watery than creamy in a pressure cooker. Still tasty, but the sauce is definitely thin. In a slow cooker, the liquid has the ability to cook off and reduce while the pressure cooker traps it inside. Hope that helps!
Dianne says
Looking good. Will try these soon while I work, they will cook. I will let you know.
MP says
Hi! This looks so good. We have a severe mushroom allergy in the family, what would you recommend subbing for the mushrooms?
Tasha Metcalf says
I know it sounds a little weird, but if you slow cook radishes in the crockpot they soak up the flavor of the other ingredients and soften up like potatoes. The texture is really spot on to slow cooked potato and they don't taste like radishes one bit. If you can't do mushrooms, you could give that a try! Radishes are one of my favorites in a slow cooker and super low in carbs.
You could leave the mushrooms out altogether without a substitute and I'm sure it would be quite tasty without!
Debbie Florio says
This was amazing! Although I made a few minor additions (pinch of time and a pinch of rosemary) , and deglazed the pan with a few tablespoons of wine, this would still be incredible as written. I have to please my husband who is not on a keto diet and he loved it as well, I just added some white rice for him; and he was blown away. This will definitely be one of those faves that you crave.
Laura Auletta says
Wow! I couldn't imagine the cream cheese making a good sauce. I was so wrong. Delicious. I'd make this whether on keto diet or not. In the regular rotation, for sure!
Andi says
What about the fat that collects on top from the ribs? Do you spoon that off?
Ayn says
These are just so amazing! I mean, AMAZING! Following the recipe to the letter, I repeated it with country pork ribs as well. The gravy was a little thinner with the country pork ribs, so I reduced the liquid by simmering about 10 minutes. Both are worthy of any dinner with guests-but, it’s great as a gift to yourself. My DH was so pleased that he asked for more—not a common request, as he is not a big eater. I will be using this as a go-to from now on. Thank you for such a simple, yet dynamic feast! Keto has transformed my life and your creativity with food inspires me! Blessings.
Tasha Metcalf says
Yay! So glad you and your family enjoyed the recipe! You really can't go wrong with short ribs! 😋
Ayn says
These were amazing—will try radishes next time in addition to the mushrooms! I love my new Keto lifestyle and the real me underneath years of sorrow. Thank you for an awesome recipe!
pav says
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but do I slice or chop the mushrooms or do they go in whole?
erin says
This was soooo good! And almost better as leftovers. I wanted to use what I had on hand- so unfortunately did not have mushrooms. I used white onions instead, and chicken bone broth, and it is still really excellent! Also my shortribs were without the bone. I let it cook for 6 hours in the slow cooker on low and i have to say - these are perfect with some keto cauliflower mash!! 🙂 Thank you!
Michelle says
What temp would you use if slow cooking in the oven?
Michelle says
What would you pair for a side with this? I will be feeding people who are Keto and not Keto!
Tasha Metcalf says
You could try sautéed veggies or a puree/mash. If you like cauliflower mash, you could serve that with the sauce on top like gravy. Or you could try rice, maybe? Cauliflower rice for you with a pot of grain rice for your guests?
Gloria Salvetti says
Made this today for a friend tonight ... sauce def separating and not white. I'm thinking I will skim off some fat and then blend sauce with a little more cream cheese. Anyone got any other ideas?? Thanks.
Carrie says
I’m going to try with boneless, are there any changes you would recommend?
Polina says
This. Is. SPECTACULAR. Made this for the second time the other day, and we just cannot get enough. The first time, I could not find any short ribs with the bone in at any store near me, so I ended up making it with boneless short ribs, and it was delicious. The second time, with the bone in, the flavor was even more rich and delicious. Perfect on a cold late fall/winter day, and refrigerates/reheats perfectly. Thank you for this recipe! I am definitely working this into my regular rotation from now on. Melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness!
CHRISTIAN A MOYENO says
Can you make this in the oven and if so how long and what temperature? Thanks
John says
Just getting familiar with the Keto diet, but I am going to try this for dinner tomorrow, I will share my results
Teresa Roster says
Made this tonight! It was yummy. I cooked some cabbage in butter and put this on the cabbage. I did have to simmer the gravy for just a bit to thicken. This is a keeper at our house!!
Susan says
Made this last night - bravo - this recipe is amazing!! Only change was I added a couple of shallots. Total yum.
Jenna Marsala says
Can you make this on the stovetop? Would there be a time adjustment?
Megan says
Hello! This recipe looks get but I am new to keto and am trying to read all the nutritional info. How many servings is the nutritional info meant for? Like 1 rib?
Kelly says
i don’t like mushrooms what could be a replacement?
Souschef says
I wonder how you came up with the name for your site.....ketogasm....i might be spending more time in the kitchen after THIS explanation!!
Don Bowman says
Would or could one add heavy cream to the sauce?
Moonshadow says
I just made this with bone-in short ribs and substituted half of the mushrooms with a mix of white onions and radishes. I liked it all. I served it with cauliflower mash but if you are trying to fool someone and make them think they are potatoes, don't try to do it without a food processor. A mixer just doesn't mash the cauliflower or the garlic enough. But I loved them with the mushroom sauce on them! Whole steamed green beans are a great thing to serve on the side.
Tasha Metcalf says
That sound so good! I think I know what I'm making for dinner tonight! 😍
Zack says
Love how simple this is. I actually soaked my ribs in wine and salt for a couple hours, prior to searing. Really added an extra level to the whole thing! Thanks for adding a new staple to the catalog!!!
karen alsum says
When you use radishes do you peel them first?
Tasha Metcalf says
I do not peel them first, I leave the skin on, trim them down if needed, and scrub really well. 🙂
Joe says
Can you substitute Bella Mushrooms for white?
Tasha Metcalf says
Absolutely!
Phyllis says
These are delicious. Recipe also works well with need stew and pork chops.😘
Phyllis Wright says
I've made this a number of times. I've used short ribs, pork chops, steak and today I'm trying beef neck bones, it is always delicious, the meat tender. I also cook it in the oven on 250 for 3 1/2 hours. Thanks for a phenomenal recipe.
Tasha Metcalf says
I'm happy to hear the recipe has inspired so many meals. Sounds absolutely delicious!