Description
A cozy, flavorful, and hands-off slow cooker recipe for tender, juicy Korean BBQ beef short ribs with a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and a mild kick of heat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 pounds bone-in beef short ribs (flanken-cut preferred)
- 1/2 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (50g)
- 6 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (about 15g)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (15 ml)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (30 ml)
- 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste) (20g) – optional
- 3 stalks green onions, sliced (about 60g)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (9g)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and gochujang (if using) until sugar dissolves and mixture is well blended.
- Pat the beef short ribs dry with paper towels. Add ribs to the marinade and toss thoroughly until every piece is coated. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
- Transfer ribs and marinade into the slow cooker, spreading them out evenly in a mostly single layer.
- Set slow cooker on low and cook for 6 to 8 hours until ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender.
- Carefully transfer ribs to a serving platter. Pour cooking liquid into a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 5-7 minutes to reduce and thicken the sauce if desired.
- Pour sauce over ribs and garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
- Serve with steamed rice or preferred sides such as quick pickled cucumbers or kimchi.
Notes
Marinate ribs for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight for best flavor. Slow cook on low heat for 6-8 hours to achieve fall-off-the-bone tenderness. Optional searing before slow cooking adds smoky flavor but is not necessary. Save and reduce cooking liquid for a thicker sauce. Adjust gochujang amount for desired spice level. Leftovers reheat well in a skillet with a splash of water to loosen sauce. Do not freeze leftovers as texture changes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 35
Keywords: slow cooker, Korean BBQ, beef short ribs, tender ribs, easy dinner, slow cooker ribs, Korean recipe, comfort food