Slow Cooker Boneless Beef Ribs Recipe
Not all beef ribs need a grill! The slow cooker is the perfect tool to try this Boneless Beef Ribs Recipe from the comfort and ease of your own kitchen. If you have ever wanted to try cooking ribs but were intimidated by the varieties and portions, Slow Cooker Boneless Beef Ribs is your solution for tender mouthwatering beef in just a few simple steps.
Why choose boneless beef ribs for the slow cooker?
If you’re unfamiliar with beef cuts, it can be overwhelming when trying to understand which pieces to buy! Let me put on my butcher’s apron for a moment to help explain why boneless beef ribs work so well in the slow cooker.
Beef rib meat can come from several areas of the cow and will be connected to… a rib bone. That may seem obvious, but with 13 different ribs from the shoulder to the prime rib, the meat will vary significantly! Rib meat starts out tougher because of all the connective tissue and it can become very tender if cooked low and slow.
One type of beef ribs is boneless beef ribs. Within boneless beef ribs, there are several types as well. Girls Can Grill explains each of these best here!
Boneless beef short ribs come from the chuck (shoulder) area. I used boneless beef short ribs in this recipe which cook so well in the slow cooker! Country style ribs are another similar option – but they are actually portions of meat that are cut to resemble rib meat (not actual rib meat).
Rib meat from the chuck area will have lots of marbling (fat) and connective tissues. Boneless meat will cook faster than bone-on, however, the slow cooker can keep the ribs at a lower temperature for a longer time to reach incredible tenderness. The beef ribs won’t dry out or become too tough cooked this way.
Ingredients Needed
Add this boneless beef ribs recipe to your “simple ingredients” menu plan! Just 4 easy items for your list and you can make easy swaps as you like!
You’ll need:
Boneless beef ribs – In this recipe, I chose boneless short ribs for rich flavor and lots of meatiness since they come from the chuck (shoulder) area. These may also just be called boneless chuck ribs and they can be pricier than options. You could also use another type of boneless beef ribs or country style boneless pork ribs.
Easy Homemade BBQ Rub – This BBQ seasoning blend will take your meat from basic to super-flavorful! I highly recommend mixing this up in a large batch so that you can store and use it in many dishes. The sweetness of the BBQ seasoning is the perfect addition to beef ribs.
Teriyaki sauce – Choose a teriyaki sauce from a wide range of flavors from spicy to sweet. Many teriyaki sauces do use soy sauce in the mix, so be sure to look for a gluten-free version if that’s what you need.
BBQ sauce – Again, so many flavor options here! Depending on what you’d like to serve with your ribs, you might choose your favorite local-style BBQ sauce or one with an added twist like pineapple or honey.
How To Make Boneless Beef Ribs In The Slow Cooker
This super-simple boneless beef ribs recipe requires almost no prep at all! Set up the recipe in the slow cooker at the beginning of the day or put everything in the pot on a lunch break and they will still be ready in time for dinner!
First, add ribs to the slow cooker. Try to lay them out as evenly as you can.
Next, sprinkle the ribs with the Homemade BBQ Rub. Mix the teriyaki sauce and BBQ sauce together and pour over the meat in the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
Optional step: When you are ready to plate, add a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley.
Recipe Variations
One reason I can appreciate an uncomplicated slow cooker meat recipe is the simplicity of meeting all sorts of dietary requirements and preferences. When you have a great method for cooking quality meat, you can enjoy so many different variations to make a healthy meal that meets everyone’s needs – and desires!
This recipe is very flexible. Try switching up seasonings, sauces, or even the meat in this recipe.
- Seasoning options to try: Italian, garlic and herb, all-purpose, or steak seasoning
- Sauces to try: plain BBQ, spicy BBQ, soy and BBQ, or pineapple juice and BBQ
- Even try different types of boneless beef ribs or country style boneless pork ribs
What to Serve With Boneless Beef Ribs
You could choose just about any favorite side to serve with these BBQ-flavored ribs. Pick a carb and vegetable and you have a well-rounded meal!
Some of my favorite sides to serve with BBQ and teriyaki flavors are some type of potatoes like Slow Cooker Cheesy Mashed Potatoes or Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes. Add in a roasted veggie like Spicy Brussels Sprouts or another slow cooker dish like Honey BBQ Baked Beans and you’re set!
A tangy coleslaw or macaroni salad would be tasty options for cold, picnic-style sides as well. As an option, top with fresh chopped parsley!
Storing and Reheating
This would be a great simple protein to make for lunch portions throughout your week. Pair with some vegetable sides and you have a healthy lunch prepped for the next few days!
Keep your leftovers in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the beef ribs in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
To reheat individual servings, use the microwave for short increments, or warm through in a skillet on low to medium heat. If you reheat from frozen, allow extra time to defrost in the refrigerator.
Boneless Beef Ribs FAQs
- Are boneless beef ribs the same as short ribs? The answer is yes – and no! Boneless beef ribs CAN be short ribs (like the ones I used in this recipe), but some boneless beef ribs are other cuts – such as country style ribs or plate ribs.
- What’s the ideal internal temperature for perfectly cooked boneless beef ribs? For fall-apart-tender, almost shreddable meat, I like to cook them to 205 ℉. Cooking them at this temperature allows the connective tissue and fat to break down and reduce toughness.
- Can other cooking methods be used for boneless beef ribs? The Instant Pot would be a great option to achieve similar tender results, without risking overcooking or toughness through other methods. To make in the Instant Pot, set to high pressure and cook for 20 minutes.
- Why are my boneless beef ribs chewy? If the ribs are still chewy you probably haven’t cooked them long enough. Try adding an extra 30 minutes and testing the internal temperature to see if they have reached 205 ℉.
Slow Cooker Boneless Beef Ribs Recipe
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless beef ribs
- 1 tablespoon Easy Homemade BBQ Rub
- ¼ cup teriyaki sauce
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Add ribs to slow cooker
- Sprinkle with seasoning
- Mix together teriyaki sauce and BBQ sauce and pour over meat
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours
Notes
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze individual portions in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
- Reheat individual servings in the microwave or in a skillet on low to medium heat until just warmed through.
