Using a slow cooker (aka crockpot) is a great way to save some time for holiday prep. This short ribs recipe is so rich and delicious, no one will know you weren’t slaving over a hot stove for hours. Try not to skip the step of browning the meat and veggies before putting into your slow cooker. It will add depth to the meat and vegetables and the overall richness of the sauce. But if you are really pressed for time, just throw it all in there.
The pomegranate molasses adds a traditional, sweet flavor perfect for the New Year. For an extra festive presentation, garnish the short ribs with colorful pomegranate arils (seeds) and fresh parsley or mint (or both!).
Notes:
- This will taste even better if you allow the spice-rubbed short ribs to sit in the fridge covered in plastic wrap a few hours before cooking.
- The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
Crockpot Short Ribs with Pomegranate Molasses
This no-fuss short ribs recipe is so rich and delicious, no one will know you weren’t slaving over a hot stove for hours.
- Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4-6
Ingredients
- 3½ lb bone-in short ribs
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp dried coriander
- ½ tsp sweet paprika
- pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 ribs of celery, diced
- 1 heaping Tbsp tomato paste
- 1½ cups chicken, beef or veal stock
- 1½ cups red wine
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- ⅓ cup pomegranate molasses + extra for serving
- fresh parsley (optional)
- pomegranate arils (optional)
Instructions
- Mix together the cinnamon, coriander, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Place the short ribs on a large plate and rub the spice mix all over the ribs, covering all sides. Allow to sit in the fridge covered in plastic wrap a few hours if you have the time.
- Heat a few Tbsp olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Sear the short ribs on all sides until brown. You will want to do this in batches depending on how many ribs you make.
- When all the ribs have been seared, place them into the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Drain off all oil in pan, except for around 2-3 Tbsp. Add onion and celery to the pan and sauté until translucent, about 4-6 minutes. Add garlic and continue to cook. After a few minutes, add 1 heaping Tbsp tomato paste and cook until the tomato has incorporated into the vegetables.
- Add the cooked vegetables to the slow cooker with the stock, wine, soy sauce and pomegranate molasses. Set your slow cooker for 6 hours on high and allow to cook, ensuring the short ribs are completely covered with liquid.
- When short ribs are finished cooking, garnish an extra drizzle of pomegranate molasses, fresh chopped parsley and pomegranate seeds, if desired.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Rosh Hashanah
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If more liquid is needed to make sure ribs are covered, add more of the stock prior to cooking? So as not to uncover slow cooker during cooking, which would add time to the cooking.
What would you serve this with? Mashed potatoes.
Looks like a great recipe.
Does the meat taste sweet because of the cinnamon and pomegranat molasses?
Pomegranate molasses has a sweet-sour taste, but the amount used won’t make this read “sweet” (though, of course, everyone’s taste buds are different!)
I made this last week. We rubbed in some pomegranate molasses on top of the spice rub, wrapped tightly and refrigerated it for a day before cooking. It was fabulous! Not sweet in the sugary sense. But very flavourful. I’m making it again!