Red Wine Pomegranate Slow Cooker Short Ribs – Seriously, these are too good and too easy not to make!
Hubs and I finally had a date night. It was the first time we had been out without the boys in months. I had the inspiration for these slow cooker short ribs after visiting a local restaurant that night. They had a Short Rib recipe as an appetizer that they served with blue cheese polenta. Hubs doesn’t like blue cheese so I knew that wouldn’t work. He loved the short ribs so that’s what I wanted to focus on.
I actually have another short rib recipe that is cooked in the oven. It’s crazy good, but I wanted something I could fix and forget so I tried using the slow cooker. I worked like a charm!
Red Wine Pomegranate Slow Cooker Short Ribs
These ribs are tender and succulent. This is an easy recipe that yields a hearty, rich dinner.
My whole purpose for using a slow cooker was to have a hands-off experience and, quite honestly, my kids are driving me nuts keeping me busy this summer. I don’t have time to baby-sit a three-hour dinner!
How to sear meat
To get a rich brown crust on meat, you need to brown it in a hot pan. Searing caramelizes the sugars and browns the proteins present in meat. It results in a more appealing color and richer flavor.
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- You can sear all kinds of meat. I usually sear meat that is tougher and requires a long cook time.
- Allow the meat to sit out at room temperature for a while before searing and the moisture will be reabsorbed into the meat.
- Season the meat with salt and pepper, this sticks to the meat and flavors the crust.
- If you have marinated or brined the meat, do not add salt before searing.
- If you marinade had sugar in it be careful when searing. The sugar burns quickly.
- Make sure when searing to use a very hot pan. If the pan is cool, the meat can stick and tear.
- If you use a fatty cut of meat, like a roast or short ribs, you don’t need to add oil to the pan. However, if you use a leaner cut, like pork roast or loin, you need to add 1 to 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the pan before searing
- The method for adding oil will be: get your pan hot then add the oil. Once the oil ripples immediately add the meat before the oil begins to smoke.
More…
After browning the meat, I simply added the meat to the slow cooker where I had already added the other ingredients. I set the temperature on low and let it cook for 7 hours. It was perfect when Hubs got home!
I like to serve short ribs with Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Basic Risotto, or Slow Cooker Cheese Grits.
You may also like my Best Damn Short Ribs or Molasses Pomegranate Braised Short Ribs recipe. The video below is the Best Damn Short Ribs recipe.
Red Wine Pomegranate Slow Cooker Short Ribs
Ingredients
- 3 pounds beef short ribs
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
- 1 large onion cut into quarters
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 and ½ cup pomegranate juice
- 1 cup red wine I use Cabernet Sauvignon
- ⅓ cup beef stock
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon ground red pepper
Instructions
- Heat a heavy bottom pot or Dutch oven on medium high heat.
- Sprinkle short ribs with salt and pepper and 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Once the pan is hot, add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the short ribs.
- Sear meat on every side. It may take 1 minute per side.
- Meanwhile, add onion, garlic, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, pomegranate juice, red wine, beef stock, thyme, rosemary, and red pepper to slow cooker.
- Remove short ribs from pan and place in slow cooker.
- Cook on low 7 to 8 hours or high 4 to 5 hours. Time will depend on size of rib and how many you have in pan. Test with a fork. I like them to be falling off the bone.
Notes
Nutrition
See all my time-saving slow cooker recipes.
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Queen says
Hello! What kind of red wine should i use? Cabernet?
Paula says
Yes, I like Cabernet Sauvignon. It doesn’t have to be a crazy expensive one, but I cook with wine that I’d drink.
Amy says
These were delish! HH liked a lot! I used chicken stock instead of beef because that’s what I had on hand. Also added about 3 Tbs. Balsamic. Skipped the pomegranate juice. Increased wine.
Melanie M says
I’m making these tomorrow and just realized I bought boneless shortribs instead of bone-in, which it definitely looks like yours are bone-in from the pictures. Do you think I should increase the sauce or just follow the recipe as is? The recipe looks divine!!!
Mary says
Just a quick question on the recipe: What exactly is ‘4 tablespoons cup’ brown sugar? Is this 4T or 4T plus 1 cup? I’m thinking it’s just 4T, but I want to make sure I have all of the ingredients correct before I make this. Thank you!
Paula says
oh geez, sorry about that, sometimes I look at a recipe for so long, I can’t see the errors. It is 4 tablespoons. I corrected it in the recipe. Thanks for letting me know! Hope you enjoy it, Mary.
Jennifer says
What can I use instead of red wine, more beef stock? Family doesn’t drink so we never have wine on hand!
Paula says
Yes, add an extra 1 cup beef stock or you can do 1/2 pomegranate juice and 1/2 beef stock. Hope you love them!
Adeline says
OH ,,,my gosh what a beautiful picture !!
I’ve got to make these ribs soon….I’m drooling
thanks
Paula says
They’re my fav! Thanks for stopping by!
mila furman says
This looks absolutely amazing!! So heavenly! Thanks for participating in our #Foodie Fridays linky party!!! I got you as one of my faves in my weekly round up!!!
Paula says
Thank you so much! I’ll pop over and help promote!
Julie @ This Gal Cooks says
Holy cow these look crazy freaking amazing, Paula! Like get in my face now! Pinned and sharing on FB. Have a great weekend! 🙂
Paula says
Thanks so much Julie! They’re so flavorful!
Kelly says
This looks fantastic Paula! I am always looking for new ideas for slow cooker meals and love the flavors in here! Pinning 🙂
Paula says
Thanks so much Kelly! Hope you’re doing well! Miss talking to you!
Michele @ Alwayzbakin says
That looks amazing! Found you from Weekend Re-Treat. Going to save this recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Paula says
Thanks so much Michele! Hope you love it, thanks for stopping by !
Melinda @Home.Made.Interest says
Stopping by from Weekend re-Treat. This looks delicious! Pinning!
Paula says
Thanks so much! It’s oe of my family’s favorites. thanks for sharing, Melinda.
Matt Robinson says
These are incredible, Paula, love the flavors!!!
Paula says
Thanks so much Matt! Have a great day!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
This looks so good!! I love meats made like this…definitely going to try it!
Paula says
Thanks Michelle, I’m not a huge meat fan, but I do love this! The flavors are outstanding.
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
They were so good! No leftovers, and got a thumbs up from every single one of my kids and my husband too! 🙁 If you have a moment, I would love for you to link this one up with us at Foodie Fridays!
Peter @Feed Your Soul Too says
These look great and I absolutely love short ribs. They are an underrated cut of meat.
Paula says
I agree, Peter! Thanks for stopping by !
Beth @ The First Year says
My stomach is growling Paula.. invite me over for dinner?!
Paula says
Come on, Beth!! I have plenty!
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
Loving the flavors in these short ribs, Paula! And I have never tried making short ribs in my slow cooker yet… I definitely need to try this! 🙂
Pinned & sharing.
Paula says
Put them in and walk away, Carrie 🙂 that’s the best!
janelle says
This sounds like such a great combination of flavors. And I love you can slow cook it.
Paula says
Thanks Janelle!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
I have never made short ribs at home, but I LOVE them at restaurants. This is the perfect meal for my next date night! Pinned!
Paula says
Thanks so much Taylor. They are def a special occasion treat! Thanks for sharing!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
My mouth is watering! This is like a restaurant quality meal. Yum 🙂
Paula says
I’m in love with it and I usually can take or leave beef. Thanks for stopping by!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I’ve never made short ribs at home before. I love anything that I can do in the slow cooker! Such a time saver and always tender meat 🙂
Paula says
I agree, love a slow cooker meal! These are sooooo tasty!