Crockpot Short Ribs with Mashed Potatoes (10 Mins + Slow Cook Time)

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This dish is a testament to the magic of slow cooking, transforming simple ingredients into a tender, savory meal that’s deeply satisfying. Served alongside a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, each forkful offers a taste of homey goodness that’s hard to resist. This recipe is designed for ease and flavor, ideal for a busy day ending with a fulfilling dinner.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours (slow cook)
  • Total Time: 8 hrs, 10 mins
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 pounds beef short ribs
  • 1 pound mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup red wine (optional, can use additional beef broth instead)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 1/2 cup milk (or to desired consistency)
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep Ribs (5 minutes): Season short ribs with salt and pepper.
  2. Layer Ingredients (5 minutes): Place the seasoned short ribs, sliced mushrooms, onion, and garlic in the crockpot.
  3. Mix Cooking Liquids (3 minutes): In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, red wine, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme. Pour the mixture over the ribs and vegetables in the crockpot.
  4. Cook (8 hours): Set your crockpot to low and cook for 8 hours until the meat is tender and falls off the bone.
  5. Make Mashed Potatoes (30 minutes before serving): About 30 minutes before the ribs are done, boil the potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain and return to the pot. Add milk and butter, and mash until smooth and creamy. Season with salt to taste.
  6. Serve (5 minutes): Spoon the creamy mashed potatoes onto plates alongside the short ribs, and ladle over the mushrooms and sauce from the crockpot as desired.

Equipment

Notes

These crockpot short ribs are a hassle-free way to achieve a dinner that tastes like you’ve been slaving away in the kitchen all day. The mushrooms add an earthy depth to the rich, meaty sauce that perfectly complements the velvety mashed potatoes. For an even richer sauce, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with water and stir it into the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

*Please keep in mind that the following nutritional information is based on estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 900
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 500mg
  • Fat: 60g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 50g
  • Cholesterol: 200mg

Pair this with...

Garlicky Sautéed Spinach

Begin with a generous bunch of fresh spinach, giving it a thorough rinse and patting it dry. In a large pan, heat a glug of olive oil until it's shimmering. Toss in finely chopped garlic — the more, the merrier for garlic lovers! Let the garlic sizzle just a bit, releasing its aromatic magic without letting it brown too much. Swiftly add in the spinach, watching as it wilts and soaks up that garlicky goodness. It'll reduce in size dramatically, but that's where the intense flavor comes in. Season with a pinch of salt and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, which brightens up the dish wonderfully. Serve it straight from the pan.

Maple Glazed Green Beans

Begin by trimming your fresh green beans. In a skillet over medium heat, add a splash of olive oil and sauté the beans until they're starting to soften but still have a bit of crunch. Meanwhile, in a separate pan, toast some pine nuts just until they're golden, which will bring out their rich, buttery flavor. Once the green beans are nearly done, drizzle in pure maple syrup to give them a sweet glaze that complements their natural earthiness. Let the syrup caramelize slightly and coat the beans. Add in your toasted pine nuts, toss everything together, and season with a pinch of salt.

Easy Dinner Rolls

Start by combining warm water, yeast, and a bit of sugar in a bowl, letting it sit until it's frothy. In a larger bowl, mix together softened butter, salt, the rest of your sugar, and some milk. Slowly add in flour, mixing until you have a soft dough. Knead this dough on a floured surface until smooth. Place it in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise until doubled in size. Once risen, divide the dough into small balls and arrange them on a baking tray. Let them rise again briefly. Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown. Brush with melted butter right out of the oven for a glossy finish.

For Tomorrow's Dinner

Mushroom Stroganoff (30 Minutes)

Chicken and Chickpea Tagine (24 Minutes)

Honey Lime Grilled Chicken (30 Minutes)

Cilantro Rice with Grilled Chicken and Plantains (50-52 Minutes)

Hi, I'm Alaina! As a busy mom of two, I'm tired of always wondering "what's for dinner?" That's why I created this website; to share easy and tasty recipe ideas the whole family will love. If you're not subscribed yet, join 47,098 others here - thanks for stopping by!