Korean Short Ribs

By On Apr 23, 2023

These bone-in Korean short ribs are sticky savory perfection! This recipe is as simple as searing your ribs and tossing them in a sauce and into the crock pot. The result is tender and flavorful meat that will have you coming back for seconds and thirds!

I am a sucker for a simple crock pot meat dish. Sometimes it can be intimidating to cook something over the grill or stove. You don’t want to mess it up or dry it out. I have full confidence in my crock pot, and love that I can develop delicious flavors with little effort. If you love your crock pot too, you’ve got to try these easy Crock Pot Pork Chops, this Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken, and this Slow Cooker Beef Brisket.

Crock Pot Korean Short Ribs

This Korean short rib recipe is absolutely dreamy! I served this for a friend lunch the other day and every single person left with the recipe and one of them has made it again already! I promise once you try this recipe you will be thinking about making it again too! These short ribs are fall-off the bone goodness with a sticky sweet and savory sauce that can’t be beat. Serve it with some instant pot white rice and stir fry veggies, or even on top of garlic sesame noodles! So let’s talk about this recipe.

There is really nothing to it, because you are using your slow cooker for this one! The slow cooker makes it so easy to get tender and juicy meat with tons of flavor. The sauce is the key to this recipe. It’s full of all of your favorite Asian flavors that combine into the ultimate bbq-like sauce. Below I share some suggestions for ingredient substitutions if you need them. I love this recipe because it’s simple and delicious!

Ingredients

All you need is short ribs and potatoes and carrots. The rest of the ingredients are for the sauce! If you wanted to take a huge short cut you could use your favorite Asian bbq sauce instead, but I don’t think anything tastes as good as this homemade blend. Another ingredient I often add to my Korean short ribs is ginger! Add as much fresh ginger as you like to this sauce. You can find the measurements below in the recipe card.

Short Ribs: I talk about what kind you will want to purchase below in the recipe box.
Baby Potatoes: You could also use another variety of potato and cut them up into small pieces.
Carrots: This adds a lot of flavor to the sauce and extra nutrients.
Sesame Seeds: For flavor on top of the ribs.

Sauce

White Onion: They are sweet and savory and add a ton of flavor to the sauce.
Garlic: A must in this recipe. Fresh garlic cloves minced.
Sweet Red Apple: Cored, peeled, and sliced. You could use an Asian pear instead.
Beef Stock: Beef broth is preferred, but you could use vegetable stock instead.
Soy Sauce: This just wouldn’t be the same without soy sauce! Salt and super umami, it brings this sauce to life.
Black Vinegar: I love the depth black vinegar add, but you could add rice vinegar or mirin instead. I talk about how to add mirin into this recipe below in the tip box.
Brown Sugar: This helps to balance out all of the salty and savory flavors, and adds a depth of flavor from the molasses.
Sesame Oil: It’s a strong nutty flavor that you will want in this sauce.
Paprika: It’s actually fruity and slightly sweet with a rich color and goes perfectly in this sauce.
Chili Flakes: To add a little heat. Feel free to add more, or additional hot sauce if you like your Korean short ribs spicy.
Black Pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper for added warmth.
Cornstarch: To thicken the sauce.

Korean Short Rib Recipe

This Korean short rib recipe is as simple as it gets! You will want to start it in the morning so that it’s all ready for dinner. Your beef short ribs will need about 8 hours in the slow cooker on low. They will be so soft and flavorful! These aren’t technically Korean BBQ short ribs because you won’t do anything on the grill, but the taste is just as good or better! If you have tried Korean short ribs at a restaurant, then you are going to love making them at home. I love my homemade version even better because I can choose the quality of the ingredients!

Sear Short Ribs: Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and then sear your short ribs on all sides, for just a minute on each side. Then add your short ribs, potatoes, carrots, and sesame seeds to a crockpot.
Make Sauce and Cook in Crock Pot: In a medium bowl, combine all your ingredients for the sauce, except the cornstarch, and then stir to mix. Pour the sauce over your short ribs and vegetables. Then turn your crockpot to low and cover, allow everything to cook for 8 hours.
Add Corn Starch: Once the 8 hours is up, then remove the meat and vegetables from the crockpot. Skim as much of the fatty oil off the top of the sauce as you can, and then add the cornstarch to the liquid and whisk to incorporate evenly. You can trim some fat off the meat at this point as well.
Add Meat and Veggies Back In: Then add the meat and vegetables back to the crockpot and allow it to cook for another 30 minutes. Just to thicken the sauce.
Enjoy: Serve fresh, sprinkled with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

A close up on the short ribs in the slow cooker being pulled apart.

Tips for Making Korean Short Ribs

There are so many ways to make Korean short ribs, you don’t have to stick to my written recipe! You can absolutely make this dish however you like, and here are some tips for making this recipe your own.

Type of Ribs: You will see two types of cuts at the grocery store, English cut and flanken cut. The English cut ribs are the ones you want to purchase for this recipe. They are already cut up into individual ribs and will make it so much easier for you to throw into your slow cooker and eat.
Using Pear Instead of Apple: It is pretty traditional to use an Asian pear in your sauce. You can substitute the apple for pear, or use both if you are in the mood! The fruit adds extra sugar and flavor to the sauce, and you really can’t have too much.
Adding Mirin: I don’t usually have Mirin in my pantry, so I didn’t add any to this recipe. It’s a traditional ingredient in this recipe. Mirin is a type of Asian cooking wine that adds a depth of flavor you won’t believe. Feel free to add 1 or 2 tablespoons of Mirin to this recipe.

A close up on the Korean short ribs on the platter being pulled apart.

Storing Leftovers

These Korean short ribs make absolutely amazing leftovers! They are so so good the next day and reheat easily in the microwave. Here is how to store leftovers.

In the Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.