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    Home » Main Dishes » Slow Cooker Hawaiian Short Ribs

    Slow Cooker Hawaiian Short Ribs

    Published: Nov 27, 2023 by Linda Warren

    Jump to Recipe

    Juicy, tender, flavorful and easy. That's everything these Slow Cooker Hawaiian Short Ribs are and then some! Put the short ribs and seasonings in the crockpot early in the day and come home to a delicious dinner and a house that smells mouthwatering.

    Tender fall apart short ribs in serving bowl.

    FYI - This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All links are products I use when making my recipes.

    Table of Contents

    • Easy Crockpot Meals with Beef
    • Why You'll Love This Slow Cooker Hawaiian Ribs Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Hawaiian Short Ribs in a Slow Cooker
    • Recipe Variations
    • What to Serve with Hawaiian Beef Short Ribs
    • More Crockpot Dinner Recipes for Busy Days

    Easy Crockpot Meals with Beef

    Crock pot cooking is a lifesaver for busy families that want delicious meals with minimal fuss, and beef dishes are no exception. The slow cooking process allows the beef to become incredibly tender, infusing the meal with rich, savory flavors.

    One of the most delicious and least costly crockpot meals with beef is the classic Crock Pot Cube Steak. Simply toss the beef with flour and brown then place it in the crockpot and let it simmer on low heat for 5-6 hours.

    A bite of Hawaiian short ribs served over cheesy polenta.

    Another option for busy weeknights or even company is a Crockpot Eye of Round Roast. The long, slow cook melds the flavors together, creating a robust and comforting dish that's perfect for a chilly evening. Or try Crockpot Ropa Vieja for a little Cuban flavor. Whatever you choose, you’ll come home to a hearty, tender, and flavorful meal that's ready when you are.

    Why You'll Love This Slow Cooker Hawaiian Ribs Recipe

    Easy Dump and Go - There's no need to marinate or sear the meat. Just put everything in the crockpot, turn it on, and let it slowly cook the ribs until they're done.

    Great for a special weeknight meal.

    Braised short ribs are fall-apart tender and infused with the flavors from the cooking sauce and seasonings.

    Some cuisines, such as Asian, just don’t work as well in a slow cooker and it's better to stir fry anyway. However, this recipe for boneless short ribs is melt-in-your-mouth delicious and just the right type of dish for a slow cooker. Slow cooking tenderizes the meat and gives it incredible flavor.

    Ingredients

    Here's what you need to make Hawaiian braised short ribs:

    Ingredients for slow cooker short ribs.
    • Boneless beef short ribs - it can be one large short rib (I bought mine from a butcher) or 4 separate short ribs (see notes for how to cook with bone-in)
    • Soy sauce
    • Light brown sugar
    • Honey
    • Chinese 5-Spice powder
    • Fresh garlic

    How to Make Hawaiian Short Ribs in a Slow Cooker

    Prep steps for short ribs.
    1. Place short ribs into a crock pot.
    2. Mix the remaining ingredients and pour over the beef ribs.
    3. Slow cook for 6 hours on low.
    4. Flip over halfway through cooking time.
    Pulling apart short ribs with tongs to show tendersness.

    The short ribs are done when they fall apart when you lift them out of the slow cooker. Just look at that tender meat! (drool)

    Crockpot short ribs with pineapple rice and green beans.

    I like to serve my Hawaiian short ribs over cheesy polenta or with pineapple rice and green beans. See options for other sides below.

    Recipe Variations

    • Crispy - Place the ribs on a sheet pan and broil them for about 5 minutes after cooking to give them a crispy touch.
    • Ribs - Use pork baby back ribs or spare ribs instead of beef short ribs. If using pork ribs, be sure to pull the silver membrane off the back before placing the ribs in the slow cooker.
    • Spicy - Add 2 tablespoons of sriracha.
    • With Pineapple - Add 1 to 2 cups of chopped fresh pineapple in the last hour of cooking.

    What to Serve with Hawaiian Beef Short Ribs

    • Pasta - Fettuccine, Pappardelle, Bucatini or Orzo. These 3-Ingredient Egg Noodles also work well.
    • Potatoes - Roasted potatoes or creamy mashed potatoes.
    • Polenta - Plain or Smoked Gouda Polenta
    • Quinoa - Plain or butternut squash quinoa.
    • Rice - White, jasmine, pineapple, or brown rice.
    • Salad - Simple green or Caesar salad.
    • Vegetables - Air Fryer Green Beans, Roasted Broccoli, or Yellow Squash Casserole.

    More Crockpot Dinner Recipes for Busy Days

    • Slow Cooker Beer Braised Short Ribs
    • Crockpot Pork Thai Style
    • Crockpot French Dip
    • Crockpot Lemon Pepper Chicken

    Find lots of easy slow cooker recipes right here on 2CM!

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    Beef short ribs with pineapple rice in bowl.

    Slow Cooker Hawaiian Short Ribs

    These Slow Cooker Hawaiian Short Ribs are juicy, tender, flavorful & oh so easy! Make it in the morning and dinner will be ready & waiting.
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    Print Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 6 hours hours
    Total Time: 6 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 450kcal
    Author: Linda Warren

    Equipment

    • Crock Pot

    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds boneless beef short ribs
    • ⅓ cup soy sauce (use Tamari for gluten-free diet)
    • 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
    • 1 Tablespoon honey
    • ½ teaspoon Chinese 5-Spice powder
    • 3 teaspoons minced garlic

    Instructions

    • Place the short ribs in the slow cooker.
    • Combine the remaining ingredients in a small bowl and stir well.
    • Pour the sauce over the short ribs.
    • Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or on high for about 4 hours. Flip the short ribs half way through cooking time and right before serving to coat with sauce.

    Notes

    Note: You can use bone-in short ribs as well. For the same amount of servings use 4 pounds of bone-in ribs and double the sauce ingredients.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 450kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 134mg | Sodium: 1230mg | Potassium: 866mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 6mg

    This post has been updated with new photos, step-by-step directions, and more helpful information. It was first posted March 9, 2014.

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    Hey, I’m Linda, the recipe creator, photographer and cocktail lover at 2 Cookin Mamas. Here you’ll find easy recipes that are not only delicious but can get you out of the kitchen ASAP. Come and join me and let me take you on a tasty trip through your kitchen. Thanks for stopping by! Learn more about me

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