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Crockpot Cider Braised Short Ribs…can we make crockpot Wednesday a thing?
Not going to lie, it seems all I have time for lately is to throw dinner into the crockpot, forget about it all day while I work, and then realize it’s nine o’clock, and um, dinner time!
I feel like a lot of us are in the same boat (while maybe not the nine o’clock dinner part), so more crockpot recipes, right??!
Speaking of being busy, have any of you noticed that we are less than two weeks from Halloween??
I do not even know how that happened, just insane. AND you guys, I haven’t given you a baby goat update since mid-September! Ahh, I think now is the time!
The baby goats are really not tiny babies at all anymore, they’re kind of like teenagers, and growing at rapid speeds. I swear they grow a half an inch per day! I wish they’d just stop getting so big already. New moms, you probably know the feeling…
We’ve talked about selling the boy goats, but trust me, that is NOT happening. Every time I watch all five of the babies playing together, it reminds me that there is no way we can separate them. I mean, I know it’s kind of how life works in the animal world, but not over here. They are just too cute.
In other news, we are currently weaning them off their mom’s milk, since most of them are already eating grass, but it’s kind of a tricky process, and they whine and cry all-day long. Not only is it semi-annoying, but it’s pretty hard to hear, I feel so bad! But in the end, they’ll be better off, and ok, I kind of want all the goat milk to myself…muahahaha 🙂
Ok, leaving the farm now, back to recipes, and crockpot cooking, and THESE Crockpot Cider Braised Short Ribs!
For real though, this is such an awesome fall recipe, and for a few reasons…
…one: nothing beets short ribs that have been cooked low and slow for eight hours. They fall off the bones and are just so darn good!
…two: apples… in a savory way! I was just writing a story for my cookbook manuscript and I mentioned that I loved using apples, not only for baking, but for cooking as well! In fact, I might just like using apples in savory recipes even more. Or well, it’s at least a tie!
…three: browned sage butter mashed potatoes…enough said. 🙂
Obviously, the fact that this recipe is super easy, makes it just that much better!
I do like to sear my short ribs on the stove before adding them to the crockpot, I know it’s kind of a pain, but the added flavor is so worth it! The cider adds a nice sweetness and pairs well with the meaty short ribs. Not to mention, it creates the most perfect sauce to spoon over those mashed potatoes, which yes, have me way too excited for the Thanksgiving feast that is coming up!
Also, I know it’s only Wednesday, but how perfect is this for a Sunday night dinner? I dunno why, but I truly LOVE Sunday night dinners. There’s something so cozy and wonderful about them. This meal feels like the perfect fit!
Whatever day you decide to make this, just know you’re going to love it! OH, and maybe serve it up with a side of bread…or ok maybe salad…ahh no, lets be real, we all want the bread! 🙂
Crockpot Cider Braised Short Ribs with Browned Sage Butter Mashed Potatoes.
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 1274 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 pounds beef short ribs
- kosher salt + pepper
- 1 sweet onion thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 4 cloves garlic minced or grated
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms halved
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped thyme
- 2 Honeycrisp apples chopped
Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
- 4 large Idaho potatoes peeled and quartered (I used Idaho, but you may sub Russet)
- 2-4 cloves garlic peeled (I used 4)
- salt
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 tablespoons butter browned, 1 stick
- 6 leaves sage chopped
Instructions
- Heat a large heavy bottom skillet over medium high-heat. Add the ribs to the skillet and sprinkle with salt + pepper. Sear the ribs on all sides for about 1 minute per side. Remove the ribs from the skillet.
- Arrange the onions on the bottom of your crockpot and sprinkle the brown sugar over them. Add the seared short ribs, garlic, mushrooms, apple cider and thyme.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 5-6 hours. During the last 1-2 hours of cooking, add the apple slices, tossing to combine.
- Once the short ribs are done cooking and easily fall apart, skim off any fat from the top of the crockpot. Lightly shred the ribs and remove and discard the bones. Keep the rib meat in the sauce, covered on low heat until ready to eat.
- About 40 minutes before you’re ready to eat, make the potatoes. In a large pot of cold water, bring the potatoes and garlic to a boil. Salt the water and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes, return the potatoes to the pot and mash over low heat, or mash in the bowl of stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, adding the cream, cheddar cheese, and 2 teaspoons salt.
- In a skillet or small sauce pot, melt the butter over medium heat until just browned. The butter will melt, foam and froth, then begin to brown along the bottom. Whisk browned bits off of the bottom of the pan. Stir in the sage and let cook 30 seconds. Pour the browned butter into the warm mashed potatoes. Taste and season with salt and pepper if desired.
- Divide the mashed potatoes between plates and top with the rib meat. Enjoy!
PS. there’s cheddar in those mashers. Yup!
This sounds amazing! But I don’t have a crockpot suggestions
Thank you so much Gina! xTieghan
This looks amazing!! I’m wondering if you could do this in the Instantpot instead of crockpot?
Hey Gina,
I would recommend following the instant pot instructions for this recipe: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/white-wine-braised-short-ribs/#bo-recipe
I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Tieghan, I just made this on a warm California summer night in June! So, so good! I say, anytime of the year for this and all your recipes. You have a gift and my family loves you and every dish we’ve ever tried!
Thank you Lisa!! xTieghan
Hi! Could you recommend a more affordable substitute for the beef short ribs? My family is on a very tight budget these days, but I still want to make this recipe. Thank you!
HI! I would recommend using a pot roast/beef chuck roast. That will be just as delicious and much cheaper. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
Tieghan, how could I do this in the InstantPot? Short ribs are truly one my favs!! I’ve been making your mashed potatoes (three cheese too) for a long time and they’re the best!!!
Thanks!!
Hi Stephanie!! I would recommend cooking on high pressure for 45-55 minutes. I have not tested this, but I think it will work well. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
OMG I made this yesterday and everyone loved it. My husband even asked me to make it again. Thanks for the recipe!!
Thank you Tatiana! I am so glad you loved this! xTieghan
Can this be adapted to instant pot?
Hi Sarina! I would sear the ribs and add everything to the instant pot. Cook on high pressure for 45 minutes. Use the natural release. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ??
Can this be adapted for the instapot?
Hi Linnea! Tieghan mentions she actually does not like to cook short ribs in the instant pot so unfortunately she can’t advise. So sorry we could not help. Please let us know if you have any other questions. We hope you love this recipe or others on the site. Thanks so much!!
Sounds great. Can you offer a substitution for the mushrooms? My guest is not a fan…. Thank you! ?
Hey Beth! I would just omit the mushrooms from the recipe. They do not play a huge role, so I think the ribs will still be delicious! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
This is the third year I have made this recipe! My boyfriend and I just love it. The sage potatoes go perfectly with the apple short ribs. Thanks for the amazing recipe.
Hey Amanda,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week! xTieghan
Quick question: can you swap out the Apple cider with apple juice? Want to make it and my grocery store doesn’t have any! Probably because it’s such a fall meal. Please help thanks!
Hey Jenna! I am sure apple juice will work just fine. I might add a pinch of cinnamon to add a little flavor, but it’s not a must. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
I did NOT like this. In fact it smelled so bad cooking that I dumped it in the trash. We ordered takeout.
Hi Sallie! I am so sorry to hear that! Are there any questions I could help you with? I hope you still love other recipes on my blog! xTieghan
Can I use Boneless Chuck Short Ribs with this recipe???
HI! You can use boneless, but they will be a little less flavorful without the bone. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Hi, do you have any tips on how to cook this in a pressure cooker/instant pot? Thanks!
HI! I actually do not like to cook short ribs in the instant pot so unfortunately I can’t advise. so sorry I could not help. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much!! xTieghan
This recipe looks delicious! I love short ribs. I received a pressure cooker as a gift and since it also sears I thought this recipe would be perfect to try. I haven’t tried using this pressure cooker yet so I’m not sure of the time as opposed to the slow cooker. Any advice would be appreciated. I enjoy receiving your recipes. Thank you.
Hey Jen! I actually do not like to cook short ribs in the pressure cooker. I have never felt that they cook up the same way. So sorry, wish I could help, but I just do not feel comfortable advising cooking times as I really do not know them. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much!! xTieghan ?
Can you tell us how to adapt this to the Instant Pot? Thank you. Love your recipes
Hey Stephanie, I am not a fan of instant pot short ribs, so unfortunately I don’t have cooking times to give you and don’t feel comfortable advising you on converting the recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much!! xTieghan ?