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In case you haven't heard me say it before—I love making everything from soups to stocks to beans to dinners in my crock pot.
Preparing a delicious and nutritious meal in advance that is ready and waiting for you at dinner time, keeps your house smelling amazing all day long, and usually requires minimal cleanup after eating? I am sold. Especially on those nights when the kids have early evening extracurricular activities. Slow cooker dinners are the way to go in my opinion!
Another great thing about this recipe is that, for those who have an allergy or sensitivity, it does not contain any gluten or dairy (as long as a gluten-free soy sauce is used). You could also just omit (or replace) the soy sauce topping if someone in your family can't eat soy. Oh, and while we are on the topic, there are no nuts in this recipe either. So there you go...this is officially an allergy-friendly dish that everyone can enjoy together! For more inspiration, check out this Takeout-Style Lo Mein.
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If you enjoyed this slow cooker Asian short rib recipe, please leave a rating and comment! For more inspiration, check out my Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. For 5 free weekly meal plans and more free resources, sign up to receive my free newsletter! In addition, check out these Dinner Recipes.
Slow Cooker Asian Short Ribs (with Soy Sauce Glaze)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the 5-spice powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Place the onion and garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Put the ribs on top of the onion and coat them evenly with the spice mixture. Keeping the ribs on top of the onions helps to keep them out of the juices and fat that will collect at the bottom during cooking.
- Turn slow cooker onto LOW and cook for 9 to 10 hours. (No need to add any water or liquid before starting.)
- Just before serving the ribs, combine the soy sauce and honey in a small pot on the stove. Bring to a light boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Carefully transfer the ribs to a serving platter (on top of the brown rice noodles and bok choy if using – as pictured above) and pour the sauce over the top of the entire dish. Enjoy!
Rachel says
Once again you rock, Lisa, and make my life so much easier!!! Your recipes never fail and always make me look good : ). Made these last night and we loved them -- my husband almost couldn't stop reaching for more! I can't eat beef (it's an iron overload disorder) so i used good pork ribs from Whole Foods, and of course, used non-gmo soy sauce and raw honey. Clean and delish!
sue says
love you site! I have made sooo many things from here that the entire family will eat (we took the 10 day challenge and are now continuing on with an 80/20 split). Putting these on right now with some grain fed short ribs that I purchased right from an organic/sustainable farm. I think I messed up though, I cut the ribs first. are they going to fall apart when I try to remove them? any suggestions on how to keep the meat on the bone when using a crock??
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Sue. Apologies. We are often unable to answer questions in real time. How did they turn out? ~Amy
Tara says
I made this dish today and in the last hour of cooking I threw in bokchoy, mushrooms, ginger, snow peas and carrots on top of the cooking ribs (to steam cook) and it was a fantastic one pot meal! Served over rice and topped with bean sprouts and scallions. A new family favorite~ Thank you!
Brittany says
Can I substitute coconut aminos for the soy? I am sensitive to soy sauce very much so.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Brittany. Other readers have suggested this, though it is not something we have done. ~Amy
Emily says
I made this last night... They only had bone out grass feed short ribs and it was amazing! Because there were no bones the meat just shredded. Thank you so much for the recipe my 6 and 4 year old basically licked their plates clean!
Katherine says
I'm new to using slow cookers. Can I put the ribs frozen into the slow cooker or do I need to thaw the meat first? If I can put it in frozen, does that change the cooking time? Thanks for the help!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Katherine. I would use thawed ribs for this recipe. ~Amy
Kristin says
I noticed a lot of posts saying they couldn't find or had a difficult time finding the 5 Spice Powder. I couldn't find it either (although I only checked at the store I was at) so I made my own! For those who can't find it, look it up online how to make your own; super easy and quick. Plus if you cook often, like me, you probably already have all the necessary spices at home!
cindy says
It‘s in the crockpot right now. I use the crockpot all the time, this is the first time not using any liquid to start! The ribs pictured, above, look very browned, almost black, should i expect mine to look the same?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Cindy. How did it turn out? ~Amy
Cindy Spence says
Do you need to brown the short ribs first? Thanks - looking forward to trying this recipe
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Cindy. You do not need to brown the ribs first. ~Amy
Andrea says
This is a great recipe! I used cilantro instead of bokchoy and it took it over the top!! Keep the slow cooker recipes coming!
Ps- I finally found the five spice powder in the 4th store I tried. It was called Chinese 5 spice powder.
Kristen says
Hey! I have this in the crock pot right now. Although I used "All Spice" instead of 5 spice because my hubby couldn't locate it at the store...we will see if it still turns out as good as the original....
Molly says
I found it in the Asian section of my store.
Beth says
Do you have additional slow cooker recipes you can post? I did not see many on your recipe index. Thanks
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Beth. In addition to the our index, this post is a source for recipes: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/02/18/slow-cooker-freezer-recipes/. ~Amy
Lj says
Made these tonight with boneless short ribs. I made Tahoe wheat biscuits to go along side it. I turned out great. Thanks for both recipes.
I was wondering what brand soy sauce you use? I read the ingredients of the one I have and almost didn't use it.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Lj. Try Eden Organic. ~Amy
Danielle G says
Did you have to adjust the cooking time for boneless? I'm making this tomorrow night and our butcher only sells boneless short rib meat.
Angelle Tibbets says
I made this for dinner last night and it was SOOOO good! I used pork ribs, since that is what my store had, and they were excellent. Moist juicy and good flavor! Even my picky eater went back for seconds! I also glazed them and baked them of a few minutes as another commentor recommend. Very good! I will definitely make these again!!
Angie says
The recipe sounds easy enough...but you said there isn't a need to add water. Wouldn't the meat burn in the crockpot??
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Angie. That has been a common question. The dish creates its own juices. No need to worry. ~Amy
Helen says
Yum. Sounds delish! I think a pork or beef roast cooked low and slow with this recipe would be great too. Shred it up and serve over rice.
Melanie says
Cindy, eating organic, grass fed beef ribs is perfectly fine if you don't have them every day.
I love the idea of this blog and pretty much everything about, but have to mention that burnt meat is seriously unhealthy. Personally I would throw the ones in the photo in the bin.
Besides that thanks for all the great tips and inspiration!
Cindy says
Are you kidding me? You're claiming that eating fatty beef ribs is healthy? Are you going to pay for the drugs that people will need after following your "healthy"diet plan?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Cindy. This site is about giving up processed food and eating real food made from real ingredients. Occasionally, that involves recipes that conflict with some views of what "healthy food" is. You can read on about the Leake's experience and how they define "healthy eating" here: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/01/04/healthy-eating-defined/, https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/07/14/day-47-health-benefits/, and https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/02/23/shocking-blood-test-results/. ~Amy
Lee says
Fantastic recipe. My 9 and 7 year old boys loved having home made Chinese. Definitely will be on our menu again very soon! Thanks for all you do. I love your site.
Sarah says
We just tried this recipe tonight and it was delicious! I had recently bought 25 pounds worth of grass-fed local beef in a variety of cuts, and I was so glad to see this short rib recipe as that was one of the cuts I wasn't sure what to do with. We had it with a side of bok choy was recommended too which was actually the first time my husband and I have ever had it. It was all very tasty.
laramealor.com says
Can not wait to try this recipe!
Jen says
Pretty excited to try this, and I'm going to be looking for Coconut Aminos ASAP!! So glad to hear there's a good alternative out there to soy sauce!
Ashley says
I've been wanting to try an Asian recipe but haven't found one I think my husband will like...until now! Can't wait to try it and widen our horizons a bit. The only thing is that I've never worked with bok choy before and have no idea how to prepare it or season it. Any pointers?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Ashley. This might help: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/how-to-cook-bok-choy-00100000074859/. ~Amy
Erin says
Hi Amy -- I checked out the link for more info on bok choy, but I still am not sure what to do with the bok choy for this recipe. The link suggests it is good raw... do you just top the brown rice noodles with it raw, and then put the ribs on top of that? Or do you steam it?
Trying this recipe this weekend for company... I should try it on my family first, but I'm confident in Lisa's recipes!! :-) Thanks in advance.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi again. It was suggested as a side in this recipe and you could prepare it any way you like. Here are some other suggestions: http://blog.williams-sonoma.com/5-ways-with-bok-choy/. I love it seared and stir fried. ~Amy
Eddy says
You could use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce to make it more allergic friendly without compromising the glaze....
Liz @ Economies of Kale says
Yum, these sound really easy and tasty :)
Ashley says
Can I use boneless beef ribs for this
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Ashley. We've not tried but boneless should work, too. ~Amy
Kimberly Kaufman says
Could this be cooked on high for five hours instead of on low for ten?
Lisa says
Yes, I think it would work (although I have not tested it that way).
Kimberly Kaufman says
I tried it, and it turned out wonderful. I used boneless beef short ribs, and let it cook for approximately 3 hours on high and three on low. The glaze was amazing!
Mary Sue Jaramillo says
I always feel safe with Crock pot, I bake apples, it's like eating apple pie, Just plain,
SamKay says
You can also replace the Soy Sauce with Coconut Aminos, which is very similar to soy sauce. Personally, I try to avoid soy.
Jen says
Good to know!! I avoid soy (although, fermented soy, like traditionally brewed soy sauce, in moderation is not a risk, like unfermented GMO soy used in all processed American foods and tofu) and I have been looking for an alternative. I haven't seen Coconut Aminos, I have seen Soy Aminos (Braggs) but still soy so I didn't bother. I will have to look for Coconut Aminos. I found a soy sauce alternative recipe online that looks like it would work as well.
Lisa says
This sounds amazing! I'll try it this week. For those folks who can't find it in the baking aisle, try the "Ethnic" aisle, where you'd get other Asian inspired items.
Jessica says
Hi Erin, so strange to hear that, as I have had the exact opposite experience! I never cook anything in the over b/c it comes out dry. My slow cooker is a rice cooker as well but I have had a reg one in the past. Maybe try the rice cooker?
Erin says
Hi,
I wish I could say I love using a slow cooker. The only success I have had is with soups and chilis....neither of which my kids eat. The meals I have made with meat become dry....with chicken or roasts. Not moist or tender. However, I will try your rib recipe since I love anything with 5 Asian spice.
Thanks for sharing,
Erin
Jill says
I have the same problem with my slow cooker. My family always says (and they're correct) that everything I make in it tastes the same. I love the idea of the slow cooker, but dislike the moans when I bring it out.
Lisa says
It is important to choose the right cuts of meat (with a lot of fat). I've been told that leaner cuts of meat can come out dry.
Jen says
Also, cooking on low (as opposed to high) and for a shorter time can help. I've had chicken come out dry, but that's because it had been cooked a little too long. Also, there are better slow cookers than others out there. Lisa is right about fatty cuts of meat as well. Her Pork Carnitas recipe is AMAZING and a family favorite here!!
Molly says
Your crock pot probably runs hot. Mine does and I can easily take two hours off most recipes on the low setting. So, I would probably only cook this for 7 hrs at most in my crock pot.
Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective says
Mmmm...looks delicious!
Lisa says
Thanks Sommer - I hope you are doing well! :)
Rachel says
I wish I could find good meat. Everything I've bought at the grocery is pretty much in edible. Stringy fat. Tasteless. The last ribs I bought went straight in the trash. What should I look for?
Jen says
I would check a store like Whole Foods. The meat is pricey, but worth it. Pay now or pay later (with bad health) is my philosophy when paying for groceries. Also, check your area for local farmers markets or farmers who sell meat. I've always gotten great meat from a farmer close to my home, and at a reasonable price. Hope this helps!
Laura says
Emily - it's Anise, Cinnamon, Star Anise, Cloves, Ginger!
These look amazing. I always need good slow cooker recipes. Thanks Danielle for the tip to crisp them up!
Christine says
Emily Penzeys.com has Chinese five spice powder.
Emily says
If I can't find 5-spice powder, does anyone know the 5 spices so I could make it myself?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Emily. Not sure you saw Laura's answer below. She says: "it's Anise, Cinnamon, Star Anise, Cloves, Ginger! " ~Amy
Danielle says
Thank you so much for sharing this! I swear, my husband thinks I'm the best, most creative cook because of you! haha. But I made regular barbecue sauce ribs in my slow cooker this week, and I followed a tip I read on another website that really helped. After cooking them in the slow cooker, throw the ribs on a baking sheet and put them in the oven on a high temperature for just a few minutes. (She actually said to use the broiler, but I don't have a broiler on my oven.) It helps the top layer harden up a bit. In your recipe, I'd put the honey sauce on first, and then put them in the oven. Thanks again!
Christine says
Would this work with pork ribs if I do not like beef? Looks amazing and I love all these ingredients!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Christine. I imagine it would. Let us know how it turns out. ~Amy
Kasia says
Christine,
Did you make this with pork ribs? I'm curious bc I wanted to do the same! Will you let us know if it turned out?
Tiffany says
It looks great! Where do I find the five spice powder?
Lisa says
It's with the spices in the supermarket - just one of the blends.