Slow Cooker Korean Beef Short Ribs (Kalbi) are literally falling-off-the-bone tender from a long, slow cooking process braising in a flavorful marinade that doubles as a fantastic slightly sweet and savory sauce that can be drizzled over the cooked short ribs and white rice.
If you are looking for some other delicious Korean recipes, you should check out my Bulgogi (Korean Beef Tacos), Hotteok (Korean Sweet Pancakes), and Pajeon (Korean Pancakes with Scallions)!
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We are big fans of ribs at our house and these slow cooker Korean beef short ribs (known as Kalbi in Korea) are some of the easiest, most delicious ones ever!
Slow Cooker Korean Beef Short Ribs
This is one of my favorite slow cooker recipes because unlike some where you need to saute vegetables or brown meat beforehand, with these slow cooker Korean beef short ribs you literally just throw everything in to the crock pot, turn it on and walk away.
Then when it's time to eat you have succulent, juicy meat that is melt-in-your-mouth delicious and packed with incredible Asian flavors.
What is the difference between short ribs and regular ribs?
Beef short ribs come from the plate cut, while spare ribs (also known as beef back ribs) come from the cow's rib section. Short ribs are typically braised or cooked in a slow cooker, while the longer spare ribs can be barbequed, roasted, braised or grilled.
How to make the sauce
I like to thicken the sauce just a bit with an easy slurry made with a little cornstarch and cold water, then serve that alongside the ribs and some white rice. And I would definitely recommend not skipping the garnishes of sliced green onions and sesame seeds, which add wonderful freshness, flavor, and texture to the final dish.
Having a fat separator will come in handy with the sauce because short ribs tend to have quite a lot of fat that cooks off during the long, slow braising process. But you could also just skim fat off the top with a spoon.
This recipe would also work with almost any meat, really, including chicken, other cuts of beef (brisket & flank steak, especially), or a pork roast. And it would go perfectly with stir-fried baby bok choy!
And if you love ribs, you might also want to check out these brown sugar & honey smoked baby back ribs.
More Slow Cooker Recipes For Busy Nights
- Slow Cooker Tuscan White Bean Soup
- Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
- Crock Pot Mississippi Pot Roast Sandwiches
- Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
- Crock Pot Pork Green Chili
- Slow Cooker Asian Pulled Pork Sliders
- Slow Cooker Cuban Mojo Pork
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
Slow Cooker Korean Beef Short Ribs (Kalbi)
Ingredients
- 4-6 pounds beef short ribs
- 1 cup soy sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- ½ Tablespoon black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon ginger minced
- 1 medium yellow onion thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional or 2 tablespoons Gochujang
To finish
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup cold water
- 2-3 green onions sliced on the diagonal into 1-inch pieces for garnish
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Arrange the short ribs in the bottom of a slow cooker, then sprinkle with the thinly sliced onion.
- Mix together the soy sauce, beef broth, rice vinegar, brown sugar, black pepper, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes, then pour over the short ribs.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours.
- When almost ready to serve, whisk the cornstarch into the cold water and pour into the slow cooker, stirring to combine with the sauce and juices from the meat. Cover and cook another 20 minutes, until the liquid has thickened slightly.
- Remove the ribs from the slow cooker and transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds and green onions. Use a fat separator to remove the fat from the cooking liquid, then serve alongside white rice and the short ribs to be drizzled over the meat and rice.
Talk about a meal that makes me smile! These short ribs look so tender and flavorful! A must make for me.
Thanks, Kathy! Nothing like super tender, slow cooked meat to make me happy either!
We have this at a local resutaurant and Ive always wanted to make them at home.... now I can. Your photos are simply stunning and I will absolutely be trying them over the weekend!
Yes, it's one of my favorites to make at home! Thanks, Michele!
I love exploring new cuisines! I haven't done too much with exploring Korean food yet. I will have to keep an eye out for some good veg options!
You could try these Korean Pancakes with Scallions! They are vegetarian! https://houseofnasheats.com/korean-pancakes-scallions-pajeon/
I love Korean BBQ and I love that this can be made in the slow cooker! Short ribs are simply amazing!
These are some next level short ribs! Love the flavors in the marinade and my goodness, they look so tender! This is such a fun idea you had, too, for a food blogger celebration of the Winter Olympics. (I can't wait for the Games to start!) Will definitely try these recipes as we watch all of these amazing athletes from around the world compete!
I love Korean food and your beef short ribs look so delicious! I love using a slow cooker for delicious dishes just like this! What a fun idea about the food blogger winter games! These look so tender and delicious! Great recipe!
Can you use the flanken short ribs just the same?
Are these consider gluten free?
I love ribs, and if a meal can be made in a slow cooker then I'm in! These look so flavorful!
Such an amazing dish this is! Beef is always a favorite meal to me. I have to try it. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
These look tender, fall-apart delicious. I love short ribs and these look excellent
Looks so so yummy! Perfect for a Winter Games Opening Ceremony party!
My stomach started growling while I was reading your post and looking at these delicious looking photos. I think that making foods from different cultures, and using that food as a teaching opportunity with your kids, is a great idea. I love recipes like this that don't require a lot of attention. I've printed this recipe and will be making it soon.
Thanks, Patti! Yes, I love introducing my kids to cultures through food! We take them on our travels too, but it's a lot more affordable to explore through flavors when we can't fly somewhere!
I'm skipping the takeout and making this easy dish at home! I love the sauce and that it can be made right in my slow cooker with little work.
Those ribs look fantastic! I can't wait to break out my slow cooker for this recipe! Thanks!
YUM! I am always looking for new short rib recipes, and this sounds incredible! I love the idea of everyone contributing a food inspired by different countries - what a fun way to get into the spirit of the Winter Games! And what amazing prizes! I'll have to check out IG!
What a great idea the food blogger winter games! And this dish would make my family happy! They too love ribs, especially when they fall off the bone... The Korean flavor gives such a nice touch!
Your short ribs look amazing. They look incredibly lean for short ribs. What a fun way to celebrate the Olympics -- foods from different countries. I do have to admit I'm quite partial to any kind of ribs and the Asian flavor sounds very tasty.
Made these tonight. Only had 1.8 lbs of ribs so halted the recipe. Added 1/2 regular sesame and 1/2 toasted seasame oil. Meat was tender but not off the bone. Maybe our crockpot is too big. Sauce was AMAZING though.
Hello! Can I make this in Dutch oven? Maybe cook for 2 hours or so? Thanks
Absolutely!
This is really good. Thanks for sharing. It was so easy to make.Â
I made this exactly the way the recipe said to and it came out perfect. I will definitely will be making this again
Just wondering i am making these 2moro. Do they need to braised in a Dutch oven first or just put directly in the crock pot?
They can go straight into the crock pot without searing first.
What temperature would you cook this in an oven 200°F?
I had to scroll through my private messages to find this recipe! Thank-you, this is one of our most favorite meals.
I'm so glad you enjoy this one so much! It's a family favorite here too!
when do you skim the fat?
My husband and I loved this dish and will definitely make many more times!!!
Easy, interesting...clear directions. Tasted great.
This was so delicious and easy to make. Paired it with cabbage and fennel seared. Wonderful flavors! Great recipe! Thanks!
This is the bomb!!
This is amazing. Truly. I saved all of the gravy (with all the little chunks of meat) added a little sour cream and made poutine. OMG.
THANK YOU.
That sounds incredible!
Tried and true. This is on permanent rotation in our home. Thanks for the recipe!
So happy to hear it!
I wish you would add a link to PRINT. I would love to keep this recipe in my Meals Binder on my counter. Thank you!
It's there! Look right under the picture in the recipe card where it says "print", "pin", and "rate". Glad you love the recipe!
this is for regular short ribs. NOT Korean short ribs.
It's too late to change now but I wish that was pointed out
Just finished eating dinner.
I was worried about the fact that this recipe is for Short ribs and not Korean cut short ribs.
It really doesn't matter. We loved it.
My only suggestion is to use low sodium soy sauce or cut back on the soy sauce on 4lbs.
Other than that. INCREDIBLE RECIPE
I always loved Korean Food...saw this one and making it tonight with white rice...it's 5pm now Dec.20, 2022 I need to wait 1 more hour in a 4-6hrs high. can't wait!
That last hour is the hardest because it starts smelling so good!
I don't know why it's too salty, I even replace the beef broth to Low sodium one..hhmmm...what I did I just out a tablespoon of white vinegar..yummmmmm thank you..
Try using a low sodium soy sauce. That's where most of the salt in the recipe comes from.
This is one of my husband's favourite meals now. It's actually in the slow cooker for the third time since discovering this recipe! He loves the sauce so much that we have to keep the leftovers so he can have over rice. Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely delicious. Followed the recipe, but browned the ribs before putting them in crock pot. And I also added orange rind to the sauce. The sauce was so silky, rich and flavorful.
Just want to say that i've made this recipe a dozen times and it always comes out perfectly and it's always a huge hit with the eaters!
Made it everyone loved it
Will be trying the recipe but wondering can you use frozen short ribs straight out of the freezer or does it need to be thawed first. If yes, is there time adjustment ended to account for the frozen state and how long?
Hi! Personally, I would put them in thawed. You can thaw the ribs overnight in the fridge. If you do want to try putting them in frozen, I would add an extra hour to cook time. I have also seen people cook on high for an hour and then turn it down to low for the remainder of the time. Either way, it will still turn out delicious. Enjoy!
Great flavours but the ribs I had were so so fatty. Would this work with any other cut of beef?
Hmm, that's a good question. I haven't tried it with other cuts, but I think the flavors would be good with flank steak or even a chuck roast.
Absolutely delicious! Huge hit in my home. Will for sure make again!
Easy recipe. On hand ingredients. Easycleanup. Great flavor. No modifications required