Sweet & Spicy Soy-Glazed Beef Short Ribs
Indulge in the succulent flavors of these Sweet & Spicy Soy-Glazed Beef Short Ribs, where rich, tender meat meets a delightful blend of sweet and spicy notes. Cooked slowly to perfection, these short ribs melt in your mouth and are infused with the bold taste of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chili-garlic sauce, making them a crowd-pleaser at any gathering. Ideal for serving as a striking appetizer or a hearty entree, this dish is not only easy to prepare in a slow cooker but also promises to bring your taste buds on a savory journey. Perfect for both family dinners and festive occasions, these ribs will quickly become a favorite in your mealtime repertoire.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
beef short ribs
3.5 lbs (trimmed of excess fat)
water
1/2 cup (for deglazing)
scallions
2 bunches (thinly sliced diagonally, half used in the sauce and half for garnish)
garlic
1 clove (minced)
fresh ginger
1 inch (peeled and minced)
soy sauce
1/3 cup (n/a)
rice vinegar
1/4 cup (n/a)
molasses
1/4 cup (n/a)
brown sugar
1/4 cup (n/a)
chili-garlic sauce
1/4 cup (n/a)
hoisin sauce
1/4 cup (or plum sauce)
limes
2 (juiced)
toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon (n/a)
cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon (n/a)
fresh ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (n/a)
sesame seeds
2 tablespoons (toasted until lightly browned)
Instructions
1
Begin by trimming excess fat from the beef short ribs to reduce grease.
2
In a heavy skillet, heat a splash of oil over medium-high heat. In batches, brown the ribs on all sides. Once browned, transfer them to an oval or round slow cooker.
3
Deglaze the skillet by adding 1/2 cup of water and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Pour this liquid over the ribs in the slow cooker.
4
In a medium bowl, combine half of the sliced scallions with the minced garlic, fresh ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, molasses, brown sugar, chili-garlic sauce, hoisin sauce, lime juice, sesame oil, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Stir until the sugar has fully dissolved.
5
Pour this mixture over the ribs in the slow cooker, ensuring they are well-coated.
6
Cover and cook on the low setting for 6 hours, or until the meat is tender and easily falls from the bone.
7
In a small skillet, toast the sesame seeds over low heat until they are lightly browned. Remove from heat and let them cool.
8
To serve, place the short ribs on a platter, drizzle with some of the sauce from the slow cooker, and garnish with the reserved scallions and toasted sesame seeds.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Sweet & Spicy Soy-Glazed Beef Short Ribs?
This dish features succulent beef short ribs slow-cooked in a rich glaze made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili-garlic sauce, and molasses for a perfect balance of sweet and heat.
What cut of meat is used for this recipe?
This recipe specifically calls for 3.5 lbs of beef short ribs.
How should I prepare the beef short ribs before cooking?
You should begin by trimming any excess fat from the ribs to reduce the overall grease in the final dish.
Is it necessary to brown the ribs before putting them in the slow cooker?
Yes, browning the ribs in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat helps lock in flavor and adds a desirable texture to the meat.
How do I deglaze the skillet?
After browning the ribs, add 1/2 cup of water to the hot skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom, then pour this liquid over the ribs in the slow cooker.
What is the cooking time for these slow cooker ribs?
The ribs should be cooked on the low setting for approximately 6 hours.
How do I know when the short ribs are done?
The ribs are ready when the meat is tender and easily falls away from the bone.
What ingredients make up the sweet and spicy glaze?
The glaze consists of garlic, ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, molasses, brown sugar, chili-garlic sauce, hoisin sauce, lime juice, sesame oil, cayenne, and black pepper.
Can I substitute the hoisin sauce?
Yes, you can use plum sauce as a substitute if you do not have hoisin sauce on hand.
How spicy is this beef short rib recipe?
The dish has a moderate kick due to the chili-garlic sauce and cayenne pepper, but the heat is balanced by the sweetness of the brown sugar and molasses.
How should I prepare the scallions for this recipe?
The scallions should be thinly sliced diagonally. Use half in the sauce mixture and reserve the other half for garnishing.
What is the best way to toast sesame seeds?
Toast them in a small skillet over low heat until they are lightly browned, then remove them from the heat to cool.
Can I use a round slow cooker for this recipe?
Yes, both oval and round slow cookers are suitable for preparing these ribs.
Does this recipe require fresh ginger?
The recipe calls for 1 inch of fresh ginger, peeled and minced, for the best flavor profile.
How much garlic is needed?
You will need 1 minced clove of garlic for the sauce.
What type of vinegar is used in the glaze?
Rice vinegar is used to provide a mild acidity that complements the Asian-inspired flavors.
Can I use bottled lime juice?
While fresh lime juice from 2 limes is recommended for the brightest flavor, bottled juice can be used in a pinch.
What role does molasses play in this recipe?
Molasses adds a deep, smoky sweetness and helps create a thick, glossy glaze on the ribs.
How should I serve the ribs?
Place the ribs on a platter, drizzle them with the remaining sauce from the slow cooker, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, the flavors often deepen overnight, making it a great dish to reheat and serve the next day.
Is this recipe suitable for a party?
Absolutely! It is described as a crowd-pleaser and works well as either a striking appetizer or a hearty entree.
What can I do if the sauce is too thin after cooking?
You can simmer the sauce in a saucepan on the stove after removing the ribs to reduce it to your desired thickness.
What is the purpose of toasted sesame oil?
Toasted sesame oil adds a nutty aroma and rich finish to the soy glaze.
How much cayenne pepper is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper for a significant spicy element.
Can I cook this on a high setting for a shorter time?
While low and slow is recommended for the most tender meat, you could cook it on high for about 3-4 hours, though results may vary.
How many bunches of scallions are required?
The recipe requires 2 bunches of scallions.
Should I use light or dark brown sugar?
Either will work, though dark brown sugar will provide a slightly more intense molasses flavor.
Is this dish considered an Asian-style recipe?
Yes, it features classic Asian flavors like soy, ginger, hoisin, and sesame oil.
Do I need to add salt?
The soy sauce provides significant sodium, so the recipe only specifies adding 1/2 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper.
How much water is used for deglazing?
You use 1/2 cup of water to deglaze the skillet after browning the beef.