Some of the best slow cooker dinners are the ones that feel almost too simple to work, and these 4-ingredient root beer ribs fit that category perfectly. Inspired by the thrifty, practical spirit of Depression Era cooking, this recipe leans on inexpensive pantry staples and a hands-off method to turn beef short ribs into a sticky, savory-sweet summer dinner. It is exactly the kind of meal that helps on a busy workday when dinner needs to cook itself while you handle everything else.
Serve these ribs with creamy mashed potatoes, buttered corn, coleslaw, baked beans, or a simple cucumber salad to balance the richness. They also work well with soft rolls for soaking up the sauce, and if you are feeding a crowd, a big bowl of potato salad and some watermelon on the side make this feel like an easy backyard-style meal.
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Root Beer Beef Short Ribs
Servings: 6
Ingredients
3 pounds frozen beef short ribs
1 can (12 ounces) root beer
1 cup barbecue sauce
1 packet (1 ounce) onion soup mix
Directions
1. Place the frozen beef short ribs in the slow cooker in an even layer as much as possible.
2. Pour the root beer over the ribs, then sprinkle the onion soup mix evenly across the top.
3. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours or on high for 5 to 6 hours, until the ribs are very tender and cooked through.
4. Carefully transfer the ribs to a plate. Stir the barbecue sauce into the cooking liquid in the slow cooker, then return the ribs and spoon the sauce over them.
5. Cover and cook for 20 to 30 minutes more, then serve the ribs hot with extra sauce spooned over the top.
Variations & Tips
Make it saucier: If you like extra sauce for spooning over potatoes or rice, add an extra 1/2 cup barbecue sauce at the end of cooking and let it warm through before serving.
Use fresh ribs if preferred: If your short ribs are thawed instead of frozen, the cooking time may be a bit shorter, so start checking for tenderness about an hour early.
Try a sweeter barbecue style: A honey or brown sugar barbecue sauce makes these ribs taste even more classic and sticky, while a smoky sauce gives the dish a stronger cookout flavor without using the grill.
Meal prep tip: These ribs reheat well the next day. Store them in the sauce so the meat stays moist, then warm gently on the stove or in the microwave for an easy leftover lunch or dinner.