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Crockpot Cider Braised Short Ribs…can we make crockpot Wednesday a thing?

Crockpot Cider Braised Short Ribs with Sage Butter Mashed Potatoes | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

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??!

Crockpot Cider Braised Short Ribs with Sage Butter Mashed Potatoes | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

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 🙂

Crockpot Cider Braised Short Ribs with Sage Butter Mashed Potatoes | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

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. 🙂

Crockpot Cider Braised Short Ribs with Sage Butter Mashed Potatoes | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

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 Sage Butter Mashed Potatoes | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Crockpot Cider Braised Short Ribs with Browned Sage Butter Mashed Potatoes.

Author: Tieghan Gerard
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 30 minutes
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.

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Ingredients

Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes

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!
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Crockpot Cider Braised Short Ribs with Sage Butter Mashed Potatoes | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

PS. there’s cheddar in those mashers. Yup!

Crockpot Cider Braised Short Ribs with Sage Butter Mashed Potatoes | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest
This post was originally published on October 19, 2016
4.23 from 383 votes (354 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. My husband is not a big fan of sweet/fruity flavors in his dinner meal. (Made quinoa in apple cider once and he was not impressed). So my question is, is it an overwhelming apple taste in the ribs? Or more subtle? Should I maybe do a cup of cider and a cup of broth? Leave out the apples? Also, neither of us are a fan of mushrooms- any recommendation for a good substitute?

    Reply

    1. Hey Kim! It is a very subtle flavor, so I think these will be fine for hime. These are pretty savory all the way! Let me know if you have other questions. Hope these are a hit! 🙂

      Just omit the mushrooms and add your favorite veggies! 🙂

      Reply

  2. First just need to say how much I love your website, besides the great recipes your photography is stunning.

    Wondering if you brown the ribs in a dry pan or if you need to add any oil? Or are short ribs fatty enough to keep themselves from sticking?

    Reply

    2. Wow, thank you so much for your kind words! Mean so much! 🙂

      Saw you found the oil, let me know if you have any other questions. Thank you!

      Reply

  3. Hi there. This recipe totally caught my eye. Might seem strange but I do not have a crockpot. I use a Dutch oven for my braises. If I were to make this what recommendations would you have other than the cooking time?! I may have to “wing it” haha

    Thanks a million!

    Reply

    1. Hey Tina! No problem. I would just slow cook this at 325 degrees for 3-4 hours or until the meat is tender and shreds easily. Let me know if you have questions. Hope you love this and thank you!! 🙂

      Reply

      1. I made this tonight in my Dutch oven and it was absolutely delicious! Thank you so much for getting back to me and for creating such wonderful recipes that we all can enjoy:)

        Reply

  4. Hello,
    I’d love to make this crockpot recipe.. but is there a way to replace the short ribs with something non-meat? Maybe a type of fish or a medley of vegetables? What do you think? Any recommendations?

    Thank you! Looking forward to your reply. 🙂
    Btw, this looks insanely delicious!

    Reply

    1. HI! So, this is a pretty meat heavy recipe, but you might try a medley of vegetables. I think fish is too delicate for the crockpot. I would go with winter squash or root vegetables. I am sorry, I can’t really suggest anything more as I have not tested the recipe this way. Thank you!

      Reply

          1. Oh my goodness… I can’t even tell you how awesome this recipe turned out. I used half the meat, and replaced it with 1 lb of baby carrots. My fiancee really enjoyed the meat with the cider sauce, and I had my version without the meat (I’m vegetarian) with the mashed potatoes.
            And the mashed potatoes were out of this world! I used truffle salt instead of regular, it just added more awesome flavor!

            Thank you for sharing such deliciousness!

          2. Yay! This is so awesome to hear Ella! So glad the both of you had an awesome dinner and enjoyed this recipe, thank you!

  5. Just had this for our Sunday night supper and all I can say is WOW! Made exactly by recipe and all the flavors are wonderful together. The apples add a special touch and the mashed potatoes are divine. Will definitely make this again and again!

    Reply

  6. I just made this for Sunday dinner and taste tested it and let me tell you it is AMAZING. I made very minor adjustments. I had 3.5lbs of short ribs cut the long way, not english cut which is thicker and instead of two cups of apple cider, I used 1 and 1/4 cups of apple cider and a 1/4 cup of beef broth. I was concerned with the amount of acidity that the apple cider would give but I knew it was serving as a tenderizer for the short ribs. When my boyfriend tasted the short ribs alone he said they needed salt. I thought they did too BUT something said trust Tieghan, she knows her stuff. Glad I did because the Brown Butter Sage Mashed Potatoes provide all the salt you need so when you eat this as a complete meal, Oh me Oh my. The flavor profiles are amazing! This dish tastes like it came from a Michelin Star restaurant/chef. I loved the ease of the dish and yes, please sear the short ribs before putting them in the crockpot. I hope my family saves me enough to take for lunch tomorrow 🙂 This dish is one of thee best I have ever tried at home.

    Reply

  7. I can’t wait to make this! I only have boneless short ribs (they were on sale), would you change cooking time? Or any other suggestions with what I have on hand?

    Reply

    1. Hey! Yes, that works great! Cook at 325 for 3-4 hours. No need to change the recipe. Let me know if you have questions. Thanks!

      Reply

  9. Ah yum!!! So love crockpot cooking, so easy and make your house smell soooo yummy! lol You’re right, this would be a perfect Sunday dinner. I might just make it the classic mashed potatoes as we don’t care much for sage. I know I know you love it, just think of it like you don’t care much for celery then we’re even! 😛
    You guessed it right, I wish my baby would quit growing for a while, I mean not that we don’t love watching her grow and showing us new tricks, but I just really miss her being an infant! lol Oh well, life 😉

    Reply

  12. I wish all recipes would come with nutritional data. I cook for someone that is on a sodium restricted diet. And at time, it appears there is more sodium in a recipe than there really is. This looks delicious and I will try it on myself soon!

    Reply

  14. Short ribs have to be one of my all time favorite fall/winter recipes! I’ve never tried to make mine with apple cider. Sounds incredibly flavorful! Can’t wait to try Tieghan!

    Reply

  15. This sounds so amazing!!
    I may have asked that before but I can’t remember – which brand of slow cooker do you use? I’ve been looking for one in forever but I never know which reviews to trust. So I’d rather get a recommendation from one of my favorite chefs out there 🙂

    Reply