Sharing is caring!

With my son away at college, I have been experimenting more in the kitchen, making dishes my somewhat finisky son would not usually eat, such as this Slow Cooker Short Rib Sloppy Joes recipe. Simmered in the slow cooker, the beef short ribs are blended with onions, pepper, and garlic, then bathed in a tangy tomato-brown sugar sauce until they fall apart.  Once shredded, they are tossed back into the sauce again to soak up every drop of flavor.  The best part about these Sloppy Joes (other than their savory-sweet taste) is that they are so freaking easy to make!   Five minutes of chopping the vegetables, put everything in the slow cooker, 2 minutes of shredding the beef, and you have a hearty and delicious meal, and they really kick your Sloppy Joe recipe up a notch.  The irony?  Now that my son is at college, he has expanded his palate and would probably eat these!

{This post may contain affiliate links.}

Slow Cooker Short Rib Sloppy Joes

• 1 Package of Boneless Beef Short Ribs (3-4 ribs per package)
• 1/2 c. Chopped Onion
• 1/3 c. Chopped Red Pepper
• 2 Cloves Garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 (8 oz) Can of Tomato Sauce
• 1/2 c. Beef Broth
• 1/2 c. Ketchup
• 2 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard
• 2 Tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
• 6 Tbsp. Brown Sugar
• Large Hamburger Buns
• Optional: Shredded Cheddar Cheese

(Serves 4)

Line the slow cooker with a plastic liner.  Wash and pat dry the ribs, then place in the center of the slow cooker.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Add the onion, pepper, and garlic on top of the ribs.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, beef broth, ketchup, dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar.  Pour over the ribs, stirring to mix the sauce around the ribs.

Cook on high for about 4 hours.  Turn the slow cooker down to low and remove the ribs.  Using two forks, shred the beef ribs, then place the shredded beef back into the sauce, stirring to mix.

Cook another 60 minutes, then turn off the slow cooker.  Pile the sloppy joe mixer on top of the hamburger buns.  If you like, sprinkle with shredded cheese for a cheesy taste.  For even more yumminess, serve these Slow Cooker Short Rib Sloppy Joes, with this homemade Creamy Macaroni & Cheese!

Sharing is caring!