This slow cooker sweet and spicy short ribs recipe is a weekend favorite, thanks to a segment on Doctor Oz.
Rushed Segment On Doctor Oz – A Story
Have you ever had to create a new recipe (that needs to be made in the slow cooker) in less than 48 hours, repeatedly test it, and video yourself making it?
Oh! Then send off the recipe, video and professional pictures to a nationally syndicated television show?
Yeah, me neither. Well, except that one time.
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to be part of a taping of the Doctor Oz show.
While this wasn’t my first time on the show, it was the first time I’d be on my own, and cooking directly for Doctor Oz.
Making Short Ribs Healthier
The challenge: create a healthy yet hearty slow cooker meal that busy working moms could make.
We were told that we’d have to create the recipe on stage, and bring in the final product for Doctor Oz to taste during the show.
My challenge was to make a new recipe with short ribs, while my segment buddy Andrea had to recreate a chicken casserole dish sans the unnecessary calories.
It was a stressful challenge, especially since I was battling morning sickness and fatigue.
A Fun Surprise For The Cooks
The producers decided to surprise us with one more detail once we got the the studio. Not only would Doctor Oz be tasting our dish, but a celebrity guest would be trying it out and JUDGING our recipes. Gasp. Gulp.
It wasn’t just any old celebrity chef, it was the one and only Alex Guarnaschelli from Food Network/Top Chef fame.
Little known fact: Alex is one of 3 chefs that my husband and I will watch no matter what they make on their shows.
She makes food sound so romantic. Needless to say, once I found out she would be eating my short ribs, I panicked.
Related: Slow Cooker Vegan Mexican Soup
But, Did I Win?
It all turned out just fine. Well, I didn’t freeze on camera, so that’s what I call an accomplishment.
Spoiler alert: I won the challenge!
As for the complete Sweet and Spicy Short Ribs recipe? The result was a dish that everyone loved, including my kids and my parents.
Check out the full recipe below.
Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Short Ribs
serves 6
Ingredients
5 pounds bone-in beef short ribs (or 4 pounds of boneless to cut down on calories)
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup sugar free apricot preserves
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup sriracha hot sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large piece of aluminum foil
1/2 cup chopped scallions, for garnish
Instructions
In a medium bowl, mix together soy sauce, apricot preserves, red wine vinegar, sriracha, ginger and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Place the short ribs in a large zip top bag and pour your marinade mixture over the short ribs and rub into the meat. Place bag in a small casserole dish, and let sit in the fridge for 4 hours to overnight.
Optional: In a large sauté pan, place 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Lightly brown short ribs in the pan, about 6 to 8 at a time. If you are short on time, you can omit that step, but it does create a great crust on the short ribs. Either way, it will be delicious.
Crumble up your foil so it will fit in the bottom of your slow cooker. Place browned short ribs on top of the foil. The foil gives the short ribs a “lift” so the fat will fall away from it. Doctor Oz really liked this tip.
Turn slow cooker on low and cook for 11 to 12 hours, or on high for 7 to 8 hours.
Sprinkle with chopped scallions. Serve with a side of brown rice or quinoa, and your favorite Asian vegetables.
Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Short Ribs
Ingredients
- 5 pounds bone-in beef short ribs (or 4 pounds of boneless to cut down on calories)
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup sugar free apricot preserves
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup sriracha hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large piece of aluminum foil
- 1/2 cup chopped scallions, for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together soy sauce, apricot preserves, red wine vinegar, sriracha, ginger and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Place the short ribs in a large zip top bag, and pour your marinade mixture over the short ribs and rub into the meat.
- Place bag in a small casserole dish, and let sit in the fridge for 4 hours to overnight.
- Optional: In a large sauté pan, place 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Lightly brown short ribs in the pan, about 6 to 8 at a time. If you are short on time, you can omit that step, but it does create a great crust on the short ribs. Either way, it will be delicious.
- Once you're ready to cook, crumble up your foil so it will fit in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Place short ribs on top of the foil. The foil gives the short ribs a “lift” so the fat will fall away from it. Doctor Oz really liked this tip.
- Turn slow cooker on low and cook for 11 to 12 hours, or on high for 7 to 8 hours.
- Sprinkle with chopped scallions. Serve with a side of brown rice or quinoa, and your favorite Asian vegetables.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 967Total Fat: 69gSaturated Fat: 29gTrans Fat: 4gUnsaturated Fat: 39gCholesterol: 284mgSodium: 918mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 1gSugar: 10gProtein: 73g
That sounds like an amazing recipe, as soon as ribs go on sale, I am going to try it.
Thanks Ginger! If you have an Asian food market near you, be sure to check them out for short ribs. That’s where I get them from and they are usually 30% to 50% less than that price at the supermarket.
I use Alex G’s turkey brine recipe every year at Thanksgiving. It’s fantastic.
THis looks great, A–I’ll have to try this.
Thanks Anne! Chef Alex is one of my top 3 chefs of all time, so I tried my hardest not to geek out on her when she came out before the segment 😀
What a fun experience. They sure do look good.
So neat. I like Alex too.
I pinned this recipe to try!
These look absolutely delicious. I think I know what’s for dinner tonight!
These ribs look amazing!! I can taste them from here. 🙂
Wow. What an amazing experience. This looks like a great recipe. My husband loves cooking in our slow cooker.
Mmm…. those look delicious! I am always looking for new crockpot recipes. Thanks for sharing!
You are killing me! Amazing. I am shuddering at the thought of making that with morning sickness though. So, since I couldn’t see the show, what did she think? Love her on Chopped.
Hey Heather! Chef Alex really like the recipe, and that I used red wine vinegar instead of red wine. I won her new cookbook and have been devouring it. She’s great. I shared the video on my FB page, if you want to see.
I missed you being on. How exciting!!! Did you love being on? You need to link up a clip!
I have a clip on my FB account, but I’ll get a “professional” one up soon. It was such a great experience 🙂 .