As the weather has finally turned Fall-ish in my part of the world, I have been craving, craving, craving stews, meats, braises, roasts…basically anything hearty.
When I saw these Slow-Cooked Moroccan Short Ribs I knew I would be making them soon. First, I adore beef short ribs and anything Moroccan reminds of the flavors I once experienced first-hand while in Casablanca. However, what intrigued me was these ribs were made in a slow-cooker, which is not my favorite kitchen appliance. But I figured I’d give it a try.
It was worth it.
Let’s make them together…
Here’s what you will need: Beef short ribs, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground turmeric, ground cumin, salt, beef stock (or broth), carrots, baby red potatoes or yukon golds, onion, honey, red pepper flakes, all-purpose flour, dried apricots and fresh lemon juice. Ingredients not shown: Olive oil.
Combine 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground turmeric and 1 teaspoon salt.
Rub the spice mix into the ribs, thoroughly coating all sides, pressing the spices into the meat as best you can.
Sear the ribs in 1 Tablespoon olive oil over high heat, until all sides are browned, about 7-10 minutes. Transfer the ribs to a slow-cooker, pouring off any excess oil from the pan.
Deglaze the pan with 3 cups beef stock or broth, scraping all bits from the bottom, transfer to the slow-cooker, pouring over the ribs.
Add carrots, potatoes, 2 Tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and onion to the ribs and deglazing broth. Simmer the ribs on high-heat until they are fork-tender and falling off the bone, about 3-1/2 hours.
Discard onion and strain any fat that has accumulated on the surface.
Whisk 6 Tablespoons flour and a 1/2 cup beef stock (broth) together and stir slowly into the slow cooker. If you pour it all at once and do not stir well you will end up with globs of flour balls. Add 1/2 cup dried apricots and simmer for another 1/2 hour, until thickened. Stir in 2 teaspoons lemon juice before serving.
The results are phenomenal. The meat just flakes off the bone.
The combination of spices used and seared into the meat, gives these ribs a savory-sweet taste that is incredible.
They were awesome. I hope you believe me.
Slow-Cooked Moroccan Short Ribs
The Rub:
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon salt
The Ribs:
2-1/2 lb. short ribs
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
3-1/2 cups low-sodium beef stock (or broth), divided
3 carrots, cut into 2-inch chunks (cups)
10 baby red potatoes or baby Yukon golds (2 cups)
1/2 onion, cut in half, root intact
2 Tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
6 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 cup dried apricots
2 teaspoon lemon juice
Combine cinnamon, ginger, cumin, turmeric and salt. Rub the spice mix into the ribs, thoroughly coating all sides, pressing the spices into the meat as best you can.
Sear the ribs in olive oil over high heat, until all sides are browned, about 7-10 minutes. Transfer the ribs to a slow-cooker, pouring off any excess oil from the pan. Deglaze the pan with 3 cups beef stock or broth, scraping all bits from the bottom, transfer to the slow-cooker, pouring over the ribs.
Add carrots, potatoes, honey, red pepper flakes, and onion to the ribs and deglazing broth. Simmer the ribs on high-heat until they are fork-tender and falling off the bone, about 3-1/2 hours.
Discard onion and strain any fat that has accumulated on the surface.
Whisk flour and a 1/2 cup beef stock (broth) together and stir slowly into the slow cooker. If you pour it all at once and do not stir well you will end up with globs of flour balls. Add dried apricots and simmer for another 1/2 hour, until thickened. Stir in lemon juice before serving.
KathyB. says
O.K. I am officially appointing my Hubby to make this ! He will do this recipe justice, and he knows how to serve it and with what wine! Thanks again Noble Pig. And by the way, where are you going that you need and airline ticket ? Just being nosy…
Laura says
Wow. That looks amazing.
RobinSue says
This is a winner! I have seen other Morrocan recipes that call for raisens and that won’t do in my family but the apricots will! Sounds great with all those spices.
melissa says
That looks so good and easy to do. I have everything here except the short ribs. Yum
Jennifer says
Nice…this would be perfect on a cold, snowy day!
Mental P Mama says
Yum. Yum. Yum.
Jennifer says
I love cooking this time of year! Looks delish–I will add it to my queue!
Becky says
Well, you haven’t steered us wrong yet. This looks delicious. I just hope it tastes as good as it looks.
I have faith!
Bunny says
I love the big pieces of carrot and potatoes, this is great! I have pretty much all the ingredients too except the ribs. Still haven’t found the plum jam for the chicken recipe, but I’m still looking!
Marlene says
I may have to make this dish on Sunday…I wish you site had smellovision…Dang, now I am starving.
Will you adopt me?
Have a great weekend.
Marlene
Asthmagirl says
Yum! Those look amazing! Thank goodness for slow cookers!
Jenni in KS says
That looks delicious. I can smell the spices from here. Don’t you just love taking pictures of spices with gorgeous, rich colors like that?
But, but…they’re ribs. I don’t do ribs. I’ve only taken a bite of dh’s a few times, never had them myself. They just look soooo messy and difficult to deal with while eating. I don’t like foods that are difficult to handle. And do they even have enough meat on them to be worth it? I don’t eat chicken wings for the same reason. Maybe, just maybe I will give this a try though since you made it look so wonderful. Mentioning Morocco helps, too. I’ve always wanted to visit Morocco and I do enjoy letting my tastebuds travel when I can’t.
Suzette says
Whether I try your recipes or not, I always enjoy the posts so much. Your food prep photography is superb. I consider myself a pretty decent photographer, but illustrating a recipe is one knack I just don’t have. You’ve got the touch! Makes me WANT to make this – even if it’s way too much for this one-person family. đŸ™‚
Casey says
Ok, you. I am always excited when you post a new recipe and my expectations are always exceeded! Where do you get this stuff?! I am making this (AND the lazy taxpayer burgers)! I am salivating…this is my weekend project for sure.
Steph says
I too have been craving a dish like this, and I think this one will serve the purpose just well.
Louise says
A trip to Morocco is not in my future, but this dish sure is!
claudia (cook eat FRET) says
i totally but toally believe you
looks absolutely great
next time be an esoteric elitist snob like me and grind all your own spices and use real broth you made. like in all your spare time. heheheheeeeh
Starwoodgal says
Oh my stars! That looks wonderful.
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) says
I’m guessing these would be even better the second day, but there probably weren’t any leftovers!
Loving Annie says
Just dropped by again to say hello. Hope you have a good weekend, Cathy !
alexandra's kitchen says
they LOOK awesome. i believe you.
I am totally inspired to break out the slow cooker I got as a wedding gift that i have now used twice. this is exciting!
ELRA says
Wow, look who’s cooking? And not just an average cooking, it’s Moroccan! How delicious! I love Moroccan food very very much, Cathy.
Teri says
Yay… Cathy’s Back to cooking! See we’re all cheering!
I am so glad you put a Slow Cooker recipe in! I am always looking for something besides the basic stew that my family is sick of! This looks much more excited and probably makes the house smell so good! Thank you! It looks pretty in the dish too.
Tash says
wow this looks so good. I want to try this. You are a noble pig…take that Laura…just kidding
I liked the controversy it spiced up the Post Traumatic Election Disorder I was going through
Pam says
It’s rainy and cold here in Oregon and I want to make something warm and inviting. This stew looks really delicious and comforting.
Alisa says
Yummy. I can just imagine how good this smells cooking. And then the eating? My Lord, it’s enough to make me drive my lazy bum to the grocery store right now.
Debbie in CA : ) says
Oooooh I just LoOoOoOove a yummy stew. This has a new twist of flavor that I can’t wait to try. I think I even have some Morrocan music to enhance the dining atmosphere. Alas, I have no slow-cooker. I gave the wedding gift away YEARS ago after attempting all the boring canned-soup-based recipes older cooks lavished on me with praise — ICK! I am sure I can nurse this stew along in my french oval on a low, low flame. Can smell it already!
Amanda Louden says
Seriously thats looks AMAZING
Psychgrad says
I believe you!! The rub combines (almost) everything that is good in the world.
I have starred this recipe. We always stick with the same old stew and I think it’s time to kick it up a few notches.
vanessa says
I wonder if I should invest in a slow cooker… I have a feeling it wouldn’t be my favorite appliance either, but I have seen some recipes I would try if I had one. And I believe you that it was good.
Marysol says
Cathy, I haven’t had short ribs in years, and your results make me wonder why I hadn’t, as I love them too.
Your pictures are always inspiring. And with your recipe, I think I’ll treat the family to short ribs this fall.
TSannie/annbb says
I just adore shortribs and this sounds like wonderful way to prepare them!
dawn says
Mmmm, I swear I can smell that cooking. It does look very comforting indeed. I must try this.
Paula says
Oh, I believe, I believe! These look terrific. I’ve never prepared beef like that, and now I know this will go on the list of things to make. I bet it just smelled divine as it cooked! YUM!
Marjie says
I love ribs, but hate the bones, and can’t give the bones to my dog because he’s so enormous that he breaks them with his teeth. Seriously. But maybe I can turn this into a stew idea. It’s turning colder, and soup/stew is one of my favorite things for combatting cold weather blues!
Dr. John says
I loved it from the first picture.
Copied the recipe and some Sunday we will have it I’m sure.
dlyn says
Wow – that looks so good Cathy! [adding short ribs to my grocery list]
Liz C. says
Looks fabulous! I’ve never tried making this before, but you make it look so enticing, I feel compelled to try it.
Vicki says
I don’t own a slow cooker, but I’m going to try this in a low oven. Looks absolutely delicious!
medstudentwife says
I’m just droooling… some of my favorite taste combinations !!!
I don’t have a slow cooker, so will figure another way of cooking these babies đŸ˜€
Karen Deborah says
ohhh lawdy,,,,,puhleeze come see me and cook for me and I’ll drool all over and call you blessed,,,,yum yum yum
Blond Duck says
Oh yum! You always make the tastiest things!
katie says
I love short ribs, I think they are delicious but it is hard to get them to taste like anything other than a great pot roast. This looks just different enough to accomplish that!
grace says
this’d warm a person up, body and soul. it looks glorious, cathy, and good call with the cinnamon. đŸ™‚
Lori says
Wow, that finished bowl of short ribs and veggies looks SO good!!
Melissa says
I do believe you. I have a recipe for slow cooker ones in my current bon appetit. Definitely on the horizon. Short ribs were one of my favorite recipes I learned last year. SO good. Your pictures look scrumptious.
Lorraine E says
I love short ribs and can just imagine how good these would taste in a slow cooker! The meat would just fall off the bone!
canarygirl says
I swear, every time I come here, I leave drooling. Every. Time.
danielle delaney says
I found this recipe while looking for something different to do with ribs instead of the same old BBQ sauce in the crock pot. I’m excited to eat these because they smell yummilious.
Scary Mommy says
Cathy, that looks to die for!!!!
RecipeGirl says
These look… amazing. You can certainly tell that the meat falls off the bone and is tender as can be. Wonderful comfort food for sure.
Susan at Sticky,Gooey,Creamy,Chewy says
This one looks like another winner! I love Moroccan flavors and short ribs…well, nuff said! Gotta dig out the crock pot!
mikky says
this recipe looks so awesome!!! thanks for sharing… đŸ™‚
Wine Tasting Guy says
I believe you and MUST TRY THIS. A nice Malbec or Tempranillo would go great with this dish!
I’m surprised you are not a fan of the slow cooker. I love it!
MsMVNJ says
Yum!!! I make a similar dish with beef shanks or lamb shanks…try them sometime!
John G says
Made this last night, it was very good. The meat just fell off the bone, the family thought I was a genius.
Laura says
Omigod, I believe you. These look sooo good….
Laura says
My house smells amazing right now–thanks again for sharing this recipe.
melly says
Hi Cathy!
I’ve been so busy lately but today I finally took the time to catch up on my favorite blogs.
This stew looks fantastic! I’m always looking for new winter-y dishes and this one certainly fits the bill. And as always, beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Danielle says
Wow! I made this last night and it was sublime! It was easily one of the best dishes I have ever made! It was so easy too! The only ingredients I had to run out for was short ribs and dried apricots. The smell…oh the smell while cooking was heavenly! I have been thinking about it all day and I can’t wait to have it for dinner again tonight!
Next up is that fantastic looking pumpkin cake with apple cider glaze! I am so looking forward to making that!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this recipe!!!
sameera says
this recipe was absolutely delicious!!!! my friends 3 year old daughter was over and evens he ate it with such gust! thank you!
unmuse says
Oh my these were fantastic. I added molasses instead of honey (because I’d used the last in my tea) and they were gobbled up in seconds. Thank you!
Kelley says
Made these today, my husband and I agree they are the best food Ive ever made!!! DELISH!!!!!!! Thank you!
jennefer nary says
Are you serious? Meat off the bone has so much more flavor than boneless cuts. Honestly, I choose quality over quantity. I’m making this tonight because I happened to snag a couple of cheap beef ribs at the store earlier. I will definitely let you know how good it is. đŸ™‚ This is the kind of meal that I’d invite someone special over to share. I’m just saying, you are missing out!