Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs Barbacoa with Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

4.58 from 21 votes

Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs Barbacoa are tender, succulent, spicy and delicious! Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice is the perfect accompaniment!

Prep Time20

Cook Time4 30

Total Time4 50

Course: Beef

Cuisine: Southwestern / Mexican

Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Kosher

Servings:

4 cups beef broth
1 can (10-ounce) tomato puree
4 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce from a can, chopped plus as much adobo sauce as you can get from the can (a 7-ounce can)
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 tablespoons dried Mexican oregano
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
3 whole cloves
2 bay leaves
3 tablespoons canola oil or olive oil
6 beef short ribs 4-5 pounds, long cut
1 large onion chopped
12 cloves garlic sliced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons cornstarch
Chopped fresh cilantro and sprigs for garnish

Combine first 9 ingredients in a slow cooker. Set slow cooker on High (4 hours) or Low (8 hours), depending upon your preferred cooking time to preheat.
Heat oil in a large skillet or saute pan over medium-high heat. Season short ribs generously with salt and black pepper. Brown well on all sides. Place in slow cooker.
Place onion in the skillet. Reduce heat to medium and cook the onion for 3 to 4 minutes to soften and get the browned bits off the pan. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds or just until fragrant. Transfer to slow cooker. Cover and cook 4 hours on High or 8 hours on Low.
Remove 1 cup of the liquid and let cool slightly. Add the cornstarch and stir until smooth. Add it back to the slow cooker and let slow cooker continue cooking on High for several minutes to thicken. (Sauce will thicken more upon standing.)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place cauliflower on a large baking sheet. Stir in garlic. Drizzle with olive oil and lime juice. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Roast for 10 to 12 minutes or to desired doneness. Stir in cilantro.

MAKE AHEAD:

FREEZER-FRIENDLY:

Cool thoroughly then portion out as desired. Place in airtight containers and freeze for 1-2 months.
Thaw in the refrigerator then reheat in the oven or toaster oven at 350 degrees. If you plan to freeze the cauliflower rice, undercook it by 4-5 minutes.