Slow Cooker Autumn Equinox Dinner: This slow cooker meal only needs five ingredients, but it gives you so much cozy flavor in return. It’s the kind of easy dinner that becomes a regular favorite once the weather turns cool. Beef plate ribs have lots of marbling, which means they turn super soft and tender after cooking low and slow. As the meat cooks, the veggies sitting around it soak up all that rich, meaty flavor too. This dish just feels right for fall — it’s hearty, simple to make, and warms you up from the inside, all with just a few ingredients doing the heavy lifting.
Serve these soft, tender ribs with thick pieces of crusty bread or warm rolls with butter, so you can soak up every drop of the tasty juices. If you want to add more to the plate, try a simple green salad or some steamed green beans for a fresh, light bite next to the rich beef. For something to drink, dry red wine, apple cider, or sparkling water with a little lemon all go really well with the deep, earthy taste of this fall dish.
Servings: 4 to 6
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 pounds raw beef plate ribs
- 1 pound baby potatoes
- 4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into big chunks
- 1 large yellow onion, cut into thick wedges
- 1 packet onion soup mix
Slow Cooker Autumn Equinox Dinner: Directions
- Add the ribs first. Lay the raw beef plate ribs in a flat, even layer across the bottom of your slow cooker insert. Try to spread them out so they cook evenly and none of them are stacked too high on top of each other.
- Add the vegetables. Scatter the baby potatoes, carrot chunks, and onion wedges over and around the ribs. Tuck some of the vegetables into the gaps near the meat so they can soak up the flavor as everything cooks together.
- Season everything. Sprinkle the packet of onion soup mix evenly over the top of the ribs and vegetables, making sure it’s spread out and not just piled in one spot. Cover the slow cooker with its lid.
- Cook low and slow. Set the slow cooker to LOW and cook for 8 to 9 hours, or set it to HIGH and cook for 5 to 6 hours. You’ll know it’s done when the beef is very tender and pulls apart easily, and the vegetables are soft all the way through.
- Serve it up. Carefully lift the ribs and vegetables out of the slow cooker and place them on a serving platter. Spoon some of the warm cooking juices over the top for extra flavor, and serve the dish while it’s still hot.