Slow-Cooked Brazilian Beef Ribs with Spiced Citrus Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Fall-off-the-bone Brazilian-style beef ribs slow-cooked with a zesty spiced citrus glaze that balances sweetness and heat. This Brazilian-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 200 minutes, pairs beef short ribs, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 180 min Serves 6 Brazilian cuisine 620 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Rub 3 lbs beef short ribs evenly with 2 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp paprika, and 1 tsp ground cumin.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Sear the ribs on all sides until deeply browned, about 3 minutes per side. Remove ribs and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same pot, stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 1 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, and 2 tbsp brown sugar, stirring to combine and bring to a simmer.
  4. Step 4: Return ribs to the pot, cover tightly with a lid or foil, and transfer to the oven. Cook low and slow for 3 hours until meat is tender and falling off the bone.
  5. Step 5: Remove ribs and place on a serving platter. Spoon the reduced sauce over the ribs and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Brazilian Beef Ribs with Spiced Citrus Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Slow-Cooked Brazilian Beef Ribs with Spiced Citrus Glaze?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef short ribs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Brazilian Beef Ribs with Spiced Citrus Glaze?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Slow-Cooked Brazilian Beef Ribs with Spiced Citrus Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Slow-Cooked Brazilian Beef Ribs with Spiced Citrus Glaze?

Brazilian slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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