Juicy Instant Pot Short Ribs Recipe: Fall-off-the-Bone Magic

Culinary magic happens when these succulent Instant Pot short ribs melt into a tender, flavor-packed experience.

Beef lovers will adore how quickly this method transforms tough cuts into luxurious, fall-apart meat.

Every kitchen deserves a reliable recipe that impresses without consuming hours of preparation time.

Rich marinades penetrate deep, creating layers of complex taste that dance across your palate.

Pressure cooking unleashes incredible depth, concentrating savory notes in ways traditional methods cannot match.

Weekend meals suddenly become extraordinary with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

You’ll want to savor each incredible bite of this restaurant-quality dish that brings gourmet comfort directly to your table.

Why Instant Pot Short Ribs Are So Worth It

• Speed Demon: Whip up mouthwatering short ribs in under an hour, transforming tough meat into a succulent dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimize cleanup with this Instant Pot recipe that handles searing, braising, and cooking all in the same convenient appliance, saving time and reducing dish-washing hassle.
• Foolproof Flavor: Achieve restaurant-quality results with minimal cooking skills, as the Instant Pot ensures perfectly tender, deeply seasoned short ribs every single time.
• Crowd-Pleaser Meal: Impress family and guests with a dish that looks and tastes like you've been cooking all day, but actually requires simple steps and minimal effort.

Instant Pot Short Ribs: What You’ll Need

• Short Ribs: Rich, meaty cut perfect for slow cooking, best when well-marbled with fat for maximum tenderness and flavor.
• Beef Broth: Liquid base that helps tenderize meat and adds deep savory notes, choose low-sodium for better control of saltiness.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing meat's natural flavors, kosher salt recommended for even seasoning.
• Garlic Powder: Adds subtle aromatic depth without overwhelming the meat's natural taste.
• Dried Thyme: Provides earthy herbal undertones that complement beef's richness.

• Olive Oil: Used for searing meat to develop rich brown crust and seal in juices, extra virgin preferred for better flavor.
• Onions: Provides sweet undertones and helps create a flavorful braising liquid.
• Fresh Garlic: Adds robust, pungent flavor that deepens overall dish complexity.

Instant Pot Short Ribs How-To Guide

Step 1: Prepare the Meat

Grab your short ribs and give them a generous massage of salt and black pepper, making sure to coat every single surface.

This layer of seasoning will create an amazing flavor foundation for your dish.

Step 2: Fire Up the Instant Pot

Activate the Instant Pot’s “Sauté” mode and pour in some olive oil.

Let the oil get nice and hot, creating a perfect searing environment for your meat.

Step 3: Create Golden Perfection

Carefully place the seasoned short ribs into the hot oil.

Let them sizzle and dance for 3-4 minutes on each side until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust.

This step locks in those incredible flavors and creates a mouthwatering exterior.

Step 4: Prepare Flavor Boosters

• Beef broth
• Red wine
• Garlic cloves
• Fresh thyme
• Rosemary sprigs
• Worcestershire sauce

Step 5: Build the Braising Liquid

Pour the beef broth and red wine into the Instant Pot.

Add minced garlic, fresh thyme, and rosemary sprigs.

Splash in some Worcestershire sauce for an extra depth of flavor.

Step 6: Combine and Pressure Cook

Return the seared short ribs to the Instant Pot, nestling them into the flavorful liquid.

Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 45 minutes.

Step 7: Natural Release and Rest

Once the cooking cycle completes, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 15 minutes.

This helps the meat become incredibly tender and allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Step 8: Create a Luscious Sauce

Remove the short ribs and tent them with foil.

If you want a thicker sauce, use the “Sauté” mode to reduce the cooking liquid or create a quick cornstarch slurry to thicken.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the short ribs, spooning the rich, glossy sauce over the top.

These ribs are perfect served over mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, or with roasted vegetables.

Short Rib Prep for Instant Pot Success

• Ensure meat is completely dry before searing to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust that locks in incredible flavor.
• Sauté onions, garlic, and herbs before adding short ribs to build a rich, deep base that elevates the entire dish's taste profile.
• Select well-marbled, bone-in short ribs for maximum tenderness and succulent meat that falls right off the bone.
• Add just enough beef broth or red wine to cover the bottom of the pot, preventing burning while creating a delicious braising liquid.
• Allow short ribs to rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking to let juices redistribute, ensuring each bite is incredibly moist and tender.

Instant Pot Ribs That Keep Their Tender Texture

• Store leftover short ribs in an airtight container for up to 4 days, ensuring they're completely cooled before sealing.
• Pack ribs in freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, removing excess air, and freeze for 2-3 months for best quality.
• Add a splash of beef broth, place ribs in the pot, and warm on low pressure for 3-4 minutes to retain moisture and tenderness.
• Preheat to 325°F, place ribs in a covered baking dish with a bit of broth, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.

Perfect Pairings for Instant Pot Short Ribs

• Elevate Flavor with Red Wine Pairing: Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah complement the rich, meaty short ribs perfectly, cutting through the fat and enhancing the deep, robust flavors.
• Creamy Sidekick Recommendation: Smooth mashed potatoes or parmesan polenta provide a velvety, comforting base that absorbs the savory short rib juices and balances the meat's intensity.
• Fresh Herbal Contrast: Crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette offers a light, zesty counterpoint to the heavy, tender short ribs, refreshing the palate between each succulent bite.
• Rustic Bread Companion: Crusty sourdough or garlic bread becomes the perfect tool for soaking up the rich, flavorful braising liquid, adding a delightful textural element to the meal.

Instant Pot Short Ribs In New Flavors

• Lean Protein Swap: Replace beef short ribs with chicken thighs or turkey legs for a lighter protein option while maintaining similar cooking techniques.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Eliminate traditional onions and use celery root or cauliflower as base vegetables to reduce carbohydrate content and maintain rich flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free tamari sauce instead of traditional soy sauce and ensure all seasoning ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Keto-Friendly Modification: Add extra beef tallow during searing process and incorporate high-fat ingredients like butter or cream to increase fat content and align with ketogenic nutritional requirements.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen short ribs for this recipe?

Yes, but thaw them completely first and pat dry before seasoning and searing to ensure proper cooking and browning.

• What if I don't have an Instant Pot?

You can adapt this recipe to a slow cooker or Dutch oven. For slow cooker, reduce liquid and cook on low for 8 hours. For Dutch oven, braise in the oven at 325°F for 2.5-3 hours.

• How do I know when the short ribs are fully cooked?

The meat should be tender and easily pull apart with a fork. Internal temperature should reach 195-205°F, which indicates the collagen has broken down completely.

• Can I substitute the type of meat?

Beef chuck roast or beef brisket can work as alternatives, but cooking times might slightly vary depending on the cut’s thickness and marbling.

Instant Pot Short Ribs Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Instant Pot Short Ribs deliver mouthwatering comfort with rich, deep flavors that melt in your mouth. Hearty beef braised in a robust sauce promises a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 3 to 4 pounds bone-in beef short ribs

Liquids:

• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/2 cup red wine (or substitute with more beef broth)
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) honey or brown sugar
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 sprig rosemary

Optional Thickening:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) water

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly coat the short ribs with a robust seasoning blend of salt and pepper, ensuring complete coverage on every surface for maximum flavor infusion.
2. Activate the Instant Pot’s sauté function and allow the olive oil to heat until it shimmers with intense culinary potential.
3. Carefully lower the seasoned short ribs into the hot oil, creating a rich caramelized exterior by searing each side for 3-4 minutes until a deep golden-brown crust develops.
4. Gently transfer the beautifully browned ribs to a separate plate, preserving their crusty exterior while preparing for the next cooking stage.
5. Within the same Instant Pot, quickly sauté minced garlic and diced onions until they become translucent and release their aromatic essence.
6. Deglaze the pot with red wine, scraping up the flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom, which will intensify the overall depth of the dish.
7. Add beef broth, tomato paste, worcestershire sauce, and fresh thyme to create a complex braising liquid that will tenderize and flavor the meat.
8. Return the seared short ribs to the liquid, nestling them carefully to ensure they are partially submerged but not completely covered.
9. Secure the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to sealing, and pressure cook on high for approximately 45 minutes to transform the meat into a meltingly tender delicacy.
10. Allow a natural pressure release for 15 minutes, then carefully remove the ribs and reduce the remaining sauce to a rich, glossy consistency.
11. Plate the short ribs, generously drizzle with the reduced sauce, and garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a final touch of brightness.

Notes

• Opt for well-marbled, bone-in short ribs to ensure maximum flavor and tenderness during cooking.
• Patting the meat dry before seasoning helps create a perfect golden-brown crust when searing.
• Use high smoke point oils like avocado or grapeseed for better searing without burning.
• For a gluten-free version, replace traditional flour-based thickeners with cornstarch or arrowroot powder when making the sauce.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 620
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 55 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg