These short ribs are so tender and flavorful and ready in just over an hour in the Instant Pot. They’re the perfect dinner solution for a set-it-and-forget it meal or an impressive dinner for friends.
» You might also like this Slow Cooker Beef Ragu with Pappardelle.
I love making short ribs in the slow cooker, but sometimes I really don’t have time for that. To get it right, it’s a day-long endeavor. That’s why I almost always turn to the Instant for making tender, fall-apart short ribs. If you have the time you will love this beer braised short rib recipe.
The Instant Pot is a great tool to cut down the cooking time of dishes like this one that typically take all day to make. In the slow cooker or on the stovetop, short ribs need at least 5 hours to cook. But in the Instant Pot, they’re ready in just over an hour.
These short ribs reach fall-apart tender status in a fraction of the time they take in the slow cooker. And the flavor is incredible. In fact, cooking them in the Instant Pot actually increases the flavor due to the intensified maillard reaction.
On a side note, if you’re looking for high-quality ground beef and meat, check out Butcher Box. It’s a subscription meat box with 100% grass-fed beef, free-range, organic chicken, heritage breed pork, and wild caught Alaskan salmon. All the meat is humanely raised and never given antibiotics or added hormones ever. See our full review of the service.
I’m super impressed with the quality of the meat from ButcherBox and won’t go back to purchasing meat at the grocery. Plus, it’s way easier to have it delivered to your door.
Why Use An Instant Pot
The Instant Pot is one of the most useful kitchen appliances you can buy, because it drastically cuts down on the cooking time for developing flavors in soups and stews, getting tough cuts of meat tender, and even baking a cheesecake. And there are many accessories that will help you get more out of your Instant Pot.
If you don’t have one yet, check out our guide on which one to buy. You can also check out our Instant Pot page for more information.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Beef short ribs – Beef short ribs is a specific cut that comes from the chuck portion. It is actually beef ribs that are shortened by cutting. This particular cut is known for its rich beefy flavor and marbling.
- Cooking oil – You can use olive oil, canola oil or any cooking oil for this recipe. It is used for searing the meat.
- Onion – Quartered. Onion adds a slightly sweet and savory flavor.
- Carrots – Peeled and cut into sticks. Carrots are loaded with vitamins and also add flavor and heartiness.
- Garlic – Freshly cut or smashed cloves are best, but chopped garlic from the store will also work.
- Beef broth – Beef broth makes this soup rich and gives it a meaty flavor. However, If you want a vegan version, add vegetable stock.
- Red wine or bourbon – Red wine adds a richness to the sauce. You can substitute more broth if you want.
- Thyme – Adding fresh thyme sprigs adds aroma.
- Spices for the rub – Paprika, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, dried thyme and garlic powder.
How to Make Instant Pot Short Ribs
Short ribs are often sold in pieces that are about 3-4 inches long. When you’re shopping for beef short ribs, those are the perfect size for cooking in the Instant Pot. Sometimes they come in much longer pieces, which won’t fit in the pot, so be mindful of that.
Step One
Rinse and pat dry the ribs. Then you’re ready for the dry rub.
Step Two
Mix together the dry rub.
Use all of the rub to coat the ribs. You can proceed immediately, or leave them to marinate in the rub for 15-20 minutes.
Step Three
Turn on the saute mode on the Instant Pot. Add some cooking oil to the pot and let it get hot.
As soon as the oil is shimmering, add the ribs, meat side down and sear for about 3 minutes on each side. You want to get a nice dark sear on the meat, as this adds flavor and rich color.
As soon as you’ve seared each side, turn off saute mode. Remove the ribs to a plate.
Step Four
Deglaze the pan by adding the beef stock and red wine. Whisk the brown bits off the bottom of the pot.
Return the meat to the pot. Top with the carrots, onion, garlic and thyme.
Step Five
Close the lid and set the vent to sealing. Set to pressure cook on high for 50 minutes.
When done, allow for a natural pressure release, which takes about 10-15 minutes. Then you can open the pot and serve it up.
The bones can be removed from the meat. As you’re doing that, you’ll notice there is a spongy membrane between the bone and meat. I like to remove that as well. If you don’t mind that texture, you can leave it on.
I like to serve the meat over a bed of mashed potatoes, with the carrots and onions on the side. It’s such a delicious plate of food!
Tips and Notes
- You can use either red wine or bourbon in this recipe. Both are very good. If you don’t wish to use either, just add a bit more beef broth to the pot.
- If you wish to serve the gravy with the meat, strain it through a sieve and skim off the fat. It can be thickened in the pot, if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Cook Instant Pot Short Ribs From Frozen?
You can make these short ribs in the Instant Pot, even if your short ribs are frozen. Just note that they won’t develop as much flavor this way, because you will have to skip the browning step.
Browning the short ribs before cooking them adds a tremendous amount of flavor, so I really don’t recommend skipping this step, but if you’re really strapped for time and don’t have time to defrost the ribs beforehand, don’t let that stop you.
You’ll need to add an additional 10 minutes to the cook time when using frozen meat.
Can I Skip Natural Pressure Release?
It can be a bit frustrating to have to wait the entire 30 minutes it takes to naturally release the pressure from the Instant Pot. However, when cooking meat that you want to be tender, it’s better to allow the pressure to naturally release.
This is because the meat needs a resting period to relax and rest. If you’re really strapped for time, you can cut down the pressure release time and it won’t negatively affect the outcome. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then you can quick release the rest of the pressure.
What Should I Serve Short Ribs With?
The ribs can be served with mashed potatoes or cauliflower, rice, or pasta. The carrots cook along with it in the pot and those make a great veggie side. Serve with this classic wedge salad or potato leek soup.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Like this recipe? We’d love for you to share it on your Pinterest board! Click to follow our Pinterest boards so you can find all our recipes!
Instagram it! If you try this recipe please tag #AFoodLoversKitchen on Instagram or Twitter. We love to see your photos of our recipes! Also follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to keep up on what we’re cooking up.
Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds beef short ribs
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1/2 small onion quartered
- 2 medium carrots peeled and cut into sticks
- 2 cloves garlic smashed
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup red wine or bourbon
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme optional
For the rub
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry the ribs.
- Mix together the dry rub ingredients. Use all of the dry rub to coat the ribs.
- Press the "saute" mode on the Instant Pot. Allow it to heat up for 3 minutes. Add the cooking oil. When the oil is hot, add the ribs, meat-side down, and brown on all sides.
- Cancel saute mode and remove the ribs from the pot. Pour in the beef broth and red wine. Whisk to remove the browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Simmer for 3 minutes.
- Place the beef ribs into the liquid in the Instant Pot. Add the carrots, onions, and garlic on top of the meat. Toss in the thyme sprigs, if using.
- Secure the lid on the pot and set the vent to sealing. Press the "pressure cook" button on the Instant Pot and set the time to 50 minutes. After the time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally (about 15-20 minutes).
Equipment Needed
Notes
- You can use either red wine or bourbon in this recipe. Both are very good. If you don’t wish to use either, just add a bit more beef broth to the pot.
- If you wish to serve the gravy with the meat, strain it through a sieve and skim off the fat. It can be thickened in the pot, if desired.
Nutrition
🥧 If you’re interested in more great recipes, I share all my favorite Instant Pot recipes over at A Pressure Cooker Kitchen, air fryer recipes at Air Fry Anytime, and cocktails and drinks at Savored Sips. Check it out today!
PIN IT FOR LATER
Laura is a home cook who loves making new recipes and finding new favorite things to eat, whether at home or abroad. She also runs a popular travel blog and spends a lot of her time traveling for food.
Looks delicious! I’m a big fan of short ribs but haven’t ever tried anything like this! Yum!!!
I can’t believe how much flavor you can get into these in so little time with the Instant Pot!
The instant makes this recipe super easy, and the meat so tender! A great meal for two!
That looks delicious. So tender and tasty. I look forward to trying it. I love using my Instant Pot!