Name: Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3–4 lb beef short ribs; 1 tbsp salt; 1 tsp pepper; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup beef broth; 1/2 cup red wine or extra beef broth; 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tsp thyme

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If you’re craving something that melts in your mouth and feels like a warm hug on a plate, this Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine rich, tender beef short ribs cooked to perfection in a savory sauce, all done quickly in your Instant Pot. It’s comfort food elevated, bringing that deep, hearty flavor into your kitchen without hours of slow cooking, making it a favorite go-to for any day you want to impress or just enjoy a satisfying meal. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a white plate on the left with six pieces of raw red meat with fat layers on top. Around the plate are small white bowls arranged in a loose circle: one bowl has chopped orange carrots, another has chopped white onion, a third contains chopped light purple shallots, and a fourth is filled with chopped garlic. There are two small bowls with dark brown sauce, one near the meat and one closer to the center. There is a small bowl with salt and another with black and white pepper. A small round plate with fresh green thyme sprigs sits near the bottom left. On the right side, there are two clear glass measuring cups, one with dark brown liquid and the other with a light brown broth. Next to them is a white bowl filled with white flour. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Every ingredient here is straightforward, but together they create a flavor-packed masterpiece. Each plays a crucial role in building the richness, tenderness, and balance of this dish, so don’t skip or substitute without care!

3–4 lb beef short ribs: The star of the dish, providing rich, flavorful meat that becomes incredibly tender under pressure.
1 tbsp salt: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the natural beef flavors perfectly.
1 tsp pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth without overpowering the dish.
1 tbsp olive oil: Used to brown the ribs and develop those irresistible caramelized flavors.
1 onion, diced: Brings sweetness and body to the sauce.
3 cloves garlic, minced: Infuses the sauce with its signature savory punch.
1 cup beef broth: Creates the rich, savory base that tenderizes and flavors the ribs.
1/2 cup red wine or extra broth: Adds complexity and a touch of acidity to brighten the sauce.
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce: Gives a tangy umami boost that complements the beef beautifully.
2 tbsp tomato paste: Thickens the sauce and lends a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.
1 tsp thyme: Adds an earthy, aromatic note that rounds out the flavor profile.

How to Make Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs Recipe

Step 1: Season and Sear the Ribs

Start by generously seasoning your beef short ribs with salt and pepper. This simple step locks in flavor. Then, set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode and heat olive oil until it shimmers. Brown the ribs on all sides until they develop a gorgeous crust. This not only keeps the juices inside but creates those deep, caramelized notes that are the hallmark of a great short rib dish. Remove the ribs and set them aside for now.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

Next, add diced onion and minced garlic to the Instant Pot. Cook them just for a couple of minutes until they soften and release their fragrance. This step lays the flavorful foundation for your sauce and melds beautifully with the tomato paste you’ll add next.

Step 3: Build the Sauce

Stir in the tomato paste with the onions and garlic, allowing it to cook briefly until it darkens slightly—this deepens the flavor. Then pour in the beef broth, red wine or additional broth, Worcestershire sauce, and sprinkle in the thyme. Give everything a good stir to combine all those delicious elements.

Step 4: Pressure Cook to Tender Perfection

Return the browned short ribs to the Instant Pot, nestling them gently into the sauce. Seal the lid and set your Instant Pot to cook on High Pressure for 45 minutes. This pressure-cooking magic transforms the ribs from tough to tender in less than an hour. Once the cooking time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before switching to quick release.

How to Serve Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs Recipe

A white bowl filled with layers of dark brown, tender beef chunks on top. Around the beef are several whole golden brown potatoes and thick slices of soft orange carrots, all coated in a rich, shiny sauce. Small white sesame seeds are sprinkled over the beef and vegetables, with small green onion pieces adding a splash of color. A spoon with a white and black handle rests on the edge of the bowl. The bowl is placed on a black cloth over a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Finish your dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or thyme to add a fresh, vibrant touch both visually and in flavor. A light drizzle of the thickened sauce over the ribs makes everything shine and tastes incredible.

Side Dishes

These ribs call for simple but hearty sides. Creamy mashed potatoes, buttery polenta, or even roasted root vegetables make perfect companions, soaking up the luscious sauce and balancing the richness perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to impress at your next dinner, serve the ribs over a bed of garlic-infused mashed cauliflower for a lower-carb twist or atop buttered egg noodles for a cozy, rustic vibe. You can even shred the meat off the bone to create decadent sliders or tacos that pack all the flavors you love in a handheld format.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let your leftovers cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Stored in the fridge, your short ribs will stay delicious for up to 4 days, giving you plenty of time to enjoy this wonderful meal again without losing an ounce of flavor.

Freezing

If you want to keep these ribs even longer, freezing is a great option. Place the cooled ribs and sauce into a freezer-safe container or bag, making sure to remove as much air as possible. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months, ready to thaw and reheat for an easy meal later.

Reheating

When ready to eat, gently reheat the ribs on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, making sure to cover them to keep all that moisture locked in. If the sauce has thickened too much, add a splash of broth to loosen it back up and keep that silky texture.

FAQs

Can I use frozen ribs in this Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs Recipe?

Absolutely! You can cook frozen short ribs straight from the freezer, but it’s best to add about 10 extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure they become tender all the way through.

Is it necessary to use red wine?

Not at all! The red wine adds depth and a slight acidity to the sauce, but you can easily substitute it with extra beef broth for an alcohol-free version that’s just as flavorful.

How do I thicken the sauce if it’s too thin?

After cooking, mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the hot sauce. Let it simmer on Sauté mode for a few minutes until it thickens to your liking.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! All the ingredients in this Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs Recipe are naturally gluten-free, just double-check your Worcestershire sauce as some brands may contain gluten. There are many gluten-free versions available.

How do I know when the ribs are done?

Once the Instant Pot cooking and natural pressure release are complete, the ribs should be fall-off-the-bone tender and easily pulled apart with a fork. If they’re not quite there, you can seal the pot again and cook for an additional 10 minutes under high pressure.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about this Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs Recipe. It takes the classic slow-cooked favorite and makes it accessible, fast, and utterly delicious without losing any of that soul-warming magic. Whether for weekday dinner or a weekend treat, these ribs bring comfort and joy to your table with ease. Give this recipe a try, and I promise it will become a beloved staple in your kitchen, just like it is in mine.