Best Instant Pot Short Ribs

Introduction

Discover the magic of the Best Instant Pot Short Ribs—a dish that delivers fall-off-the-bone tenderness, deep savory flavor, and a mouthwatering sauce, all in a fraction of the time required for traditional braising. Whether you’re seeking an impressive weeknight dinner or a comforting meal for a crowd, this recipe brings together irresistible taste and stress-free preparation thanks to the Instant Pot.

Why These Are the Best Instant Pot Short Ribs

Unlock the secret to intensely flavored short ribs that taste like they’ve simmered for hours—yet are ready in under 90 minutes. The Instant Pot pressure cooking method infuses the meat with a robust, aromatic sauce, yielding perfectly tender ribs that are sure to please any palate. This one-pot wonder minimizes cleanup while maximizing flavor, making it ideal for families, dinner parties, or satisfying your comfort food cravings.

Building Layers of Flavor

Short ribs, with their marbled richness, shine brightest when cooked with aromatics like onions, garlic, and herbs. Browning the ribs first is key: it creates a foundation of deep flavor to complement the red wine, beef broth, and tomato paste that form the base of the sauce. A quick sauté in your Instant Pot is all it takes to elevate this dish, ensuring a result that’s both hearty and refined.

Perfecting the Instant Pot Method

Pressure cooking drastically reduces cook time while locking moisture and flavors inside the meat. After browning, simply stack the ribs, cover with sauce, and let the Instant Pot work its magic. A final reduction of the sauce brings the dish together, cloaking every rib in a rich, silky glaze. Serve with mashed potatoes or creamy polenta to soak up every delicious drop.

Serving Suggestions for Show-Stopping Instant Pot Short Ribs

Serve these short ribs atop a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, buttery egg noodles, or velvety polenta for a restaurant-worthy meal. Garnish with fresh parsley or thyme and serve alongside roasted vegetables or a crisp green salad to round out the feast.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 4, with each portion providing approximately 450–550 calories, depending on serving size and side dishes. Protein-rich and satisfying, these short ribs are an occasional indulgence—perfect for sharing!

Best Instant Pot Short Ribs (Recap)

These Instant Pot short ribs combine unbeatable tenderness, bold flavors, and weeknight simplicity. With minimal hands-on effort, you get a luxurious main course worthy of any occasion.

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Instructions

1. Season short ribs evenly with salt and pepper.
2. Set Instant Pot to Sauté (high). Add olive oil, sear ribs in batches until browned (about 2–3 minutes per side). Transfer browned ribs to a plate.
3. Add onion to pot; sauté 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and tomato paste, cooking another minute.
4. Pour in red wine, scraping up browned bits. Reduce by half (about 3–4 minutes). Stir in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves.
5. Return ribs to pot, nestling them in the liquid. Secure lid; set to Pressure Cook (Manual) for 45 minutes.
6. Let pressure release naturally for 10–15 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
7. Transfer ribs with tongs to a serving platter. Discard bay leaves.
8. (Optional) To thicken sauce: Set pot to Sauté. Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water, whisk into sauce, simmer 2–3 minutes until thickened.
9. Spoon sauce over ribs, garnish with fresh herbs, and serve hot.

Weekly Meal Planning

This short ribs recipe is a fantastic addition to your weekly meal prep lineup. Save and schedule this recipe for any night you want something special with minimal weeknight effort. CookifyAI will automatically generate smart shopping lists—combining this and other recipes’ ingredients to save time, money, and reduce food waste.

Planning Benefits:

• Effortlessly totals ingredients across all your saved recipes
• Organizes everything by grocery store sections for super efficient shopping
• Helps avoid duplicate purchases and forgotten items
• Maximizes your time in the kitchen and at the store

Pro tip: Schedule your meals in advance—if you’re planning mashed potatoes as a side for these short ribs and for another dish, CookifyAI totals up the potatoes needed for the whole week!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes (including pressure build up)
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Enjoy these Best Instant Pot Short Ribs—a flavor-packed, easy meal planning solution for busy home cooks!