Instant Pot Short Ribs

Beef Short Ribs in the Instant Pot – So Easy!

If you are wondering what is the difference between short ribs and spare ribs, don’t worry, lots of people wonder about this same question. The quick answer is short ribs are beef, and spare ribs are pork.

The long answer is that short ribs are cuts of beef from the brisket, chuck, plate, or rib areas of the cow. They consist of a short portion of the rib bone.

When cooked correctly, short ribs should fall apart and melt in your mouth! Traditionally, braising short ribs takes a really long time, but now with the Instant Pot, this savory dish can be made in less than an hour. And trust me – they’re delicious!

Why We Love These Short Ribs

• Instant Pot beef short ribs are a hit with kids and adults alike.
• Braised in a rich sauce, this easy recipe for Instant Pot Short Ribs delivers the most delectable, restaurant-quality, fall-off-the-bone beef short ribs!
• This Instant Pot short ribs recipe saves you hours compared to traditional braising methods.

Recipe Ingredients

• Beef Broth: Provides a rich, savory base, enhancing the depth of flavor and umami of the dish.
• Fish Sauce: Adds a deep umami taste.
• Brown Sugar: Offers a subtle sweetness and helps caramelize the ribs.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Variations

There are a variety of ways to season and flavor your short ribs. Some of our favorites are:

• Braised: braising meat basically just means that you sear the meat and then cook it in a small amount of liquid in a tightly covered pan (basically this recipe!)
• Korean-Style: For a Korean twist, the sauce is a mix of soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, garlic, red wine, and sesame oil. This combination creates a savory, sweet, and slightly tangy flavor.
• BBQ Flavor: For a classic BBQ flavor, include ketchup, rings of raw onion, garlic, liquid smoke, honey, and Worcestershire sauce. This mix provides a sweet, tangy, and smoky taste.
• Smoked: There is this super cool ingredient called liquid smoke which can give your food the flavor of being smoked in a smoker.
• With Veggies: you can cook veggies like carrots at the same time that you cook the short ribs.
• With Potatoes: you can dice 3-4 potatoes and place them in a steamer basket and then place that on top of the short ribs. Cook for 42 minutes and natural release for 15 minutes. I love this because everything is done in one pot! Hurray for fewer dishes!

How to Make Instant Pot Short Ribs

Step 1: Whisk the ingredients for the sauce together in a small mixing bowl or glass measuring cup, and set aside.

Step 2: Turn the Instant Pot on to SAUTE mode. Once HOT, add oil. Season short ribs generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place 3-5 short ribs in the Instant Pot at a time, and brown all sides. Note, you will want to do two batches if you are doing more than 5 short ribs. Crowding will steam the meat, not brown it. Place the short ribs on a plate and set aside.

Step 3: Add onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 3-5 minutes or until soft. Add garlic and Sauté for an additional minute.

Step 6: Remove the lid and serve short ribs on a bed of homemade mashed potatoes.

Expert Tips

• Sear for Flavor: Ensure each short rib is well-browned on all sides during the searing step. This caramelization adds depth and complexity to the dish.
• Use a Wooden Spoon: When deglazing the pot, use a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits on the bottom. This helps to incorporate all the flavors into the sauce and prevents scratching your Instant Pot.

FAQs

Storage Info

To STORE Instant Pot short ribs, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. For longer storage, FREEZE the short ribs in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

To REHEAT, thaw in the fridge overnight if frozen, then warm in a saucepan over medium heat until hot, or use the microwave.

More Beef Recipes to Try

• Vegetable Beef Stew
• Corned Beef and Cabbage
• Instant Pot Pot Roast
• Perfect Pot Roast