These Rustic Instant Pot Short Ribs are an easy, impressive weeknight or weekend dinner. Tender, fall-off-the-bone beef braised in a savory red wine and herb sauce — but made quickly in the Instant Pot.
Table of Contents
- This recipe is…
- Why You’ll Love This Short Ribs Recipe
- Beef Short Ribs Recipe Ingredients
- Recipe Variations and Modifications
- How to Make Short Ribs
- Beef Short Ribs Instant Pot Recipe Tip
- How to Serve Short Ribs
- How to Store and Reheat
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More of Our Best Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Short Ribs Recipe
This recipe is…
Start by searing the short ribs on the Instant Pot’s sauté setting to develop a deep, caramelized flavor. Deglaze the pot with red wine, add balsamic and lemon for brightness, tuck in fresh herbs, seal the lid, and let pressure work its magic. The result is richly flavored meat and a sauce perfect for spooning over mashed potatoes.
If you prefer a hands-off approach, this same flavor profile works well in a slow cooker — simply braise on low until the meat is tender. Serve with creamy mashed potatoes and sautéed or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Why You’ll Love This Short Ribs Recipe
- Slow-braised flavor with only about 20 minutes of active prep
- Instant Pot reduces braising time drastically compared to traditional methods
- Red wine, balsamic, garlic and fresh herbs make a robust, balanced sauce
Beef Short Ribs Recipe Ingredients
Everything you need for Instant Pot short ribs with notes on simple swaps below.
- Ghee – 2 tablespoons
- Short ribs – 3 pounds
- Salt – 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
- Pepper – 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Garlic – 3 large cloves, minced
- Red wine – 1 cup
- Balsamic vinegar – 1/3 cup
- Lemon – juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tbsp)
- Rosemary – 2 sprigs
- Sage – 2 sprigs
A complete ingredient list with exact measurements appears in the recipe card below.
Recipe Variations and Modifications
Customize these short ribs with a few easy swaps:
- Herbs – Use thyme, oregano, or parsley if you don’t have rosemary or sage.
- Liquid – Omit balsamic if preferred and add extra red wine or beef broth for a milder sauce.
How to Make Short Ribs
These are the essential steps to prepare Instant Pot short ribs.
Step 1: Set the Instant Pot to sauté and melt ghee. Season short ribs with salt and pepper. Brown the ribs 4–5 minutes per side, working in batches so they don’t overcrowd.
Step 2: Remove browned ribs. Add minced garlic to the pot and sauté until fragrant, scraping up browned bits.
Step 3: Pour in the red wine and deglaze, scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in balsamic vinegar and lemon juice. Return the short ribs to the pot and add rosemary and sage. Seal the lid, set to manual pressure for 45 minutes. After cooking, allow a natural pressure release for about 15–20 minutes before opening.
Beef Short Ribs Instant Pot Recipe Tip
Slow Cooker Version – For a slow cooker, pat ribs dry, season, place meat-side up, pour remaining ingredients over the ribs, and cook on high for 7–8 hours until tender.
How to Serve Short Ribs
Serve the ribs hot over creamy mashed potatoes and spoon extra sauce over the top. Add simple sautéed green beans or steamed cauliflower for a vegetable side.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan, the Instant Pot on sauté, or in the oven with a splash of liquid to preserve moisture, or microwave until just warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Short ribs are richly marbled and flavorful. They benefit from braising—slow cooking in liquid—so pressure cooking or slow cooking makes them tender and delicious.
Back ribs come from the upper back and are longer and leaner. Short ribs are cut from the lower rib area near the brisket, are usually shorter, and have more marbling and a fat cap, which makes them excellent for braising.
More of Our Best Instant Pot Recipes
Instant Pot Loaded Potato Soup
Instant Pot Paleo Egg Roll Meatballs
Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas and RiceIf you tried this Rustic Instant Pot Short Ribs, please leave a star rating and share how it turned out in the comments below!
Instant Pot Short Ribs
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons ghee
- 3 pounds short ribs
- 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup red wine
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (or juice of 1 lemon)
- 2 sprigs rosemary
- 2 sprigs sage
Instructions
- Set Instant Pot to sauté and add ghee.
- Season short ribs with salt and pepper. Brown ribs 4–5 minutes per side, working in 2–3 batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Remove the ribs and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
- Add red wine and scrape up browned bits. Stir in balsamic vinegar and lemon juice. Return short ribs to the pot with rosemary and sage.
- Seal the lid, set to manual pressure for 45 minutes. Allow a natural release of about 15–20 minutes, then open.
- Serve over mashed potatoes with extra sauce.
Recipe Notes
- Pat ribs dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Place meat in slow cooker and pour remaining ingredients over the ribs.
- Cook on high for 7–8 hours or until meat is fork-tender.
Nutrition
Additional Info
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