Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for beef short ribs in the Instant Pot, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Basic Instant Pot Short Ribs:
Boneless Beef Short Ribs – Both types of Short ribs are an incredibly tough cut of meat, but when cooked properly, you can cut them with a fork. Buy boneless beef short ribs (cut from the chuck, or shoulder) if you can find them. Otherwise, many butchers will actually remove the bones from bone-in short ribs (cut from the belly) for you, which is what I did for this Instant Pot short ribs recipe. You can also make it using bone-in short ribs if you prefer — you’ll just need to add 10 minutes to the cook time. Sea Salt & Black Pepper Olive Oil – For searing the meat. Avocado oil also works. Beef Broth – The Instant Pot always requires some liquid for pressure cooking, and beef broth is one of the most flavorful choices. For an even richer sauce and more nutrition, use bone broth. Coconut Aminos – This is similar to soy sauce, with a combination of salty, sweet, and umami flavors. Another soy sauce substitute or regular soy sauce is also fine to use. Garlic – Use fresh garlic cloves for best flavor or jarred garlic for convenience.
Optional Add-Ins:
Dried Bay Leaves – Add classic flavor to the short ribs. Gelatin Powder – Helps make the sauce thick and glossy (similar to a cornstarch slurry) — be sure to use unflavored gelatin. You can also use a different cornstarch substitute.
How To Cook Short Ribs In The Instant Pot
This section shows how to make Instant Pot short ribs, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card. This recipe uses just five ingredients to keep it as simple as possible. However, you can definitely make it even more flavorful by adding:
Onion – Saute 1/2 of a diced white or yellow onion before adding the garlic. Veggies – Dice carrots and celery into small pieces, and saute before adding the garlic. Red Wine – Add 1/2 cup of merlot or cabernet sauvignon together with the broth. Balsamic Vinegar – Add 1/4 cup of balsamic with the broth. Tomato Paste – If you like sweet, rich tomato flavors, add 1 6-ounce can of tomato paste with the broth. Fresh Herbs – Such as fresh thyme sprigs, fresh rosemary sprigs, or both. Add right before pressure cooking, then discard at the end.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep leftover Instant Pot beef short ribs in fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat: Reheat the beef in the oven together with the sauce, covered in foil, for best results. You can microwave, but be careful to not overcook, or the meat will dry out. Freeze: Cool completely, place in an airtight container or freezer bag (with the sauce/cooking liquid), and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serving Ideas
You can serve Instant Pot brased short ribs with all kinds of side dishes, from traditional to inventive:
Potatoes – Mashed potatoes are the classic choice to soak up the juices, but you can make mashed cauliflower (pictured above) for a lighter option or roasted potatoes for a different twist. Vegetables – Try easy veggie sides like baby broccoli, oven roasted zucchini, or crispy smashed brussels sprouts (or fried brussels sprouts). Or make your entire meal in the Instant Pot by choosing Instant Pot cauliflower. Salads – Serve the short ribs over a salad for a lighter dinner (or lunch) in one bowl! Try them in place of steak in this steak salad or instead of chicken on a cobb salad. Tacos – Stuff the meat into your favorite tortillas with some taco slaw, or combine with a fresh salsa recipe, avocado or guacamole, shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, red onions, and sour cream. Soups – Add leftover Instant Pot short ribs to vegetable soup for a hearty meal, or swap out the pork in pork stew.
More Tender Meat Recipes
If you enjoy these Instant Pot short ribs (I know you will!), you might also like some of these other tender meat recipes: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. How to make bone-in short ribs: You can make this a bone-in short rib recipe, too. The weight will be approximately 3-3.5 lb, and you will need to increase the cook time to 50 minutes. 📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Winter Ebook Bundle!
