Craving some juicy ribs without busting out the grill?  This recipe is perfect for you!  You can make delicious spare ribs using your Instant Pot!  Crazy?  I think not.  Awesome?  Definitely.  Once you find out how amazing these turn out and how easy it is to make them, you’ll want to make them all the time!

As a mother, life gets busy. Sometimes, I don’t have the time to make a nutritious dinner which is why I love my Instant Pot. I can make delicious things like these short ribs or any other nutritious meal in half the time. No need to get out the grill or spend an eternity cooking.

What are Short Ribs?

Short ribs are more or less what they sound like.  They come from the area on a cow where the ribs are.  However, a short rib doesn’t cover the whole rib area.

Instant Pot Short Rib Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make Instant Pot Short Ribs:

• Beef Short Ribs: As stated above, this cut of beef is near the ribs.  You can get them from the meat counter at the grocery store, or your local butcher.
• Sea Salt: This is healthier than regular table salt, but it has a different consistency.  You can find it in the spice aisle with other kinds of salt.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Make sure to use extra virgin olive oil and not regular olive oil, as it will change the taste and texture. 
• Yellow Onion: Make sure to use yellow onion and not a different type of onion because it will affect the taste. 
• Carrots: You can find these in the produce section, or your garden if you grow them!
• Garlic: It’s best to use fresh garlic for this recipe, since it’s not being minced.  You can find this in the produce section.
• Balsamic Vinegar: This provides a rich and slightly sweet flavoring for the ribs.  It can be found near the olive oils.
• Dry Red Wine: Make sure to use a dry red wine and not a sweet red wine because that will completely change the flavor.
• Honey: This sweet and sticky liquid from bees is used to make the sauce for the ribs.  You can purchase honey at the store or get some from a local beekeeper!
• Bay Leaves: These add a subtle flavor and help the meat from getting too heavy.  .
• Rosemary: This is a fragrant herb that adds to the flavor of the roast. 
• Thyme: This is another herb that adds to the flavor of the meal which can be found in the produce section.

You can find the exact ingredients in the recipe card at the end of this post!

How to Make Instant Pot Short Ribs

Here are the steps to make these easy Instant Pot short ribs:

Step 1: Prep the Ribs

Remove short ribs from refrigerator at least 30 minutes, but not more than 2 hours, before cooking. Season generously with salt and black pepper, to taste, and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Ribs

Select the “Sauté” function on the Instant Pot and add one tablespoon olive oil once hot. Add seasoned short ribs and sear on each side, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. (Work in batches, if necessary, adding more olive oil as necessary). Transfer seared ribs to a plate and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté Veggies

Add remaining olive oil, yellow onion, and carrots to Instant Pot®. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until vegetables become golden brown, approximately 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for another 60 seconds.

Step 4: Add Liquid

Pour in broth, balsamic vinegar, red wine, and honey. Stir to combine, gently scraping any brown bits off the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon in the process. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes before turning the unit off.

Step 5: Pressure Cook

Return seared short ribs to the pot and add bay leaves and fresh herbs. Add lid and lock into place. Switch the vent to “Sealing” and set the “Manual” setting to 45 minutes.

Step 6: Natural Release

When cook time is complete, allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure, if necessary.

Step 7: Keep Ribs Warm

Remove lid and discard the bay leaves and woody stems from the rosemary and thyme. Carefully transfer short ribs and carrots to a serving platter and cover to keep warm. Set aside.

Step 8: Blend the Sauce

With an immersion blender, blend the pan sauces until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings, as desired.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Serve short ribs and carrots immediately over a bed of mashed potatoes or cauliflower. Drizzle with some of the sauce and serve immediately.

Enjoy!

How Long Do these Ribs Need to Cook?

To start, you’ll sear the ribs for about 3 minutes per side.  After you’ve made your sauce, you’ll need to let the ribs cook for 45 minutes.  Then let the pressure naturally release for about 10 minutes.  So altogether you’ll be cooking them for about an hour.

Why do I need to let the Ribs come to pressure naturally?

Letting the ribs come to pressure naturally helps make the meat tender.  If you want to learn more about this process, you can check out my post, Instant Pot Natural Release Vs Quick Release.

Do I Have to Use Short Ribs?

As stated above, short ribs are a section of the ribs, but not the long ribs we are used to. Because short ribs are beef ribs taken from the plate cut, they require different cooking methods than regular beef ribs. For this recipe, ONLY use short ribs.

Side Dish Recommendations

There are so many options you can make for sides to go with your short ribs!  Here are some of our favorites:

• Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Loaded Broccoli Salad
• Creamy Pea Salad
• Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Loaded Cauliflower Bake

Other Instant Pot Rib Recipes to Try

If you liked this recipe (and I’m sure you did), here are some others we’re sure you’ll like:

• Instant Pot Asian Sticky Ribs
• Instant Pot Ribs: Baby Back Ribs
• BBQ Ribs
• Instant Pot Country Style Ribs
• Instant Pot Dr. Pepper BBQ Ribs