Description
These Melt-in-Your-Mouth Instant Pot Braised Short Ribs are fall-apart tender and packed with savory, deep flavor using an alcohol-free sauce made with balsamic vinegar and beef broth. The Instant Pot does all the hard work in under 90 minutes.
Ingredients
3 pounds bone-in beef short ribs
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 yellow onion, diced
3 carrots, peeled and diced
3 celery stalks, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 (15 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
3 cups beef broth
2 rosemary sprigs
2 bay leaves (fresh or dried)
Mashed potatoes for serving (optional)
Steamed asparagus for serving (optional)
Instructions
1. Pat short ribs dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
2. Turn Instant Pot to Sauté (High). Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and sear ribs 2–3 minutes per side in batches. Remove and set aside.
3. Add remaining oil to pot. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 3 minutes.
4. Stir in garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Pour in balsamic vinegar and all the beef broth. Scrape bottom to deglaze.
6. Add fire-roasted tomatoes. Return ribs to pot. Add rosemary and bay leaves.
7. Seal lid. Cook on High Pressure for 45 minutes. Let pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then use Quick Release.
8. Remove ribs. Discard rosemary and bay leaves. Skim off fat.
9. Optional: Turn to Sauté and simmer sauce uncovered for 5–10 minutes to reduce. Use cornstarch slurry if needed.
10. Serve ribs over mashed potatoes with sauce and asparagus.
Notes
For a thicker sauce, use a slurry made with 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 3 tablespoons water.
Balsamic vinegar replaces red wine, offering deep flavor without alcohol.
Boneless short ribs can be used but bone-in gives better richness.
Try with mashed potatoes, polenta, or crusty bread for a full meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 394
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 646mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 98mg