Instant Pot short ribs so tender they literally fall right off the bone and melt in your mouth. Imagine achieving this succulent perfection in an incredibly short 45 minutes! These delectable BBQ short ribs aren’t just fast; they’re infused with rich, smoky flavors that will make them an instant hit at your dinner table.

Effortless Instant Pot Short Ribs: A Game-Changer for Busy Cooks

My culinary journey with short ribs has been nothing short of an obsession! When I first perfected our recipe for oven-braised short ribs, I knew I had found a true favorite. The rich, slow-cooked flavors were unparalleled. This initial success quickly sparked a flurry of new ideas, leading to our incredibly decadent Korean oven-braised short ribs. Yet, the persistent question remained: could the magic of tender, flavorful short ribs be replicated in the speed and convenience of an Instant Pot?

The answer is a resounding yes! These easy, sticky BBQ beef short ribs capture all the beloved flavors of traditional barbecue, but they come together with remarkable ease and speed. The Instant Pot transforms what is typically an hours-long endeavor into a meal ready in under an hour, making it perfect for weeknights or when unexpected cravings strike. We love to elevate this dish by serving it alongside a generous portion of creamy steakhouse smashed potatoes and a refreshing, vibrant garden balsamic avocado salad, creating a perfectly balanced and incredibly satisfying meal.

Once you experience the incredible tenderness and deep flavor of these Instant Pot beef short ribs, they are sure to become a new family favorite. We’re confident you’ll be just as excited as we are about this recipe!

Essential Ingredients for Your Instant Pot Short Ribs

Crafting these succulent pressure cooker short ribs requires a selection of ingredients, many of which are likely already in your pantry. This makes it an ideal recipe to whip up whenever the craving hits, without needing a special trip to the grocery store. Here’s a detailed look at the components that come together to create these unforgettable Instant Pot beef ribs:

Bone-in Beef Short Ribs: The star of the show. Bone-in ribs offer superior flavor and moisture compared to boneless cuts, resulting in a richer, more authentic taste and texture.
BBQ Rub: A good quality BBQ rub is crucial for building the foundational smoky and savory flavors that will permeate the meat.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a bright, tangy note to the BBQ sauce, balancing the richness and sweetness.
Worcestershire Sauce: Provides a deep, umami-rich savory element that enhances the beef’s natural flavor.
Liquid Smoke: Delivers an authentic smoky flavor without needing a smoker, essential for that classic BBQ taste.
Ground Mustard: Contributes a subtle pungent heat and depth, complementing the other spices in the sauce.
Ketchup: Forms the sweet and tangy base of our sticky BBQ sauce, offering a familiar and comforting flavor.
Dark Brown Sugar: Essential for the signature sticky-sweet glaze, it also helps tenderize the meat and promote browning.
Red Onion: Minced red onion adds a fresh, aromatic pungency to the sauce, developing complex flavors as it cooks.
Garlic Powder: A staple in any savory dish, garlic powder provides a consistent, robust garlic flavor throughout the sauce.
BBQ Sauce: While we’ll enhance it, starting with a good quality BBQ sauce (homemade or store-bought) provides a convenient and flavorful foundation.
Apple Juice: Used as the liquid for pressure cooking, apple juice infuses the ribs with a subtle sweetness and helps to tenderize them. Pineapple juice is also a fantastic alternative, offering a slightly different fruity tang.

Pro Tip for Your BBQ Sauce: For a truly personalized touch, you can make these incredible short ribs with either our beloved Classic BBQ Sauce for a traditional, well-rounded flavor, or experiment with our Carolina BBQ Sauce for a zesty, mustard-based kick that will delight your taste buds.

How Many Bone-In Short Ribs Per Person for a Satisfying Meal?

When planning your meal and portioning beef short ribs, a good rule of thumb for adult servings is to plan on 2 short ribs per person. This usually provides a generous and satisfying portion. For younger diners, a single rib might be sufficient, while those with heartier appetites – like our resident foodie, Cade – might appreciate a little extra! It’s always better to have a little too much than not enough, especially when they’re this delicious.

Mastering the Art of Instant Pot Short Ribs: Speed and Flavor Combined

Cooking succulent BBQ beef short ribs in an Instant Pot mimics the deep, rich flavors achieved through oven braising, but with an astonishing difference in cooking time. The Instant Pot truly possesses a superpower, much like a culinary superhero, transforming hours of cooking into mere minutes. What would typically take a full afternoon in the oven is miraculously completed in just 45 minutes with the Instant Pot. This incredible appliance creates a high-pressure environment that tenderizes the tough short ribs to perfection, infusing them with flavor in a fraction of the time.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to cooking these phenomenal BBQ Instant Pot short ribs:

1. Prepare the Irresistible Smoky BBQ Sauce: The magic of these beef short ribs lies in their exceptionally sticky and finger-licking good smoky BBQ sauce. We start with a base and then enhance it to achieve an extra layer of stickiness and smoky depth. You can begin with your favorite homemade BBQ sauce for a personalized touch, or use a high-quality store-bought option. In a pot, combine apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, ground mustard, ketchup, dark brown sugar, minced red onion, garlic powder, and your chosen BBQ sauce. Stir all the ingredients together until well combined, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.

2. Sear the Short Ribs for Deep Flavor: Searing is a critical step that locks in juices and builds a rich, caramelized crust, contributing immensely to the final flavor profile. Liberally sprinkle all sides of your bone-in beef short ribs with your favorite BBQ rub. Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode on a higher heat setting and drizzle a little olive oil into the pot. Once hot, carefully place the short ribs in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. You’ll likely need to work in a few batches to brown all the ribs evenly. Sear each side for 2-3 minutes until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms. Remove the browned ribs and set them aside.

3. Pressure Cook to Melt-in-Your-Mouth Perfection: Deglaze the Instant Pot by adding apple or pineapple juice to the bottom, scraping up any browned bits from the searing process – these bits are packed with flavor! Place a trivet into the pot, then carefully arrange the seared short ribs on top of the trivet. Pour 1 cup of the smoky BBQ sauce you prepared earlier over the ribs. Secure the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the sealing ring is properly in place, and set the steam release valve to the “Sealing” position. Change the Instant Pot setting to “Pressure Cook” (or “Manual”) on high pressure for 45 minutes. Once the cooking time is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for 10-15 minutes. This crucial step helps keep the ribs incredibly tender. After the natural release, carefully move each rib to a cookie sheet. Brush them with a little more of the remaining BBQ sauce, then broil them in the oven for 2-4 minutes until the sauce is deliciously caramelized and sticky.

Helpful Instant Pot Tip: Don’t forget to check out our comprehensive Instant Pot Cheat Sheet! It’s an invaluable resource packed with all the essential information you need to confidently cook a variety of basic ingredients and dishes in your Instant Pot.

Can These BBQ Beef Short Ribs Be Cooked in a Traditional Oven?

Absolutely! While the Instant Pot offers unmatched speed, cooking beef short ribs in the oven is a classic and equally delicious method, relying on a technique known as braising. This involves searing the meat, then slowly cooking it in liquid in a covered pot, resulting in exceptionally tender, fall-apart ribs. For all the detailed steps and expert tips on how to perfectly braise beef short ribs to achieve maximum flavor and tenderness, we invite you to explore our dedicated oven-braised short ribs post.

Can These Beef Short Ribs Be Prepared in a Slow Cooker or Crock-Pot?

Yes, indeed! If you prefer the convenience of a slow cooker (or Crock-Pot) over an Instant Pot, these BBQ beef ribs can be just as successfully prepared using that method. Follow the same initial cooking instructions outlined above for preparing the sauce and searing the ribs. After searing, transfer the ribs to your slow cooker, pour over the BBQ sauce and apple/pineapple juice, and then cook on low for 4-5 hours, or until the ribs are incredibly tender and easily pull apart with a fork. While the slow cooker does its magic, we still highly recommend finishing them under the broiler for a couple of minutes just before serving. This final step creates that desirable sticky, caramelized exterior that makes these ribs truly irresistible.

Optimal Internal Temperature for Perfectly Tender Short Ribs

Achieving that coveted melt-in-your-mouth tenderness in short ribs requires specific internal temperatures. While the USDA suggests beef is safe to eat at 145°F, for short ribs, you want the collagen to break down completely, transforming tough connective tissue into succulent gelatin. This process occurs at much higher temperatures. For optimum tenderness, aim for an internal temperature between 190-203°F. At this range, the meat will be unbelievably juicy, fork-tender, and will effortlessly fall right off the bone.

Expert Tips for Making Your Instant Pot Short Ribs Unforgettable

Crafting truly exceptional Instant Pot short ribs involves a few key considerations that can elevate your dish from good to absolutely fantastic:

Bone-in vs. Boneless Beef Short Ribs: While beef short ribs can be found both bone-in and boneless, for this particular recipe, we strongly advocate for using bone-in short ribs. The bone contributes significantly to the richness and depth of flavor during cooking, and it helps keep the meat incredibly moist and tender. When you’re at the butcher shop or grocery store, look for bone-in short ribs that have already been cut into individual, manageable pieces. If boneless is your only option, they will still work well, but you might notice a slight difference in the richness of the final product.
Avoid Crowding the Pot During Searing: When browning your short ribs in the Instant Pot, it’s absolutely crucial not to overcrowd the pot. Giving each rib its own ample space allows for proper searing and caramelization. If you pack too many ribs into the pot at once, they will steam instead of brown, preventing the formation of that delicious, flavor-enhancing crust. This means you will likely need to sear the ribs in a few batches, but the extra effort is well worth it for the depth of flavor it adds.
Smart Shopping and Storage for Beef Short Ribs: We understand that beef short ribs can sometimes be a more premium cut of meat, making them a bit on the spendy side. To enjoy them more frequently without breaking the bank, we recommend keeping an eye out for sales. When you find them at a good price, stock up! You can then use a Food Saver or similar vacuum sealer to portion and freeze them. This method preserves their quality beautifully, ensuring you always have delicious short ribs on hand for special occasions or whenever the craving for a quick, tender meal strikes.

Explore More Delicious RIB RECIPES:

Traeger Smoked Ribs
Smoky BBQ Instant Pot Ribs
Instant Pot Country Style Ribs
Braised Beef Short Ribs in the Oven
Asian Sticky Slow Cooker Ribs
Mustard Carolina BBQ Sauce Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs
Korean Oven Braised Short Ribs
Easy BBQ Ribs
Blackberry Hoisin BBQ Ribs

Discover More Amazing INSTANT POT RECIPES:

Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes
Healthy Instant Pot Turkey Chili
Instant Pot Taco Soup
Award Winning Instant Pot Turkey
Instant Pot Southern Macaroni and Cheese
Better Than Grandma’s Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Easy Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
BBQ Instant Pot Whole Chicken
ALL OF OUR INSTANT POT RECIPES!

Rating: 4.18 from 105 votes

Sticky BBQ Instant Pot Bone-In Beef Short Ribs

By Sweet Basil

Prep
5 mins

Cook
45 mins

Total
50 mins

Servings
4 servings

Sticky BBQ Instant Pot Bone-In Beef Short Ribs

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Beef short ribs so tender they fall right off the bone and melt in your mouth. Even better: these BBQ Instant Pot Short Ribs are done in just 45 minutes!

Ingredients

For the BBQ sauce:

1 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
2 Tablespoons Liquid Smoke
2 teaspoons Ground Mustard
1 1/4 Cups Ketchup
1 1/4 Cup Dark Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Minced Red Onion
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
3/4 Cup BBQ Sauce

For the short ribs:

4 Pounds Bone-in Beef Short Ribs
2 Tablespoons BBQ Rub
1/2 Cup Apple juice (or pineapple juice)

Instructions

Make the BBQ sauce:

In a pot, add the vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, ground mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, red onion, garlic powder, and BBQ sauce. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
Turn the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

Make the short ribs:

Sprinkle all sides of the ribs generously with the BBQ rub.
Heat an Instant Pot with the sauté mode on a higher heat setting and add a drizzle of oil.
Brown each side of the ribs in batches to avoid crowding, then set them aside.
Place the apple juice or pineapple juice in the bottom of the Instant Pot and set in a trivet.
Add the seared ribs on top of the trivet and pour 1 cup of the smoky BBQ sauce over them. Place the lid on and set the valve to seal.
Turn the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high, setting the time for 45 minutes.
Allow a natural pressure release for 10-15 minutes, then carefully remove the lid.
Set the ribs on a baking sheet and brush with a little more sauce, then broil for 2-4 minutes in the oven until caramelized and sticky.
Brush with more sauce just before serving, and enjoy over smashed potatoes.

Recipe Notes

May be refrigerated for 3-4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 rib, Calories: 370kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 91mg, Sodium: 328mg, Sugar: 20g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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