Instant Pot Short Ribs

This Instant Pot beef short ribs recipe is a low-carb, diabetic-friendly pressure cooker meal made with beef short ribs, garlic, broth, and tomato paste for a rich sauce. It’s designed for home cooks who want tender short ribs without hours of braising, ready in about 1 hour.

If you love rich comfort food but want something low-carb and diabetes-friendly, these Instant Pot beef short ribs are a perfect option. The pressure cooker creates fall-apart tender meat in a fraction of the time traditional braising takes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Low-carb and diabetic friendly
• Uses the Instant Pot pressure cooker for faster cooking
• Tender, juicy short ribs every time
• Simple ingredients with no added sugar
• Great for meal prep and reheating

Instant Pot Short Ribs

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 –3 lbs beef short ribs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• ½ onion chopped (optional)
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or rosemary optional

Method

 

1. Press Sauté on the Instant Pot.
2. Add olive oil and brown the ribs 2–3 minutes per side.
3. Remove ribs and set aside.
4. Add beef broth, garlic, onion, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste.
5. Scrape the bottom of the pot to prevent the burn warning.
6. Return the ribs to the pot.
7. Close the lid and set the valve to Sealing.
8. Press Pressure Cook and set the time for 45 minutes.
9. Allow 10–15 minutes natural pressure release, then carefully vent the remaining steam.
10. Remove the ribs.
11. Press Sauté again and simmer the liquid 5–10 minutes to create a thicker sauce.

Notes

We tested this Instant Pot short ribs recipe several ways and found that browning the ribs first using the sauté function produces the richest flavor. Allowing at least 10 minutes of natural release also helps the short ribs stay tender.

Tips for Best Results

• Brown the ribs first for deeper flavor.
• Use at least 1 cup liquid when pressure cooking.
• Let the ribs rest in the sauce for a few minutes before serving.
• If you want a thicker sauce, simmer it using the Sauté setting.

Variations & Substitutions

Replace half the broth with dry red wine for a classic braised flavor.

Add garlic, ginger, and soy sauce for an Asian-style short ribs version.

Boneless ribs cook using the same pressure cooker time.

Serving Suggestions

These Instant Pot beef short ribs pair well with:

• Cauliflower mashed potatoes
• Roasted broccoli
• Garlic sautéed spinach
• Low-carb cabbage dishes

They also work well with other diabetic-friendly comfort recipes like beef and cabbage soup.