Updated: Feb 27, 2024 · Published: Feb 16, 2023 · by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 49 Comments

Italian Short Ribs

Name: Italian Short Ribs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 100 min
Total time: 105 min
Ingredients: 4 tsp kosher salt; 2 tsp paprika; 2 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp cumin; 3-4 pds boneless beef short ribs, or 4-5 pounds of English-cut bone-in short ribs (cut crosswise into 2-1/2-inch-long pieces); 2 TB olive oil; 6 cloves garlic (peeled & smashed); 1/2 medium onion (small dice); 1 C red wine; 1 C beef broth; 1/2 C tomato sauce; 1 TBSP honey; 1 bay leaf; 2 TBSP tamari; 2 TBSP Worchestershire sauce (do not add if you want Paleo); 2 TBSP tapioca starch; 3 TBSP water

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For the most amazing Italian Short Ribs, this recipe will wow you. One bite of these juicy, fork-tender, & flavorful boneless beef short ribs and you will be smiling. Plus my recipe doesn't take hours braising, so let's get cooking!

Boneless beef short ribs with Italian gravy.

Instant Pot boneless beef short ribs with a red wine gravy is comforting & amazing. Not only does the pressure cooker ensure the meat is succulent but it cuts down the cooking time.

Don't braise for 3-4 hours when you can be done in half the time with better results! You get perfectly braised Italian beef short ribs in a savory red wine gravy that you will want to enjoy every last drop of.

Jump to:

What are Short Ribs?
How to Make Italian Short Ribs
Substitutions
Storing & Reheating
What to Serve with Boneless Short Ribs
More Instant Pot Recipes
FAQ
Italian Short Ribs

What are Short Ribs?

Many ask if short ribs are beef or pork. Short ribs are beef ribs usually meatier and larger than pork spare ribs. Short ribs can be either boneless or bone-in. Boneless short ribs are cut from the chuck or plate.

Bone-in short ribs consist of a short portion of the rib bones near the short plate, the last 7 ribs of a cow. My recipe for Smoked Beef Short Ribs uses bone-in short ribs. You can use country-style chuck ribs for this recipe too.

How to Make Italian Short Ribs

Here is a summary of the steps for making Italian Short Ribs in the Instant Pot. See the recipe card below for full instructions, ingredients, & amounts.

1 - Season & Sear the Short Ribs

To begin, season both sides of the short ribs with the first 5 ingredients. Select the "Saute" setting on the Instant Pot / electric pressure cooker and adjust it to High.

Once it reads HOT, add olive oil. By letting the pot come to high heat, the meat will cook faster and also not stick to the bottom.

Add 3-4 short ribs to hot oil, you want to sear the short ribs in batches, in one layer in the Instant Pot.

When they come away from the pot easily, they are ready. About 2 minutes on each side will brown them and add flavor.

Browning the short ribs on HOT in the Instant Pot (steaming up my camera lens too!)

Transfer browned short ribs to a plate and cover with foil. Repeat cooking with remaining short ribs. Saute onions until brown, about one minute. Hit the Cancel Button. The first stage is done in about 15 minutes.

2 - Add Ingredients & Set Instant Pot

Once all is done, add the remaining ingredients to the insert and whisk to come together. Add meat back into the pot. Put the lid onto the Instant Pot and seal it, making sure the vent on top is in the correct position.

Cook on MANUAL high pressure for 50 minutes. It took mine about 15 minutes to come to pressure. (we are now at 80 minutes total time so far)

3 - Natural Release

When it's done cooking, let it release naturally for 20 minutes, and then use the quick release on top to depressurize the Instant Pot. Be careful when moving the valve to release the pressure, the steam will be very hot!

DO NOT use the quick release without letting it release naturally. You want the meat to retain the natural juices and letting it come down slowly ensures the meat rests versus seizing up. (we are now at 100 minutes total time so far)

After natural release, remove the lid to find this beautiful sight

4 - Make the Red Wine Gravy

To make the gravy in the Instant Pot, remove the ribs from the pot using a slotted spoon. They may fall apart as you remove them and if you used bone-in, they will likely fall off the bone.

If you used bone-in short ribs, remove any bones from the pot and discard if there is no meat still attached. This is a good sign and how you know it will be incredible. Place on a serving platter and tent with foil to keep warm while making the gravy.

Remove the meat to a platter to rest while making the gravy in the Instant Pot

In 5 minutes, the gravy will be ready. Remove the bay leaf and discard. In a small bowl mix together 3 tablespoons of water and 2 tablespoons of tapioca starch together. Pour into the braising liquid still in the pot and whisk to ensure it is smooth.

Hit the saute button, cook, and stir until thickened and bubbly. The beef short rib gravy will be a reddish-brown color. It will be thick once ready and time to turn it off and spoon the gravy over the short ribs. In just 105 minutes the boneless ribs and gravy are ready - from start to finish!

Instant Pot Short Ribs with Gravy on a platter topped with fresh parsley.

Substitutions

Here are some alternate recipe ideas & ingredients you can use for making this recipe.

Keto/Low-Carb - omit the honey & cut the tapioca starch in half when making the gravy.
Red Wine - if you prefer to not use wine or any type of alcohol, you can use Dr. Pepper or Coca-Cola as your braising liquid instead of wine.
Boneless Short Ribs - you bone-in beef short ribs or boneless country-style chuck ribs if that is all you can find. The cooking time will be the same for the chuck ribs. For Bone-in short ribs, add 20 more minutes to the Instant Pot.

Storing & Reheating

This recipe for short ribs and gravy stores well. Place leftovers in an air-tight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pot on the stove with the grave over medium heat until heated through.

Short ribs also freeze well. Place short ribs and gravy in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag & seal. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator for best results.

Italian boneless short ribs on a platter with red wine gravy & topped with parsley.

What to Serve with Boneless Short Ribs

This meat & gravy recipe is great served on top of potatoes or pasta. It goes well with polenta, noodles, or my recipe for homemade ciabatta bread to soak up all that gravy. Or try one of these side dish favorites:

CHOPPED ITALIAN SALAD
OVEN ROASTED GREEN BEANS
ROASTED POTATOES & BROCCOLI
AIR FRYER BROCCOLINI WITH PARMESAN

More Instant Pot Recipes

Looking for more meals to make in the instant pot, try these recipes:

Product Recommendations for this Recipe:

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer & Sterilizer, Includes App With Over 800 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 6 Quart

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