If you’re craving a comforting, hearty meal that feels like it simmered all day—but only takes about an hour—this Instant Pot Short Rib Ragu is your new best friend. With tender, fall-off-the-bone beef in a rich tomato and red wine sauce, it’s the perfect easy dinner recipe for busy weeknights or special occasions.
Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Short Rib Ragu
This dish combines the deep flavors of traditional beef ragu with the convenience of modern cooking. Using the Instant Pot, you can achieve the same tender, flavorful results in a fraction of the time. Whether you’re serving it over pasta or gnocchi, this short rib pasta will quickly become a family favorite.
Ingredients
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900 g (2 lbs) bone-in short ribs (or 450 g boneless)
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15 ml (1 tbsp) vegetable oil
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1 small onion, finely diced
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2 garlic cloves, chopped
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60 ml (¼ cup) dry red wine
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700 g (25 oz) store-bought marinara or spaghetti sauce
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120 ml (½ cup) water
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3 g (½ tsp) salt
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0.5 g (¼ tsp) crushed red pepper
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Salt & pepper, to taste
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450 g (1 lb) pasta or gnocchi
Instructions
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Sear the Short Ribs: Set your Instant Pot to the sauté setting. While it heats, trim excess fat from the short ribs and pat them dry. Season generously with salt and pepper. Add oil to the pot, then sear the short ribs on all sides until browned. Remove and set aside.
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Sauté Aromatics: Wipe out excess oil with a paper towel. Sauté diced onion and garlic in the pot for 3 minutes, scraping up browned bits.
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Deglaze: Pour in red wine to deglaze the pot, letting it simmer for 2 minutes.
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Pressure Cook: Return the short ribs to the pot. Add marinara sauce, salt, and crushed red pepper. Rinse the sauce jar with 120 ml of water and pour it into the pot. Set Instant Pot to stew/meat mode (35 minutes). Let pressure release naturally.
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Shred Meat: Remove ribs and shred meat, discarding bones and large fat pieces.
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Reduce Sauce: Switch the Instant Pot to sauté to reduce the sauce and skim off fat. Return meat to pot, taste, and adjust seasoning.
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Serve: Serve hot overcooked pasta or gnocchi.
Cooking Tips
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Choosing the Right Cut: Bone-in short ribs add more flavor, but boneless work well too.
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Deglazing: Don’t skip deglazing with red wine—it lifts the flavorful bits from the bottom of the pot.Plays Well With Butter
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Adjusting Thickness: If the sauce is too thin after pressure cooking, use the sauté function to reduce it to your desired consistency.
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Serving Suggestions: This ragu pairs beautifully with gnocchi, pappardelle, or even creamy polenta.
A Personal Touch
This Instant Pot Short Rib Ragu has become a staple in my household. It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table, eager for seconds. The rich aroma fills the kitchen, creating an inviting atmosphere that’s perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.Mary’s Whole Life
What to Serve with Instant Pot Short Rib Ragu
Pair this hearty ragu with a simple green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the dish. A crusty baguette or garlic bread is perfect for sopping up the delicious sauce. For wine lovers, a glass of robust red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Chianti complements the flavors beautifully.
How to Store
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Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the ragu in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
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Reheat: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen the sauce.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes, beef chuck roast is a good alternative if short ribs aren’t available.
Is it necessary to use red wine?
While red wine adds depth, you can substitute it with beef broth if you prefer to avoid alcohol.
Can I make this without an Instant Pot?
Absolutely. You can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker or stovetop by adjusting the cooking times accordingly.
This Instant Pot Short Rib Ragu is the perfect recipe for busy weeknights or when you want to impress guests without spending all day in the kitchen. Quick, easy, and delicious, this dish will become your go-to meal. Try it today!
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Instant Pot Short Rib Ragu: A Cozy, Crowd-Pleasing Dinner in Under an Hour
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
Instant Pot Short Rib Ragu is a rich and hearty meat sauce made with tender short ribs simmered in a bold tomato and red wine sauce. Thanks to pressure cooking, this cozy comfort dish delivers deep flavor in under an hour, perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
-
900 g (2 lbs) bone-in short ribs (or 450 g boneless)
-
15 ml (1 tbsp) vegetable oil
-
1 small onion, finely diced
-
2 garlic cloves, chopped
-
60 ml (¼ cup) dry red wine
-
700 g (25 oz) store-bought marinara or spaghetti sauce
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120 ml (½ cup) water
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3 g (½ tsp) salt
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0.5 g (¼ tsp) crushed red pepper
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Salt & pepper, to taste
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450 g (1 lb) pasta or gnocchi (for serving)
Instructions
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Sear the Short Ribs: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Trim fat from short ribs, pat dry, and season well. Add oil to the pot and sear ribs on all sides until browned. Remove and set aside.
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Sauté Aromatics: Wipe out excess oil. Add onion and garlic; sauté for 3 minutes while scraping the bottom of the pot.
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Deglaze: Pour in red wine and let simmer for 2 minutes to deglaze.
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Pressure Cook: Return short ribs to the pot. Add marinara, salt, and crushed red pepper. Rinse the sauce jar with water and add that too. Set to meat/stew mode for 35 minutes. Let pressure release naturally.
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Shred the Meat: Remove the short ribs, discard bones and large fat pieces, and shred the meat.
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Reduce the Sauce: Use the sauté setting to simmer and thicken the sauce. Skim off any excess fat.
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Combine and Serve: Return meat to sauce, adjust seasoning, and serve hot over pasta or gnocchi.
Notes
Bone-in short ribs give richer flavor, but boneless can be used for convenience.
Deglazing with wine is key to lifting caramelized bits for maximum flavor.
Reduce sauce after cooking for ideal thickness.
Serve with hearty pasta like pappardelle, or over creamy polenta for variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot (Pressure Cooking)
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired / American Comfort Food