Instant Pot Red Wine Rosemary Short Ribs: Savory Comfort in Under Two Hours

When the chill of winter calls for hearty, warming meals, nothing quite satisfies like a plate of perfectly tender short ribs. Imagine succulently braised meat, infused with the rich notes of red wine and fragrant rosemary, effortlessly falling off the bone with every bite. Traditionally, achieving such depth of flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture requires hours of slow cooking. However, thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot, these incredible red wine rosemary short ribs deliver that classic, slow-braised taste in just a fraction of the time.
If you haven’t yet embraced the convenience of an electric pressure cooker, now is the perfect moment to jump on board. This recipe showcases the Instant Pot’s ability to transform tougher cuts of meat into culinary masterpieces with astonishing speed. Forget spending your entire afternoon tending to a simmering pot; with an Instant Pot, you can have fall-off-the-bone tender short ribs ready to enjoy in just a little over an hour of total time, with only 45 minutes of active pressure cooking. It’s the ultimate solution for busy weeknights when you crave gourmet comfort food without the gourmet effort.
The Instant Pot Advantage: Unleashing Flavor and Tenderness, Fast
The Instant Pot is a true game-changer in the kitchen, especially for recipes like these red wine rosemary short ribs. Its high-pressure cooking environment drastically reduces cooking times while locking in moisture and intensifying flavors. This means you can achieve the deep, complex tastes usually associated with hours of slow simmering in a fraction of the time. The enclosed environment also ensures that every ounce of flavor from the red wine, aromatic vegetables, and fresh herbs is infused directly into the meat, resulting in an exceptionally rich and satisfying dish.
Beyond speed, the Instant Pot offers unparalleled convenience. It allows you to brown the short ribs, sauté the aromatics, and then pressure cook all in the same pot, minimizing cleanup. This versatility makes it an indispensable tool for meal prepping or simply preparing delicious, hearty meals without a fuss. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or new to the kitchen, the Instant Pot makes crafting impressive dishes like these tender short ribs accessible and enjoyable. Once you experience the ease and incredible results, you’ll wonder how you ever cooked without it.
These Instant Pot short ribs are a testament to how modern kitchen appliances can elevate traditional comfort food. The combination of succulent meat, savory red wine gravy, and fragrant rosemary creates a dining experience that feels both luxurious and deeply comforting. Served over creamy mashed potatoes, al dente pasta, or a wholesome ancient grain medley, this dish is guaranteed to become a new family favorite.
Pairing Perfection: With Ancient Grains for a Nutritious Twist

While these Instant Pot short ribs are undeniably delicious on their own, their rich flavor profile truly shines when paired with the right accompaniment. While mashed potatoes or pasta are classic choices, we highly recommend serving them over a wholesome Ancient Grains Medley for a delightful twist. Specifically, Hodgson Mill’s Ancient Grains Medley, especially their rosemary and olive oil flavor, creates an exquisite synergy with the deep, savory notes of the short ribs.
What exactly is an Ancient Grains Medley? It’s a nutritious and flavorful blend, typically featuring grains like KAMUT® Khorasan wheat, sorghum, and teff. This particular combination offers a wonderfully nutty and hearty texture that perfectly complements the robust meatiness of the red wine short ribs. For those unfamiliar with these grains, they are a fantastic way to introduce new textures and flavors into your diet. And don’t let their “ancient” status fool you; they are remarkably versatile and incredibly delicious as a whole grain side dish.
Whole grains, by definition, retain all parts of the grain – the bran, germ, and endosperm – unlike refined grains which strip away the nutritious bran and germ. This means they are packed with essential fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them a powerhouse addition to any meal. Incorporating ancient grains into your diet doesn’t have to be daunting; with their diverse flavors and textures, they offer a simple and delicious path to enhanced nutrition. Hodgson Mill’s convenient side dishes, including their Ancient Grains Medley, are readily available online at www.hodgsonmill.com and on Amazon, making it easier than ever to enjoy these healthful and delicious accompaniments.

The Cooking Process: Simplified for Maximum Flavor
Crafting these delectable Instant Pot red wine rosemary short ribs is a straightforward process that maximizes flavor at every stage. It begins with generously seasoning the bone-in short ribs with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring every piece is coated in flavor from the start. A quick searing in the Instant Pot on the “sauté” setting creates a beautiful brown crust on the meat, locking in juices and developing rich fond at the bottom of the pot—a crucial step for building a flavorful gravy later on.
After browning the ribs in batches, the aromatic foundation of the dish is built by sautéing carrots and onions until they soften and turn translucent. Minced garlic, fresh rosemary, and thyme are then added, releasing their captivating fragrance and deepening the overall aroma of the dish. A touch of tomato paste enhances the savory notes, preparing the palate for the star liquid: dry red wine. This is where the magic truly begins; the wine is poured in, and any delicious browned bits at the bottom of the pot are scraped up, infusing the liquid with even more robust flavor.
Once the Instant Pot is switched off from sauté mode, the short ribs are returned to the pot, the lid is secured, and the pressure cooking begins. A mere 45 minutes on high pressure is all it takes to transform these short ribs into incredibly tender, succulent morsels. After a manual pressure release, the ribs are carefully removed, and the remaining liquid in the pot is skimmed of excess fat. This flavorful liquid is then thickened with a cornstarch slurry on the sauté setting, transforming it into a luxurious red wine gravy that perfectly complements the rich meat. The ribs are gently returned to the gravy to keep warm, ready to be served and savored.

Indulge in Ultimate Comfort
These Instant Pot red wine rosemary short ribs truly embody the essence of comfort food – rich, tender, and deeply satisfying. The ease of preparation, combined with the incredible depth of flavor, makes this recipe a must-try for anyone looking to create a memorable meal without the traditional time commitment. Whether you’re gathering with loved ones or simply treating yourself to a cozy night in, this dish promises to deliver warmth and deliciousness in every forkful. Serve it with your favorite sides, and prepare to impress with minimal effort.
More Cozy Recipes to Warm Your Winter
If you’re continually seeking hearty dishes to combat the cold, explore these other beloved comfort food recipes from my kitchen:
- Chipotle Ground Beef Enchiladas
- French Onion Salisbury Steak
- Cast Iron Chicken
- Short Rib Chili
- Grenadian Chicken Stew
- Homemade Mississippi Roast

Instant Pot Short Ribs with Red Wine
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars from 1 vote
These Instant Pot short ribs are the perfect use of your electric pressure cooker. They turn out perfectly tender and are packed with red wine and rosemary flavor. Serve over mashed potatoes, pasta, or grains.
By: Brandy O’Neill
Servings: 4 servings
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 35 mins
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 4 pounds bone-in short ribs
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 medium sized carrots, cleaned and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 cups dry red wine
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cold water
Instructions
- Season all sides of the short ribs generously with kosher salt and black pepper.
- Add olive oil to the Instant Pot and set it to the “sauté” setting.
- When the oil is hot, add the short ribs (in batches of 3 or 4) and brown them on all sides until nicely caramelized. This should take about 7-8 minutes per batch. Remove the browned ribs and set them aside.
- Add the carrots and onions to the pot. If needed, drizzle in a little extra olive oil to prevent sticking. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the carrots begin to soften and the onions are translucent.
- Stir in the minced garlic, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, and tomato paste. Cook for about 30 seconds, or just until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Pour in the dry red wine, then use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape the bottom of the pot, dislodging any browned bits (fond) from the searing process. This is crucial for flavor.
- Turn off the sauté setting.
- Return the short ribs to the pot. Secure the lid, ensuring the sealing valve is set to “seal.” Cook on manual high pressure (or “stew” setting if available) for 45 minutes.
- Once the cooking cycle is complete, manually release the pressure. Carefully remove the lid once it unlocks.
- Gently remove the short ribs from the pot and set them aside. Skim off any fat that has risen to the top of the liquid in the pot using a soup ladle. This step usually takes about 5 minutes.
- Turn the Instant Pot back on to the “sauté” mode.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Add this slurry to the liquid in the Instant Pot, stirring continuously as it cooks down and thickens into a rich gravy. Turn off the heat once the desired gravy consistency is achieved.
- Return the short ribs to the pot, nestling them into the gravy to keep them warm and coated with flavor.
- Serve immediately with mashed potatoes, pasta, or ancient grains, topping each serving with 1 or 2 short ribs and a generous spoonful of the savory red wine gravy and vegetables.
Nutrition Information (Approximate)
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 64g
Fat: 38g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
Monounsaturated Fat: 17g
Cholesterol: 195mg
Sodium: 291mg
Potassium: 1473mg
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 4g
Vitamin A: 10365IU
Vitamin C: 10mg
Calcium: 68mg
Iron: 8mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Course: Instant Pot
Cuisine: American