Here’s a quick and delicious way to whip up some Instant Pot Short Rib Ragu! This dish is perfect over gnocchi, pasta, polenta, rice, or potatoes and can be ready in just about an hour.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs of bone-in short ribs (or 1 lb if boneless)
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 1/4 cup of dry red wine
- One 25-oz jar of your favorite marinara or spaghetti sauce (I like using a tomato basil sauce)
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper
- Additional salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lb of pasta or gnocchi
Instructions:
- Start by setting your Instant Pot to the sauté mode. While it’s heating, trim any excess fat off the short ribs and pat them dry. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Add the oil to the pot. Once hot, sear the short ribs on all sides until they’re nicely browned. Remember, they don’t need to be cooked through at this stage. Just aim for a good sear. Remove the ribs and set them aside.
- Next, toss in the diced onion and chopped garlic into the pot. Sauté them until they’re soft, about 3 minutes. Make sure to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot as these add a ton of flavor. Pour in the wine to deglaze the pot and let it cook for another 2 minutes.
- It’s time to add the short ribs back into the pot along with the marinara sauce, salt, and crushed red pepper. Use the 1/2 cup of water to rinse out the sauce jar and pour it into the pot. Switch the Instant Pot to the stew/meat setting and set the timer for 35 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is up, allow the pot to release steam naturally. Then, remove the ribs and shred the meat into bite-sized pieces, discarding any bones and large pieces of fat.
- Set the Instant Pot back to sauté mode to reduce and thicken the sauce. Skim off any fat that rises to the top. Return the shredded meat to the pot and stir. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the ragu over your choice of cooked pasta or gnocchi and enjoy!
Additional Tips:
- If you prefer using a slow cooker, follow the first three steps using a stove, then transfer everything to the slow cooker and set it on low for 8 hours.
- For a stovetop version, use a Dutch oven and follow similar steps but simmer everything covered on low heat for about 2 hours after adding the liquids.
This recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy a hearty and flavorful meal with minimal fuss, perfect for a cozy dinner at home!
