Description
Tender and flavorful beef short ribs cooked in an Instant Pot and smothered with a tangy Carolina mustard BBQ sauce. This Southern-inspired dish combines rich, slow-cooked beef with a bright, slightly spicy mustard sauce, perfect for an easy yet impressive main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Short Ribs
- 3–4 pounds beef short ribs (bone-in or boneless)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup beef broth
Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce
- ½ cup yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the short ribs: In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Rub the spice mix evenly over the short ribs to coat all sides thoroughly for infused flavor.
- Brown the ribs: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add olive oil and heat until shimmering. Brown the short ribs in batches, cooking for 2–3 minutes per side until they develop a deep sear. Remove browned ribs and set aside.
- Deglaze and pressure cook: Pour beef broth into the pot and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom with a wooden spoon to enhance flavor. Return the short ribs to the pot. Seal the lid and set the Instant Pot to Manual High Pressure for 45 minutes.
- Pressure release: Allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes, then perform a quick release to let out any remaining pressure. Carefully remove the ribs from the pot.
- Make the mustard BBQ sauce: While ribs cook, whisk together yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, optional hot sauce, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper in a saucepan. Simmer over low heat for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly thickened.
- Finish and serve: Brush the cooked ribs generously with the Carolina mustard BBQ sauce. For an optional caramelized finish, broil the ribs for 2–3 minutes. Serve with extra sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- The tangy mustard sauce pairs beautifully with the richness of beef short ribs.
- Make the sauce ahead and refrigerate for up to a week for convenience.
- Serve alongside classic Southern sides like coleslaw, cornbread, or baked beans for a complete meal.
