If you've ever wished you could pull off a deep, slow-braised short rib dinner on a Tuesday night, Ree Drummond — better known as The Pioneer Woman — has your answer. In this Food Network video, the award-winning cookbook author and blogger transforms a dish that traditionally demands an entire afternoon into something you can actually have on the table before the sun goes down, all thanks to her Instant Pot.
Why Short Ribs and the Instant Pot Are a Perfect Match
Short ribs are one of those cuts that rewards patience — their rich marbling and thick connective tissue beg for low, slow heat to break down into something silky and spoon-tender. The problem is that most of us don't have three or four hours on a weeknight. That's exactly where the Instant Pot earns its place on the counter. The pressurized environment reaches temperatures a conventional oven or stovetop braise simply can't, collapsing tough collagen into gelatin in a fraction of the time. Ree's version pairs the ribs with a Southern-inspired side of collard greens and rainbow bell peppers, turning the whole thing into a deeply satisfying one-pot-plus moment.
What Makes This Recipe Stand Out
- Flour dredge does double duty: Before browning, the short ribs get a quick toss in seasoned flour. This gives them beautiful color and crust during the sauté step, but the flour also dissolves into the braising liquid and naturally thickens the sauce — no extra cornstarch or reduction needed.
- Bacon builds the flavor base: The recipe starts by rendering thick-cut bacon in the Instant Pot's sauté mode. Those crispy bacon bits and the rendered grease become the foundation of the entire dish — some goes back into the braise, and the reserved drippings later season the collard greens, creating a thread of smoky depth that runs through every bite.
- Red wine deglazes and enriches: After browning the ribs and vegetables, a generous pour of red wine lifts all the caramelized bits off the bottom of the insert. This is the moment the sauce goes from good to extraordinary — concentrated, glossy, and complex.
- 40 minutes at high pressure is the magic number: The ribs cook sealed at high pressure for 40 minutes. What would normally take 3 to 4 hours in a Dutch oven becomes a quick pressure cycle that yields fall-off-the-bone tenderness with a rich, mahogany braising liquid.
- A splash of red wine vinegar at the finish: Once the ribs are out and the sauce is strained, Ree adds a small pour of red wine vinegar. It cuts through the richness and brightens every other flavor in the dish — a small step with an outsized impact.
Watch Ree Make It
There's something genuinely satisfying about watching Ree work through this recipe — her enthusiasm for the dish is infectious, and she explains every technique in plain language that makes even an intimidating cut of meat feel completely approachable. Check out the full video from Food Network below:
Watch on YouTube: Ree Drummond's Instant Pot Short Ribs with Collards and Peppers
A Tip from Our Kitchen: Make Every Component Count
While the Instant Pot handles the heavy lifting for the ribs, recipes like this are a great reminder of how much thoughtful cookware pays off in the finishing moments. Once your ribs are out and you're managing the collard greens on the stovetop, our Artisan Cookware Stackable Insert Pans are ideal for keeping sides warm and portions separate — you can nest them right inside the Instant Pot with residual heat while you plate. And if you're serving this as a dinner party centerpiece, our stainless steel casseroles transition beautifully from the stove directly to the table, so the sauce stays hot and your presentation stays polished.
Bring the Ranch Kitchen to Your Table
Ree Drummond built her following by showing home cooks that impressive, restaurant-quality flavors don't require a professional background — just good ingredients, smart technique, and the right tools. This Instant Pot short rib recipe is a perfect embodiment of that philosophy. Give it a try this week, and you might just find it becomes the centerpiece of your next dinner gathering.
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