If you’re craving tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef short ribs with a tangy kick, this Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs Recipe is your new go-to. Combining the deep, rich flavors of slow-cooked ribs with the bright, mustard-forward punch of a classic Carolina BBQ sauce, this dish elevates your Instant Pot game to legendary status. The magic lies in the balance of tangy, sweet, and smoky notes that soak perfectly into the meat, delivering a soul-satisfying experience with every bite. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become one of your favorite ways to enjoy beef ribs any night of the week.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, straightforward, and incredibly flavorful, the ingredients for this recipe work together like a dream team. Each one plays a vital role in bringing the right balance of taste, texture, and color to your ribs, ensuring a perfect meal every time.
- 3–4 pounds bone-in beef short ribs: The star of the dish, these ribs become silky tender in the Instant Pot.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Helps create a beautiful, caramelized crust on your ribs during searing.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Essential for seasoning and enhancing the natural beef flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth of flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: Infuses the meat with warm, aromatic notes.
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika: Brings essential smokiness that complements the mustard sauce.
- 3/4 cup yellow mustard: The vibrant base of the Carolina mustard BBQ sauce, tangy and sharp.
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar: Adds acidity that brightens and balances the sauce beautifully.
- 1/4 cup honey or brown sugar: Sweetens the sauce naturally and helps create a luscious glaze.
- 2 tablespoons ketchup: Provides depth and a hint of tomato richness.
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce: Adds a savory umami kick for complexity.
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional): Introduces just a touch of heat, customizable to your spice preference.
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder: Delivers a gentle background savoriness to the sauce.
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (for sauce): Keeps the seasoning consistent and flavorful throughout.
How to Make Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs Recipe
Step 1: Season and Sear the Ribs
Start by generously seasoning the beef short ribs with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Heating the olive oil in your Instant Pot’s sauté mode is crucial for browning the ribs in batches, about 2–3 minutes per side. This step locks in flavor through caramelization, creating a rich crust that makes each bite unforgettable. Once browned, remove the ribs and set them aside.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce
While the ribs rest, mix your sauce ingredients: yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey or brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce (if using), garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Whisk everything until smooth and well combined. This tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce will infuse into the ribs during pressure cooking, so make sure it’s perfectly blended.
Step 3: Pressure Cook the Ribs in Sauce
Return the browned ribs to the Instant Pot and pour the Carolina mustard BBQ sauce over them, making sure every piece is coated. Lock the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 45 minutes. After cooking, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes to keep the ribs tender, then finish with a quick release for any remaining steam.
Step 4: Thicken the Sauce and Finish
Remove the ribs from the pot and set aside gently (they’ll be fall-off-the-bone tender). Switch your Instant Pot back to sauté mode and simmer the remaining sauce for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens to a sticky, luscious consistency that’s perfect for spooning over the ribs.
How to Serve Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs Recipe
Garnishes
Add a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or green onions to brighten up the deep colors and flavors of the ribs. A few pickled jalapeño slices on top can also add a nice zesty punch that contrasts delightfully with the rich sauce.
Side Dishes
This recipe shines next to creamy mashed potatoes, cool crunchy coleslaw, or warm, buttery cornbread. These classic Southern sides will help soak up every drop of that amazing mustard BBQ sauce, making your meal hearty and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For a modern twist, serve your ribs on a bed of creamy polenta or buttered noodles, drizzled extra generous with the sauce. Alternatively, pile the shredded meat on slider buns for irresistible Carolina-style beef sandwiches—perfect for parties and casual dinners.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover ribs and sauce can be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping them separated helps maintain the texture, and the flavors deepen beautifully after resting overnight.
Freezing
If you want to save them longer, freeze the ribs and sauce together or separately for up to 2 months. Use heavy-duty freezer bags or freezer-safe containers to protect the flavor and prevent freezer burn.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat to preserve the tenderness of the ribs and avoid drying out the sauce. You can also warm them in a covered dish in the oven at 325°F until heated through, or use your Instant Pot’s sauté function to revive that fresh-from-the-pot feel.
FAQs
Can I use boneless short ribs for this recipe?
Yes, boneless short ribs can work well, but bone-in ribs tend to retain more moisture and flavor during pressure cooking, giving you that richer texture and taste.
Is the hot sauce necessary in the Carolina mustard BBQ sauce?
The hot sauce is optional and can be adjusted or omitted depending on your spice preference. It adds a subtle heat that complements the tangy mustard flavor without overpowering the dish.
Can I make the Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs Recipe in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! After searing the ribs, transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for about 8 hours. This method delivers tender, flavorful ribs but takes longer than the Instant Pot.
What’s the best way to thicken the BBQ sauce after cooking?
Simmering the sauce on sauté mode in the Instant Pot until it reduces and thickens works beautifully. If you want it thicker faster, you can also stir in a slurry of cornstarch and water as it simmers.
Can this recipe be adapted for other meats?
This sauce and cooking method suit pork ribs or chicken thighs wonderfully, adapting cook times accordingly for best tenderness and flavor infusion.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about this Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs Recipe that feels both comforting and exciting. It takes simple ingredients and turns them into a dish bursting with rich, tangy, and smoky layers of flavor that will wow your family and friends. Whether it’s a weeknight treat or a weekend feast, give it a try—you’ll soon be reaching for it again and again!
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Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour (includes pressure building and release)
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Southern, American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Tender and flavorful beef short ribs cooked in an Instant Pot with a tangy Carolina mustard BBQ sauce, perfect for a quick Southern-inspired main course.
Ingredients
Beef Short Ribs
- 3–4 pounds bone-in beef short ribs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce
- 3/4 cup yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey or brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Season the Ribs: Season the beef short ribs evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika to enhance their natural flavor.
- Brown the Ribs: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat olive oil. Brown the short ribs in batches, cooking about 2–3 minutes per side until nicely seared. Remove and set ribs aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey or brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce (if using), garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until smooth.
- Cook Under Pressure: Return the browned ribs to the Instant Pot and pour the prepared Carolina mustard BBQ sauce over them. Lock the lid in place, ensure the valve is set to sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 45 minutes.
- Release Pressure: Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 15 minutes, then perform a quick release to remove any remaining pressure safely.
- Thicken the Sauce: Remove the ribs and set aside. Switch the Instant Pot to sauté mode again and simmer the sauce for 5–10 minutes to thicken it, if desired.
- Serve: Serve the tender short ribs with the thickened Carolina mustard BBQ sauce spooned generously over the top. Enjoy with sides such as mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or cornbread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Great served with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or cornbread.
- For extra smoky flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke to the sauce.
- These ribs can also be browned in a skillet and finished in a slow cooker on low for 8 hours.
