Easy Short Rib Ragu (Slow Cooker + Instant Pot) – an easy, set-it-and-forget-it meal that is Whole30-friendly!!
Fire up those crock pots!!!
Easy Short Rib Ragu
Anyone else forget how good short ribs are?! Me!
I tried a short rib ragu at a restaurant a while back and immediately went home and starting testing recipes to try and recreate it – once I got it right I tested it in the slow cooker and the instant pot so you guys can decide how you want to cook it! (Slow cooker is my favorite, but either work!).
How I made it extra easy
So I kind of took a short cut 🙂 Instead of buying cans of tomatoes and spices ….. I just used a jar of homemade marinara sauce (and then I tested it with some store-bought as well).  Such an easy short cut!! And it tastes SO good!!!
Can I freeze this Beef Ragu?
Yes!! This would be perfect to make ahead and freeze!
How to make this Short Rib Ragu Whole30/Paleo
First just pay attention to the marinara sauce you use. Â There are so many compliant brands out there now – it will be easy to find one! Â Second, serve with zoodles or spaghetti squash!!
How long can I store this?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Other recipes you might like:
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Love,
E
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A simple and delicious meal that you can make in the slow cooker or Instant Pot! Whole30/Paleo friendly!
Ingredients
- salt and pepper
- 2 Tablespoons avocado oil, divided
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2–3 celery stalks, sliced
- 2–3 medium carrots, peeled, sliced and quartered (halved works too)
- 1 medium sweet yellow onion, diced
- 6–8 beef short ribs
- 25oz marinara sauce (homemade or store bought)
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- Place short ribs on a large plate and season with salt and pepper all over; set aside.
- Add 1 tablespoon oil to cast iron skillet and bring to medium high heat.
- Add garlic and stir, allowing it to cook 1 minute.
- Add celery, onion and carrot.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Stir and allow to cook 2-3 minutes.
- Pour vegetable mixture into crockpot.
- In the same skillet, add the other tablespoon of avocado oil and ensure skillet is on medium high heat.
- Sear short ribs on all sides.
- Transfer short ribs to crock pot and pour marinara sauce on top.
- Mix to coat the short ribs.
- Cover and let cook for 7-8 hours on low.
- Before serving, remove short ribs and shred meat, discarding bones. Place meat back into the crockpot and mix to combine.
- Serve with pasta, zoodles or spaghetti squash.
Instant Pot
- Place short ribs on a large plate and season with salt and pepper all over; set aside.
- Add 1 tablespoon oil to cast iron skillet and bring to medium high heat.
- Add garlic and stir, allowing it to cook 1 minute.
- Add celery, onion and carrot.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Stir and allow to cook 2-3 minutes.
- Pour vegetable mixture into Instant Pot.
- In the same skillet, add the other tablespoon of avocado oil and ensure skillet is on medium high heat.
- Sear short ribs on all sides.
- Transfer short ribs to Instant Pot (no need for the trivet) and pour marinara sauce on top.
- Mix to coat the short ribs.
- Cover and ensure Instant Pot is set to Seal. Cook on High Pressure for 1 hour (60 minutes).
- Allow to naturally release for 10-20 minutes. Â Then (carefully) manually release per manufacturers instructions.
- Remove short ribs and shred meat, discarding bones. Place meat back into the Instant Pot and mix to combine.
- Serve with pasta, zoodles or spaghetti squash.
Notes
- For the marinara sauce, I tested it with both my own homemade marinara and some Whole30 compliant store-bought sauce from Primal Kitchen.
- For the Instant Pot, you can saute the vegetables in the Instant Pot, but I would recommend still searing the Short Ribs in the cast iron.
- For Whole30/Paleo just make sure you are checking your marinara ingredients (for store-bought I used Primal Kitchen) and serve with zoodles or spaghetti squash.
- Note: cooking time will vary greatly between slow cooker and instant pot – I just used the slow cooker cooking time on the recipe card.
- For spaghetti squash here is how to roast it in the oven and here is how to cook it in the Instant Pot!
Keywords: short rib rage, slow cooker ragu
Adding to the to-do list for this weekend!!
Yay!!! You won’t regret it! 🙂