Beef Soup Bone Instant Pot Recipe

Beef soup bone in the Instant Pot? Now that’s a game-changer for anyone who loves rich, flavorful broths and tender meat without having to spend hours slaving over a stove. If you’ve never tried making beef bone soup, you’re in for a treat. The Instant Pot makes it so easy to extract all the nutrients and flavor from the bones, giving you a deliciously hearty broth in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods.

This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something comforting and nourishing, but you don’t want to deal with a long cooking time. Whether you’re trying to get a nutrient-packed meal, you want to enjoy a traditional soup, or you just love the taste of slow-cooked beef, this Instant Pot beef soup bone recipe checks all the boxes. Let’s dive in and take a look at how you can whip up this savory soup in a matter of an hour or so.

Beef Soup Bone Instant Pot Recipe

Making beef soup bone in the Instant Pot is incredibly simple, thanks to the power of pressure cooking. The bones, along with all the veggies and seasonings, meld together to create a rich, deep broth that will have you coming back for seconds. Plus, using an Instant Pot means you don’t have to wait hours for the bones to release all their goodness. It’s practically set-and-forget cooking.

Here’s how to make the best beef soup bone in your Instant Pot:

Ingredients Needed

• Beef Soup Bones (2-3 pounds) – The star of the dish! Bone-in beef cuts like marrow bones, oxtails, or short ribs work best.
• Onion (1 large) – Adds depth and sweetness to the broth.
• Garlic (5 cloves) – A must for flavoring the soup. You can smash or mince it, depending on your preference.
• Carrots (2 medium) – Adds sweetness and a slight earthiness to balance the richness of the beef.
• Celery (2 stalks) – Gives the broth a fresh, vegetal flavor.
• Bay Leaves (2) – For that signature herbal aroma.
• Fresh Thyme (3-4 sprigs) – Adds a subtle, fragrant note.
• Whole Peppercorns (1 teaspoon) – For a gentle heat and depth of flavor.
• Salt (1-2 teaspoons) – Season according to your taste.
• Water (8 cups) – The base for your broth. You can also use beef broth for extra flavor.
• Optional Vegetables: Potatoes, parsnips, or leeks-anything you like to add extra body or flavor.

Cooking Instructions

1. Prep The Ingredients

   • Start by chopping the onion, carrots, and celery into large chunks. You don’t have to make them pretty since you’ll be straining the soup later.
   • Smash or mince the garlic cloves, depending on how strong you want the garlic flavor to be.

2. Sauté The Aromatics

   • Set your Instant Pot to the Sauté function and heat a splash of oil (olive or avocado oil works well).
   • Add the chopped onion and garlic to the pot and sauté until they’re softened and fragrant (about 2-3 minutes).
   • This step adds a nice caramelized flavor to your soup, so don’t rush it.

3. Add The Beef Soup Bones

   • Add the beef bones into the Instant Pot, letting them brown lightly for a couple of minutes on each side. This helps to develop a deeper flavor in your broth.

4. Add The Vegetables And Seasonings

   • Toss in the carrots, celery, thyme, bay leaves, peppercorns, and any optional vegetables you’re using.

5. Pour In The Water Or Broth

   • Add 8 cups of water (or a mix of water and beef broth for more richness). Ensure the bones and vegetables are mostly submerged in liquid. If they’re not, you can top it up with a little more water.

6. Pressure Cook

   • Secure the lid and set your Instant Pot to Pressure Cook (high) for 45 minutes. The beef bones will break down, releasing all their goodness into the broth.

7. Natural Release

   • Once the cooking time is done, let the Instant Pot release pressure naturally for about 15 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure.

8. Strain And Serve

   • Once the soup is done cooking, remove the bones and vegetables. You can strain the broth to remove any bits, or you can leave it as-is, depending on your texture preference.
   • Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.

9. Serve

   • Serve the rich broth in bowls, and feel free to add any additional cooked noodles, fresh herbs, or a drizzle of olive oil for extra flavor.

Ingredient Insights

• Beef Soup Bones: The magic of this recipe comes from the marrow and collagen in the bones, which break down during the pressure cooking process to create a rich, nutrient-dense broth. Oxtail is a popular choice due to its tender meat and rich flavor, but marrow bones and short ribs also work wonderfully.
• Carrots & Celery: These classic soup vegetables add a natural sweetness and balance the umami richness of the beef. Carrots also provide vitamin A, which is great for skin and vision, while celery is packed with antioxidants.
• Thyme and Bay Leaves: These herbs are not just aromatic-they actually help round out the deep, savory flavor of the soup. Bay leaves add a slightly floral, earthy flavor, while thyme contributes its signature woodsy note.
• Peppercorns & Garlic: These flavor-packed additions help elevate the overall taste of the soup without overpowering the natural flavors. Garlic, in particular, provides an aromatic backbone.

Expert Tips

• Browning the Bones: Don’t skip the browning step! Searing the bones and aromatics in the Instant Pot creates a Maillard reaction, which results in a much richer, deeper flavor for your broth.
• Don’t Skimp on the Bone-to-Water Ratio: Make sure you have enough bones to extract the flavor properly. If you’re looking for a particularly rich broth, you can even add a little vinegar to help break down the bones and release more minerals.
• Use the “Natural Release” Function: Letting the pressure release naturally gives your broth time to settle and ensures that the flavors meld perfectly. It’s the small steps like this that really elevate a dish.

Recipe Variations

• Vegetarian Version: For a vegetarian take on this, you can swap the beef bones for mushrooms or a variety of root vegetables like turnips and parsnips, and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. You’ll still get a savory, hearty soup.
• Spicy Beef Soup: If you love a little heat, try adding a couple of dried chilies or a teaspoon of chili flakes when you add the seasoning. This gives the soup a warm, spicy kick.
• Beef and Barley Soup: To add more body and texture, you can throw in some barley (or rice) after pressure cooking, then cook it until tender. It makes the soup more filling and turns it into a full meal.

Final Words

This Instant Pot beef soup bone recipe isn’t just about the end result-it’s about creating a rich, soul-soothing broth that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. The pressure cooker does all the heavy lifting, giving you the luxury of tender beef, deeply flavored broth, and perfectly cooked vegetables in a fraction of the time it would take on the stovetop. It’s a versatile dish that’s as customizable as you want, and one that you can make your own.