This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy
Instant Pot Ribs – super tender, flavorful and delicious baby back ribs in the Instant Pot! Fool-proof method that are ready in just minutes.
When the weather is warm there is nothing I like more than to throw a rack of ribs on the smoker and making Smoked Baby Back Ribs. But I live in Colorado, so it isn’t something I am doing much of in the middle of December.
But I still want those fall off the bone, tender ribs all year round! Enter the Instant Pot to make pressure cooker ribs in minutes, that are super tender, full of flavor and oh so tasty!
What Kind Of Ribs To Use
My favorite to use are baby back ribs, and you can find them at most grocery stores these days. They are a little more tender and leaner than their counter part the spare rib. They are a little pricier than spare ribs as well, but so worth it in my opinion.
Spare ribs can be a little meatier, but they take a little longer to get them as tender. There are directions for both in the recipe below, so use whatever your favorite is!
And if you are a fan of country style ribs you are going to want to make these Instant Pot Country Style Ribs immediately!
How To Make Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
- The first thing I like to do to prep the ribs is to remove the membrane. Place the ribs so the bones are facing up. Slip a dinner knife under the edge of the membrane that is over the bone. Grab it with a paper towel and gently pull it back. Sometimes you get lucky and it comes off cleanly with one pull, other times you have to insert the knife over a few bones to get it completely removed.
- A rub really gives the meat flavor, so don’t skip this step. Mix together the rub and generously season the meat.
- Pour water, apple cider vinegar, and liquid smoke in the base of the Instant Pot, then place the trivet in the bottom. This way the ribs don’t sit in the liquid, but they will get nice and tender from the steam that is created.
- Arrange the ribs in the Instant Pot so they are standing up and wrapped around the side. If necessary, you can cut your slabs of ribs in half to fit them in.
- Let the ribs cook under high pressure for 23 to 30 minutes depending on the type of ribs you are using.
- While the ribs are cooking you can make your barbecue sauce. If you have a variety you like, you can definitely use that. This recipe is just a versatile easy sauce to throw together
- Once they have cooked, naturally release the Instant Pot for 10 minutes. Remove the ribs from the pot and place on a lined baking sheet.
- Brush the ribs with barbecue sauce and place under the broiler for 3-4 minutes, until the sauce is caramelized.
- Slice the ribs and serve!
How Long To Cook Ribs In the Instant Pot
If you are making baby back ribs they cook under high pressure for 23 minutes. If you are making spare ribs they cook for 30 minutes.
You may need to add a couple minutes to your cook time if your ribs are extra meaty, these cook times are for your average rack of ribs that weighs about 2 pounds total.
How Many Ribs Can Fit In Instant Pot
I find that I can fit 2 full racks of ribs comfortably in my Instant Pot. But if you cut the slabs into smaller pieces, you can fit up to 3 full racks in there.
Serving Instant Pot Ribs
To get that nice caramelization of the barbecue sauce on the ribs, putting them under the broiler for a couple minutes really gives it that great texture and flavor you know and love. This step is optional, but it does make them even better.
While the ribs are cooking you can whip up some delicious sides that go with pork ribs.
More Instant Pot Recipe Ideas
- Instant Pot Bolognese
- Instant Pot Chicken Wings
- Instant Pot Jambalaya
- Instant Pot Beef Stew
- Instant Pot Cheesecake
Instant Pot Ribs
Ingredients
Ribs
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 rack pork ribs, spare or baby back, membrane removed
- 1 cup water plus
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
Barbecue Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 3 Tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon molasses
- 1 Tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1/2 Tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper.
- Rub the seasoning mix generously all over the pork ribs.
- Pour the 1 cup of water ½ cup apple cider vinegar and liquid smoke into the instant pot and put in the trivet.
- Place the ribs upright on the trivet, wrapping the rib rack around the inside of the instant pot, meat side facing out.
- Close the instant pot and set the valve to seal position.
- Pressure cook on high pressure for 30 minutes for spare ribs or 23 minutes for baby back (if the rib rack is very meaty, add 3 minutes to the cook time)
- When done, naturally release the pressure for 10 minutes, then quickly release the rest of the pressure.
- Open the instant pot, remove the ribs and set onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper/aluminum foil
- Brush the ribs generously with barbecue sauce.
- Broil the ribs in the oven for 3-4 minutes until sauce caramelizes.
- Serve immediately
To Make Barbecue Sauce
- Saute onion and garlic in oil over medium heat for about 10 minutes, until they are very soft and translucent.
- Add remaining ingredients and simmer for about 20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I created a fun group on Facebook,and I would love for you to join us! It’s a place where you can
share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, and see what’s new at Dinners, Dishes and Desserts (so that you never miss a new recipe)!
Be sure to follow me on Instagram and
tag #dinnersdishes so I can see all the wonderful DINNERS, DISHES, AND DESSERTS
recipes YOU make!
Be sure to follow me on my social media, so you
never miss a post!
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Did you know there is a Dinners,
Dishes, and Desserts SHOP? Lots of different E-Books for sale. Or you can buy me a
coffee to say thanks!
.
Oh wow, these look luscious and I’ll bet they’re so tender made in the IP – great idea, thanks!
I love how easy this is to make in the instant pot without sacrificing any of the flavor. The broil at the end gets it perfectly crispy.
These ribs look incredible! Can’t wait to try this recipe out!
These look so delicious and mouthwatering! I can’t wait to give this recipe a try! My family is going to love this! SO excited!
Ribs in the instant pot are such a genius idea! I can’t believe how tender they come out. I will definitely be pulling the instant pot out to make these soon.
These are the perfect ribs! So good in the instant pot!
This meal quickly became a favorite at my house! It is so good!
Good evening,
I don’t have an instant pot, but have a crock pot instead. Can I do this recipe in it and if so, cooking time remains the same?
Thanks and may you and your family have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
The cooking time will be drastically different with a crock pot. An Instant Pot cooks under pressure so things are done very fast. A crock pot cooks at a low temperature so it takes much longer. If you do ribs in the crock pot, to get them tender and fall off the bone it will take about 8 hours on low.