Make tender, fall-off-the-bone BBQ Baby Back Ribs in the Instant Pot! This easy recipe delivers perfectly seasoned ribs coated in a smoky barbecue sauce, ready in a fraction of the time. Perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner or a backyard BBQ feast!
If you love ribs, you will love this recipe. Made in about 1/2 of the time of using the grill, Blackstone or oven. This will give you the best recipe, these Baby Back Ribs are so good!
If you love my recipe for easy Instant Pot BBQ Ribs, try my recipe for Instant Pot BBQ Shredded Chicken, Copycat Instant Pot Panera Bread Chicken Noodle Soup, or Instant Pot Rocky Road Fudge.
Why You’ll Love Making BBQ Ribs Instant Pot
- Quick and Easy: The Instant Pot drastically reduces cooking time, allowing you to enjoy tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs in under an hour.
- Consistently Tender: The pressure cooking ensures perfectly cooked ribs every time.
- Minimal Effort: With just a few simple ingredients and steps.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a backyard cookout, these BBQ ribs are a crowd-pleaser that’s ready in a fraction of the time.
- Customizable Flavor: You can easily switch up the seasoning, sauce, or finishing method to create your own signature style of ribs.
- Juicy & Flavorful: Cooking the ribs in the Instant Pot allows them to absorb all the delicious flavors from the spices and barbecue sauce, making each bite juicy and flavorful.
Ingredients Needed
- Baby Back Pork Ribs: You can use baby back ribs or another type of pork ribs, including country ribs, short ribs, bone ribs, or even spare ribs.
- Brown Sugar: This helps tenderize the meat and makes it tender.
- Seasonings: Salt, Garlic Powder, Paprika, Liquid Smoke, Chili Powder, and Black Pepper
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Tenderizes the meat (you can also use apple juice)
- Water: Needed to bring the Instant Pot to Pressure.
How To Make Instant Pot BBQ Ribs
This is just an overview; the full recipe and directions are below:
Step One: Use a paper towel and peel the membrane off the back of the ribs, also known as the connective tissue. Mix all of your dry ingredients in a small bowl to make your rub. Massage the dry ingredients to the top layer of your ribs
Step Two: Pour water and apple cider mixture into the bottom of the instant pot. Place the trivet inside. Place your ribs on the top of the trivet. Close the lid on your instant pot and close the sealing valve. So your instant pot to high pressure, and the cook time for 20 minutes.
Step Three: Once your instant pot is done cooking, allow it to release for 15 minutes naturally. After 15 minutes, manually released by opening the pressure release and releasing the remaining pressure by a quick release.
Step Four: Remove your ribs to a baking sheet or wire rack. Add your desired amount of barbecue sauce to the top of the ribs over the rub. Broil in the oven for about five minutes or until your barbecue sauce is bubbly.
Step Five: Allow the ribs to cool for a couple more minutes, cut them into sections, and enjoy! You can top it with your favorite barbecue sauce if you like.
Instant Pot BBQ Ribs Recipe Tips
- Remove the Membrane: Before seasoning your ribs, remove the membrane from the back of the rack.
- Season Generously: Don’t skimp on the seasoning. Ribs benefit from a generous amount of dry rub or marinade.
- Let Them Rest: After applying the seasoning, let the ribs sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Use the Instant Pot Rack: Place the Instant Pot rack or a trivet inside the pot before adding the ribs.
- Add Liquid for Steam: To ensure enough steam to pressure cook the ribs, add a cup of liquid to the Instant Pot. Water, broth, apple juice, or beer can be used for added flavor.
- Use the Pressure Cook Setting: Cook the ribs on the pressure cook setting for around 25-30 minutes.
- Natural Release vs. Quick Release: Consider using the natural release method for a few minutes to let the pressure subside gradually.
- Finish on the Grill or Under Broiler: While the Instant Pot will cook the ribs thoroughly, they may lack that grilled or charred finish. Finish the ribs on a hot grill or under the broiler for a few minutes on each side, basting with BBQ sauce for that authentic BBQ taste and texture. Add them to the oven at 450 F oven for a cooking time of 5-8 minutes.
- Baste with Sauce: After removing the ribs from the Instant Pot, generously brush them with your extra barbecue sauce.
- Rest Before Cutting: Allow the ribs to rest for a few minutes after grilling or broiling.
Instant Pot BBQ Ribs Recipe Faqs
Can I use frozen ribs in the Instant Pot? Yes, you can cook frozen ribs in the Instant Pot. Simply increase the cooking time by about 10-15 minutes, but ensure the ribs are properly seasoned before freezing or add seasoning after defrosting in the pot.
Do I need to add liquid to the Instant Pot? Yes, always add liquid to the Instant Pot to create steam. Typically, 1 cup of water, apple juice, or apple cider vinegar works great for ribs.
Can I use any BBQ sauce for this recipe? Yes! Use your favorite BBQ sauce—whether it’s homemade or store-bought. You can experiment with different flavors like smoky, spicy, or sweet.
How do I get a crispy BBQ glaze on the ribs? After cooking the ribs in the Instant Pot, brush them with BBQ sauce and place them under the broiler for 3-5 minutes to caramelize and crisp the sauce.
Can I finish the ribs on the grill instead of broiling? Absolutely! After pressure cooking, you can grill the ribs for a few minutes to get that smoky, charred finish.
Do I need to remove the membrane from the ribs? Yes, for more tender ribs, it’s recommended to remove the silver membrane from the back of the ribs before cooking.
How do I store leftover ribs? Store any leftover ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can reheat them in the oven or air fryer to maintain their texture.
Can I cook other types of ribs in the Instant Pot? Yes, you can use this method for baby back ribs, spare ribs, or St. Louis-style ribs. Just adjust the cooking time slightly based on the size and cut of the ribs.
What should I serve with Instant Pot BBQ ribs? These ribs pair well with classic BBQ sides like coleslaw, cornbread, mac and cheese, baked beans, or a fresh salad.
More Easy Instant Pot Recipes
- INSTANT POT POTATO SALAD
- AIR FRYER ROSEMARY ROASTED POTATOES
- LOADED NINJA FOODI POTATOES
- AIR FRYER MEXICAN STREET CORN ON THE COB
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Instant Pot BBQ Ribs
Description
Ingredients
Ribs:
- 2 pounds baby back ribs or spare ribs
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, homemade or store-bought
Dry rub:
- 1/8 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons ginger
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Peel the membrane off the back of the ribs. In a small bowl, mix all of your dry rub ingredients. Massage the dry ingredients to the top layer of your ribs.
- Pour your apple cider vinegar, water, and liquid smoke, to the bottom of your instant pot. Place the trigger inside. Place your ribs inside the Instant Pot.
- Close the lid on your instant pot and close the sealing valve. So your instant pot to high pressure for 20 minutes.
- Once your instant pot is done cooking, allow it to release for 15 minutes naturally. After the 15 minutes, manually released by opening the sealing valve and releasing the pressure.
- Remove your ribs to a cookie sheet. Add your desired amount of barbecue sauce to the top of the ribs over the rub.
- Broil in the oven for about five minutes or until your barbecue sauce is bubbly.
- Allow the ribs to cool for a couple more minutes, cut into sections, and enjoy! You can top it with more barbecue sauce if you like.
- Plate, serve, and enjoY!
Equipment
- Instant Pot,
- Tongs
Nutrition
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