Instant Pot Ribs

Why you’ll love Instant Pot ribs

Once you learn how to create flavorful, fall-off-the-bone ribs in the Instant Pot you’ll never go back to baked versions again! This easy recipe is seriously a game-changer when it comes to preparing everyone’s favorite food. 

• Quick – Cooking the ribs in the Instant Pot cuts down the time by a few hours without sacrificing any of the juicy texture or bold taste you love!  
• Flavorful – Thanks to the bold dry rub and sweet and tangy sauce, every bite leaves you coming back for more. 
• Restaurant-Quality – Charred and caramelized on the outside, juicy in the center, and packed with sweet, savory goodness, these ribs are so tasty your guests will think you ordered from a local restaurant! 

Serve your Instant Pot ribs with mashed potatoes for a family-friendly dinner that’s even better-than-takeout. And store extras for meal prep you’ll look forward to eating! 

Key Ingredient Notes

• Ribs – I prefer to use baby back ribs for this recipe, but St. Louis-style ribs will also work. The two may look the same, but baby back ribs are shorter and less meaty. On the other hand, St. Louis-style spare ribs are flatter and have less meat on them.
• Dry rub – You can use any pre-made or homemade spice rub you like best. However, I love to combine brown sugar, garlic powder, dried parsley, smoked paprika, kosher salt, cumin, cocoa powder (Trust me!), cayenne pepper, ground mustard, and black pepper. 
• Water – This is crucial to create steam and cook the meat. If you want an even stronger flavor, you can substitute apple cider, apple juice, or even beer or Dr. Pepper. Experiment to find what you like best! 
• Apple cider vinegar – The acidity helps tenderize the meat.
• Liquid smoke – This is optional but highly recommended for a bold, smokey flavor replicating the taste of grilled ribs! 
• BBQ sauce – Use your favorite brand! I love my homemade BBQ sauce, but everything from original to chipotle barbecue tastes delicious on these ribs. You really can’t go wrong.

How to cook baby back ribs in an Instant Pot

If you’re new to Instant Pot cooking, be sure to take a look at my Instant Pot guide before you begin! 

1. Prepare the dry rub

• Combine all the dry rub ingredients in a medium bowl. 

2. Prepare the ribs

• Remove the thin skin or membrane from the back of the ribs.

You’ll notice a thin, almost silver layer on the back of the ribs. This is called the membrane. It’s a very chewy, tough piece of skin that’s unappetizing after it cooks. 

Therefore, it’s important that we remove it before we begin! Here’s an easy way to remove the membrane: 

1. Use a sharp paring knife to separate the skin from the meat on one end, sliding it between the layers. 
2. Slice or use your hands to pull the membrane to the other end, removing it from the ribs. 
3. That’s it! You’re done. 

• Rub the ribs generously with the prepared rub, coating both sides. 

3. Pressure cook the ribs

• Place a rack in your Instant Pot, and pour in the water, apple cider vinegar, and liquid smoke. 
• Place the ribs in the pot, curling them around the sides. Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and set the pot to manual cook for 25 minutes. It will take some time to come to pressure! 
• Once the timer goes off, let the Instant Pot stand for 10 minutes to naturally release the pressure. Then, turn the valve to vent to quick release the remaining pressure, and open the lid carefully. 

4. Apply BBQ Sauce and grill/broil

• Use a set of kitchen tongs to carefully transfer the meat to a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. 
• Generously brush BBQ sauce on both sides of the cooked ribs. 
• Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, and lightly oil the grates using a paper towel soaked in oil. 
• Grill the ribs for about 10 minutes or until they’re nice and crispy, turning them over halfway through. Just keep a close eye on them, because the sugar in the sauce can cause them to burn quickly! 

What to serve with  Instant Pot ribs

I love to serve my ribs with a side of mashed potatoes, baked beans, and cornbread for a steakhouse feel.

However, there’s not much they don’t pair well with!

Add any carb source you like best such as rice, macaroni and cheese, or baked potatoes. Then, include a veggie side such as air fryer Brussels sprouts, oven roasted mixed vegetables, or grilled mixed vegetables for a well-rounded meal.  

Make-Ahead Tips

Make dinnertime life a little easier by partially cooking the ribs a day in advance: 

• Cook the ribs in the Instant Pot, and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. 
• When you’re ready to cook, bring the ribs to room temperature on the counter. This usually takes about an hour! 
• Brush on the BBQ sauce, and finish your ribs on the grill or in the oven.  

FAQs: 

More Instant Pot Recipes: 

• Instant Pot Beef Ribs
• Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
• Instant Pot Pulled Pork
• Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Apple Sauce