Seasoned with a sweet and savory homemade dry rub and then pressure cooked to tender perfection, Instant Pot Ribs are unbelievably delicious and incredibly easy to make.
Instant Pot Ribs Let You Enjoy Tender Ribs Without a Smoker
While it may seem impossible, you can make tender, delicious ribs without the need for a smoker using the Instant Pot.
Just like in my recipes for Instant Pot Pulled Pork, Instant Pot Brisket, and Instant Pot Pot Roast, the instant pot works its magic in this Instant Pot ribs recipe to to tenderize the meat and make delicious, fall-apart ribs in record time!
Notes on Ingredients
- Ribs: This recipe for Instant Pot Ribs works using either baby back ribs or spare ribs. For short ribs, refer to my recipe for Instant Pot Short Ribs
- Seasoning Rub: The homemade dry rub is made up of brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. It is smokey, sweet, and savory all at once and adds incredible flavor to the pork.
- Cooking Liquid: I recommend using apple juice as the cooking liquid, which gives the ribs flavor as they are pressure cooked. In place of the apple juice, feel free to use water, beer, or broth in place of apple juice, but the results will not be the same.
- Liquid Smoke: While optional, the liquid smoke will add a hint of smokiness to your ribs, replicating the effect of smoking on a smoker or grilling. It is a rather processed ingredient, so feel free to omit it. The ribs will be delicious with or without it.
- BBQ Sauce: Finish the ribs with your favorite store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce.
How To Make Instant Pot Ribs
While this is an incredibly simple recipe, if you are unfamiliar with cooking in an Instant Pot or the functions of your Instant Pot, be sure to start with How to Use an Instant Pot for the best results on this and future recipes. You will find the full recipe in detail in the recipe card below.
Prepare Ribs
Before seasoning the ribs with the dry rub, it is best to remove the membrane on pork ribs, as it can be chewy and rubbery and make the ribs less than pleasant to eat. To do this, slide a dinner knife under the under the membrane (the white layer) and then lift the knife until the membrane loosens. Grab the edge of the membrane and pull it off.
Use a Trivet
It is best to elevate the seasoned ribs above the cooking liquid. This will help the meat to cook, without become soggy. Keep in mind you will need to gently roll the ribs into a semi-circle to fit inside your Instant Pot.
Pressure Cook Ribs
Regardless if you are cooking baby back ribs or spare ribs, you will want to cook on high pressure with a natural pressure release of at least 15 minutes! This is key to keeping the ribs tender and juicy.
Broil Ribs if Desired
If you would like to get a crispy skin on your ribs, which I highly recommend, place the pressure-cooked ribs onto a large sheet pan or broiler pan. Coat with your favorite barbecue sauce and broil the ribs under high heat for 3-4 minutes, watching closely so as to not burn them. Flip the ribs, brush with additional BBQ sauce, and broil for 3-4 minutes on the other side.
∗ Spare Ribs VS Baby Back Ribs∗
Spare ribs are taken from the bottom portion of the pork ribs and are bigger, meatier, and can be a tougher cut of meat. Baby back ribs are taken from the top portion of the rib cage and are smaller and naturally more tender than spare ribs.
Both spare ribs and baby back ribs can be prepared using this recipe for Instant Pot Ribs. And even the spare ribs become tender when pressure cooked.
Keep in mind, the cooking time will vary based on what type of ribs you prepare. For Baby Back Ribs the cooking time is 25 minutes. For Spare Ribs, the cooking time is 35 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Instant Pot BBQ Ribs make the ultimate summer meal, especially when served with creamy coleslaw and homemade baked beans. However, thanks to the Instant Pot, you can enjoy BBQ Ribs year-round! I love serving them with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes or Instant Pot Mac and Cheese for a cozy, flavorful meal fit for any time of the year.
More Instant Pot Pork Recipes
- Instant Pot Carnitas
- Instant Pot Pork Chops
- Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin
- Instant Pot Pork and Sauerkraut
If you tried out this recipe for Instant Pot Ribs, please take the time to leave a review and comment below.
Instant Pot Ribs
Ingredients
- 1 rack ribs spare ribs or baby back ribs
- ¼ cup light or dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika or regular paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 to 1-½ cups apple juice see recipe for exact amount
- ½ teaspoon liquid smoke optional
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Place a trivet into the inner pot of the pressure cooker. Pour in 1 cup of apple juice if cooking the ribs in a 6-quart Instant Pot and if using an 8-quart Instant Pot pour in 1-½ cups of apple juice. Add in the liquid smoke if using.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in a small bowl until well combined. Set this aside.
- Remove the membrane from the ribs. At one end of the rack, slide a dinner knife under the membrane and over a bone then lift until the membrane loosens. Grab the edge of the membrane and pull it off--it may come off in several pieces.
- Generously rub the spice blend over the entire surface of the ribs. Roll the ribs in a semicircle and place them on the trivet in the pressure cooker. Place the lid on the pressure cooker and be sure the vent knob is pointed towards sealed.
- Cook ribs on High Pressure For Baby Back Ribs set the cooking time to 25 minutes. For Spare Ribs set the cooking time to 35 minutes. To set the cooking time, hit manual or pressure cook and use the +/- buttons to adjust the cooking time.
- Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 15 minutes. This means leaving the Instant Pot alone and letting the float valve naturally float down and/or the lid unlock.
- Remove the ribs from the Instant Pot and place them on a broiler pan (or cutting board if not broiling.)
- If desired, brush the top surface of the ribs with barbecue sauce and broil under high heat for 3-4 minutes, watching closely. Remove the ribs from the oven, flip, and brush them with additional BBQ sauce. Return to the broiler for an additional 3-4 minutes on other side.
- Remove the ribs from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Sheena
Could I use country style (boneless) beef ribs with this recipes? If so, what pressure time would you suggest ? Thank you
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Sheena! Season the ribs with the dry rub, place in apple juice and cook for 35 minutes on high pressure with a full natural pressure release. S
Sheena
Great, thank you! So I have 2 pks with 6 boneless in each. Should I still use the same amount of apple juice or double it?
Kristen Chidsey
I would actually double the liquid so that they are fully submerged. 🙂
Conni
Can apple cider be used for the liquid?
Thanks
Kristen Chidsey
Yes! Apple cider would be delicious. Just don't use apple cider vinegar 🙂
Ted Drum
We use apple cider vinegar Everytime with great success... It's amazing.... I use 75% ACV and 25% water ...
Em
Can you start with frozen ribs or do they have to be thawed?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Em! If you can bend your frozen ribs to fit, it will work, but I find that next to impossible. If you can do so, add 10 minutes to the cooking time.
Kathie
Hi, Kristen:
I am planning on making 2 racks this weekend for hubby's b'day celebration. I have a 6 qt. Instant Pot and don't know if they all will fit inside. Should I cut each slab in half to fit better...or do 2 separate cook times?
These sound crazy good and I can't wait for our family to experience them!
Kristen Chidsey
Happy Early Birthday to you husband! Feel free to make 2 racks of ribs. Double the spice rub and place both racks of ribs on the trivet (they should fit nestled together) and cook as directed. Keep in mind the amount of cooking liquid and the cooking time will not change regardless of doubling the recipe.
Kathie
ANOTHER QUESTION....Would I be able to pressure cook ahead of time, refrigerate (or freeze) then heat/broil with sauce the next day or at a later time?
THANKS SO MUCH!!
Kristen Chidsey
Yes! I would recommend pressure cooking as directed. But instead of broiling, I would bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes with the sauce. This will warm the ribs and crisp them up.
Kathie
I really appreciate the speedy replies--thank you so much.
I will make them ahead as you suggested then transport to the lake house for finishing.
I will let you know how they turn out.
YOU ARE A GEM!