These Pressure Cooker Ribs (Instant Pot Ribs) are fall off the bone tender and cooked in 30 minutes! Seasoned with a simple dry rub and then smothered in BBQ sauce. These BBQ ribs are quick, easy and delicious!
I love pork ribs recipes! Baby back ribs recipes, spare ribs, country style ribs – I love them all! There is something special about tender and succulent ribs smothered in a lip smacking sauce. They are irresistible and thanks to this instapot recipe you can have ribs ready in very little time.
For many years, my go-to pork rib recipe has been these BBQ Ribs in the Oven. They are incredibly delicious and very easy to make but, they require a bit of time to reach tender perfection. Since I don’t always plan ahead and my desire to eat ribs for dinner can suddenly hit on a weekday – one hour before dinner time – there is nothing more convenient than reaching for the Instant Pot!
How Long Do you Cook Ribs in a Pressure Cooker?
Times will vary depending on the type of ribs you are using. Baby Back Ribs take between 20 to 25 minutes to cook in an instant pot. Meatier ribs like country style ribs, take between 30 to 35 minutes to become fall off the bone tender.
The times above do not include the time the instant pot takes to come to pressure or any pressure release time. For this reason, I always plan for my rack of ribs to be ready in one hour or less!
How To Make Pressure Cooker Ribs
- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. The easiest way is by using a knife to free a corner of the membrane. Lift the loose part of the membrane and with a paper towel rip it off.
- Season the ribs with the dry rub.
- Place the ribs into the instant pot. Use the trivet to keep the ribs from touching the bottom of the pot. If you don’t have a trivet (it comes with the pressure cooker), you can elevate the pork by rolling aluminum foil into a ball.
- Add some liquid. A combination of water and apple cider vinegar is what I usually use.
- Remove the ribs from the pressure cooker and place them on sheet pan (I line the sheet pan with aluminum foil for easy clean up). Brush the rib rack generously with the BBQ sauce.
- Place under the broiler for about 5 minutes until the top is bubbly and a bit charred.
Kathy’s Notes
- Do you love Instant Pot Recipes? I do! Check these out:
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Pressure Cooker Whole Chicken Rotisserie Style
Pressure Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham - Serve these mouthwatering ribs with
Creamy Cilantro Lime Coleslaw
Mexican Three Bean Salad
Creamy Mayo Free Caesar Style Potato Salad (West Via Midwest)
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Pressure Cooker Ribs with BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
For the Spice Rub
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons salt
For the Ribs
- 1 rack baby back pork ribs
- 1 1/4 cup apple juice
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
For the BBQ Sauce
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (store bought)
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup Maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (like Texas Pete)
- 1/4 cup ribs cooking liquid *see notes
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the spice rub ingredients.
- Rinse ribs and pat dry with paper towels. Remove the membrane on the back of the ribs.
- Season the baby back ribs generously on both sides with the spice rub.
- Place the trivet (or rack) in the bottom of your pressure cooker. Add the juice and the apple cider vinegar.
- Place the ribs inside the pressure cooker, standing up and wrapping around the pot. Close the lid and set the pressure cooker to Meat/stew and set the timer for 23 minutes (25 if they are meaty).
- Once done, allow the instant pot to natural release for 5 minutes, then open the valve to release the remaining pressure.
- While the ribs are cooking, prepare the BBQ sauce. Place all the ingredients (except the ribs cooking liquid) in a small saucepan and stir to combine. Simmer on low heat for about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. When the ribs are done, remove 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid and add it to the sauce. Stir and simmer on low for an additional 5 minutes.
- Remove the ribs from the pressure cooker and place them on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet. Brush them generously with the BBQ sauce (on both sides), and place them under the broiler for about 5 minutes or until slightly charred. Serve with the remaining BBQ sauce.
Video
Chef's Tips
- Ribs Cooking Liquid - after the ribs are completely cooked, I add 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid (from the bottom of the instant pot) to the BBQ sauce. It adds a bit of delicious meaty flavor. You could add broth, apple juice or water to the BBQ sauce instead. If you like the BBQ sauce to be thick you can omit this step.
- Nutritional information is a rough estimate and may vary greatly depending on products used.
Nutrition
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If you’ve tried this or any other of my recipes, don’t forget to rate the recipe and to leave me a comment. I love hearing from you!
Donna Deter says
I love the recipe and it’s easy to follow but I’m a first time user and I set it like you said it says it’s on but it doesn’t seem to be doing snything does it make noise or is it quiet???? Thank you for your help.
Kathy says
Hi Donna, it should beep once (depending on the model) and then start sealing – so it makes sounds as if something was boiling. Then it counts down as it starts pressure cooking. Have you check the lid? I had issues with mine and since I learn I really need to close it almost with a bit of force – perhaps its a fault on my model. BTW I have two and only one is stubborn when it comes to sealing.
Judy G says
Best ribs ever!
Lina says
These ribs are incredible and if you don’t make them, idk what you’re doing with your life.
Kathy says
🙂
Astrid says
So yummy and so fast to cook compared to cooking this ribs with oven only. Finger licking good and meat were very tender, flaky, it fell of the bones! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. Definitely a keeper. Oh ya, I save this recipe in my cookpad but I mention your link there 🙂 many thanks ❤️
Craig says
Hi, If you wanted to do say 6 racks, could you do two at a time and set aside until all done, then when all done coat them with the sauce and put in grill? Having the first lots cool whilst the others are in the pout wouldn’t cause any issues? Also would you empty out the juice from the pot each time? Thank you, these look so yummy.
Kathy says
Hi Craig, Yes I would cook 2 at a time. Remove from the ribs from the pot, place them on a sheet pan, cover them with foil (so they don’t dry up) until all 6 are ready for grilling or broiling. As for the juice, as a chef I would tell you to replenish each time. As a practical mom/wife/housekeeper/home chef I will suggest you remove the liquid needed for the sauce out of the first batch of cooked ribs and just keep replenishing the juice. Why? If you wait for the 6 ribs to be cooked, your liquid may be salty due to the seasoning dripping into the juice. Emphasis on “may” – as it is hard to predict. Either way, you don’t need to use the cooking liquid for the BBQ sauce but it really makes the sauce taste so much better. Hope this helps!
@HankJrFL says
OMFG!! This recipe produces ribs that are PHENOMENAL!!! This is, by far, the best thing I’ve made yet in our Instant Pot. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Kathy says
Thank you! One of our favorite recipes, I am so glad you liked them!