Best Pressure Cooker Baby Back Ribs (Instant Pot)

These Pressure Cooker Ribs (Instant Pot Ribs) are incredibly flavorful, fall of the bone tender and they cook in about 30 minutes! These Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs are seasoned with a simple dry rub and smothered in delicious BBQ sauce.

Cooking ribs in the instant pot is not only incredibly easy but super fast compared to the time it usually takes to cook ribs any other way. Pressure cooking ribs ensures meaty and tender ribs that are mouthwatering delicious.

The Best Pressure Cooker Ribs

For many years, my go-to pork rib recipe has been these BBQ Ribs in the Oven. They are incredibly delicious and easy to make but, they require a bit of time to cook and reach tender perfection. Since I don’t always plan ahead, I usually find myself reaching for my electric pressure cooker.

Cook Ribs From Fresh Or Frozen

You can cook ribs in the instant pot from fresh or frozen. Just make sure you season the ribs prior to freezing, otherwise the spice mix won’t stick to the meat. Cut the ribs into smaller pieces (about 4-5 ribs), so it is easy to place them into the instant pot.

How To Cook Instant Pot Ribs From Frozen

Seasoning the ribs before freezing them is important. The spice rub won’t stick to the meat if frozen. Also cut the rib rack into smaller pieces so they fit in the Instant Pot comfortably.

When cooking ribs in the instant pot from frozen, add additional 5-7 minutes of cooking time. Just like fresh or thawed out ribs cook on high pressure.

How To Make Ribs In The Pressure Cooker

• Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs.
• Season the ribs with the dry rub.
• Place a trivet (pressure cooker rack) at the bottom of the instant pot. This prevents the ribs from sitting in the cooking liquid.
• Add the liquid. I use a combination of apple juice and apple cider vinegar. Apple juice is a favorite when cooking ribs.
• Place the ribs inside the pressure cooker, standing up and wrapping around the pot. You can also cut the slab of ribs into 3 – 4 pieces (depending on the size of the slab), so they fit comfortably into the insta pot.
• Close the lid, seal and cook on high pressure for 23 minutes (25 minutes if they are meaty). 
• While the ribs are pressure cooking, make the homemade BBQ sauce.
• When the cooking time is done, allow 5 minutes of natural release pressure (nrp).
• Remove the ribs from the pressure cooker and place them on a 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 or until the top is bubbly and a bit charred.

Broiling The Ribs

To broil or not to broil the ribs. Broiling is an additional step that ensures beautiful golden brown ribs just like the ones cooked on a grill or smoker. It also caramelizes the BBQ sauce giving it a nice flavor. The ribs are fully cooked when they come off the pressure cooker so broiling is an optional step.

What Kind Of Ribs To Buy

Although this quick and easy recipe calls for baby back ribs, you can use other type of pork ribs like spareribs (or side ribs) St. Louis style ribs, country style ribs or pork loin ribs. Pick your favorite type of ribs and go with it!

• Baby Back Ribs: Also known as loin ribs, loin back ribs and back ribs. Baby back ribs are called “baby” because they are shorter than other types of ribs. They are the leanest and most tender of all the ribs.
• Spare Ribs: Also known as side ribs. Due to marbling (more fat between the muscle fibers) these ribs are succulent and have a richer, meatier flavor. They usually have more meant between bones than on the top.
• St. Louis Style Ribs: Also known as Kansas city cut. These ribs are the same as spare ribs but with the tips cut off which makes them a bit shorter than spare ribs.

How Long To Cook Ribs In The Instant Pot

Fresh pork ribs take between 22 – 25 minutes to cook in the Instant Pot. Time varies depending on the type of ribs you are cooking. Extra meaty ribs take about 25 minutes. To cook frozen ribs in the pressure cooker, add about 5 – 7 minutes of high pressure cooking time.

• Baby Back Ribs: To cook baby back ribs in the instant pot (from fresh), cook on high pressure for 23 -25 minutes + 5 minutes of natural pressure release (npr).
• Spare Ribs: To cook spare ribs in the instant pot (from fresh), cook on high pressure 30-35 minutes + 20 minutes of natural release. Do not skip the natural pressure release (npr). This is an important step that will guarantee tenderness.
• St. Louis Style Ribs: To cook St. Louis style ribs in the instant pot (from fresh), cook on high pressure 30-35 minutes + 20 minutes of natural release. Do not skip the natural pressure release (npr).

If you live in high altitude, choose the higher number so you cook the ribs a bit longer. For lower altitude simple chose the lower cooking time.

How To Remove The Membrane From The Ribs

• Place the ribs meaty side down.
• Use a knife to free a corner of the membrane.
• Lift the loose part of the membrane and with a paper towel rip it off.

Take a Look At These Other Easy Pressure Cooker Recipes:

• Instant Pot Carnitas
• Instant Pot Pulled Pork
• Instant Pot Brisket
• Pressure Cooker Whole Chicken Rotisserie Style
• Pressure Cooker Split Pea Soup with Ham

Serve These Finger-Licking Instant Pot BBQ Ribs with these side dishes:

• Creamy Cilantro Lime Coleslaw
• Mexican Three Bean Salad
• Charro Beans
• Creamy Mayo Free Caesar Style Potato Salad