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 Pressure Cooker Pork 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 Pressure Cooker Pork Ribs
- 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 instant 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 Pork 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 Pressure Cooker
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.
I provide a simple and tasty spice mix for this insta pot recipe, however you can use your favorite pork rib seasoning.
You can cook these barbecue pork ribs in a 6 Qt pressure cooker or in a larger 8 Qt or 10 Qt pressure cooker.
Yes, you can make 2 slabs of ribs instead of 1 rib slab. You will need extra seasoning mix and double the BBQ sauce! However, you don’t need any additional cooking liquid. Use the amount of apple juice and apple cider vinegar listed in the recipe below. Cook the ribs for an additional 8 minutes to ensure fall-off-the-bone tenderness.
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.
Pressure Cooker Ribs Recipe Tips
- Add 1/2 teaspoon of liquid smoke to the cooking liquid to add a light smoky taste.
- You don’t have to broil the ribs. If you prefer simply slather the BBQ sauce and serve however, broiling the ribs adds lots of flavor and a nice caramelization to the ribs.
- Feel free to double this rib recipe! You won’t need to double the cooking liquid, just the spices and the homemade BBQ sauce. Pressure cook the ribs for an additional 8 minutes.
- I always find amazing baby back ribs at Costco. They are super meaty and priced just right!
Take a Look At These Other Easy Pressure Cooker Recipes:
- Instant Pot Carnitas
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- Instant Pot Brisket
- Shredded Chicken in Instant Pot
- 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
Try some of Favorites here at Lemon Blossoms
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Best Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs Recipe
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 pressure cooker 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 pressure cook on high for 23 minutes (25 if the ribs are meaty).
- Once done, allow the instant pot to naturally 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 instead. If you like the BBQ sauce to be thick you can omit this step.
- You don’t have to broil the ribs. If you prefer simply slather the BBQ sauce and serve however, broiling the ribs adds lots of flavor and a nice caramelization to the ribs.
- Feel free to double this rib recipe! You won’t need to double the cooking liquid, just the spices and the homemade BBQ sauce. Pressure cook the ribs for an additional 8 minutes.
- 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).
Nutrition
Gwenn McDonald says
I have used this rib recipe twice. The first one came out fantastic. Picky husband said it was better than the rib restaurant we have gone to.
Now the bad part, last night used the same exact recipe except for the rub (I make my own rub). When I opened the pot the smell of the apple cider was overwhelming. Can apple cider go bad? The ribs were a little over done (30 min on manual + 20 min nr.
The pot, silicone trivet smell like apple cider. Washed by hand with vinegar and smell still there. Washed again in dishwasher with added vinegar and they still smell of apple cider vinegar. Now they are sitting in the sun hoping to diminish the smell.
Where did I go wrong? Thank you for your help.
Kathy says
Hi Gwenn, I am glad you first made the recipe as written. Yes, apple cider can definitely go bad. It will get acidic and in simple words very gross. It can also grow mold. I am thinking that the problem was the apple cider, especially if it smelled acidic. I use my instant pot a lot and I am sad to say that the rubber sealing ring always absorbs the smell of the food. I think silicone will also absorb the smell. High pressure cooking definitely seals in the flavors – and also the smells. You can put about 3 cups of water in your IP with a piece of lemon rind and use the steam function for 2 minutes. I have heard of putting the smelling items in the sun but have never try it. The dishwasher also helps. Next time you use the trivet, it will just smell like the next food you cook LOL
Teri Kennedy says
I’m in the middle of moving and was looking for quick and easy family-friendly meals to cook in the Instant Pot when I stumbled across this recipe. So glad I did! Made exactly as written (with the exception of subbing apple cider for apple juice) and it was absolutely delicious. Ribs fell off the bone and the sauce was great. We’ll be hanging onto this one even when we’re not moving! It’s a keeper!
Kathy says
Hi Teri, Moving is so much work!! I hope is all going smooth. So glad to hear dinner was a success. Thank you for the feedback.
Cara Quinn says
First time doing ribs in instant pot, so kinda nervous! But recipe did not disappoint. So tasty!❤
Kathy says
Thanks Cara. So glad to hear you liked the recipe.
Samantha Russo says
Easiest ribs I’ve ever made, and fall-off-the-bone tender and delicious! My family ate every single rib. My 3-year old granddaughter even ate three ribs(left out cayenne pepper & hot sauce) and she rarely eats anything I make! The rub gave these ribs the perfect flavor, too. This recipe’s a keeper.
Kathy says
Hi Samantha, Thank you. I am so happy to hear you all like the ribs – especially your 3-year old. I know how picky kids can be. I have 2! Thanks again.
Shenaz Hamilton says
This is the first recipe I made with my new instant pot. Wow! So easy and quick. This is going on my weeknight dinner rotation.
Kathy says
Hi Shenaz, I hope you are loving your new instant Pot. I really love mine. Thank you for the feedback. I am so happy to hear you loved these ribs. xo
Donna says
Thank you for the recipe. Any reason why I couldn’t use apple cider instead of juice?
Kathy says
Hi Donna, you can use apple cider also.
J. S. says
Made this recipe tonight & my family loved it!!! I didn’t have apple juice, so I put
1.5 C of water with cranberry juice concentrate as the liquid. Turned out AMAZING!
Kathy says
Hi J.S. Great substitution! Thank you.
Erin Meisel says
How many racks will fit in the instant pot? I bought the Costco back ribs and it came with 3…
Kathy says
I usually fit one or two. Never tried 3.
N. Snyder says
OMG, best rub EVER!!!!! Off the hook flavor. I’m keeping this recipe forever!!
Kathy says
You made my day! Thank you!
Cheryl Cox says
The ribs were so tender and flavorful! Better than the low and slow method. Greatly appreciate the detailed information, which made this an easy to follow recipe. Absolutely yummy!
Kathy says
Thank you Cheryl! I am glad you enjoyed the ribs.