Fall Off the Bone Instant Pot Ribs Recipe

4.69 from 118 reviews

Fall Off the Bone Instant Pot Ribs Recipe

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!

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Pressure Cooker Ribs

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings

Calories 254kcal

Author Chef Kathy McDaniel

Equipment

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

Notes

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