Easy Instant Pot BBQ Ribs
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The easiest ribs ever made in less than 1 hr! So saucy, sticky, and tender, it just falls off-the-bone! So good.
Featured Comment
I’ll be completely honest with you. We had to recipe test these ribs a minimum of 3 times to completely perfect them. So I came home with 2 racks of baby back ribs on 3 separate occasions. In a span of 2 weeks, of course.
That being said, we can really thank my husband for this recipe. He was an avid recipe tester here, thoroughly eating through all the ribs each and every time. And he’s truly helped us create the most perfect, tender, fall-off-the-bone, juicy ribs each and every time in less than one hour.
why i love this easy recipe
- Made in half the time. Thanks to the Instant Pot®, the cook time is cut down by more than half, and these ribs are ready in less than 1 hour.
- Fool-proof recipe. This recipe is absolutely fool-proof, even for first-time cooks out there who have never made ribs before! The end result is fall-off-the-bone, finger-licking goodness with minimal hands-on time. And the quick broil at the very end helps caramelize the BBQ sauce so it’s super sticky, and well, just perfect.
- Convenient make-ahead recipe. The ribs can easily be made ahead of time, prepped + seasoned with the dry rub and placed in the fridge overnight, perfect for quick weeknight meals and summer entertaining.
different types of ribs
Spare ribs
Spare ribs are larger and meatier than baby back ribs, but take much longer to cook through to get tender.
Baby back ribs
Smaller than spare ribs, baby back ribs are generally leaner and more tender.
St. Louis ribs
St. Louis ribs are trimmed spare ribs and are often times cheaper than baby back ribs.
Country style ribs
Country style ribs are not taken from the ribs (like spare ribs and baby back ribs). Instead they are cut from the end of the pork loin (close to the shoulder) and cut to resemble ribs. They are known for their marbling (high fat content), best cooked low and slow (ex. smoking or braising).
which bbq sauce is best
This is really dependent on personal preference – sweet, spicy, tangy, etc. – but we personally love a sweet BBQ sauce for this recipe, particularly Stubb’s and Sweet Baby Ray’s. Honorable mentions include Trader Joe’s BBQ Sauce and Bachan’s.
how to make the easiest ribs in the instant pot
- Remove and discard the membrane from the ribs
- Combine the dry rub ingredients and season the ribs thoroughly
- Add the liquids (chicken stock + apple cider vinegar) to keep the IP happy
- Coil the ribs on top of the metal trivet (to prevent burning and soggy ribs), seal and set the IP to 25 minutes
- Remove the ribs, brush on your favorite BBQ sauce and broil until perfectly caramelized
tips and tricks for success
- Remove the membrane. Removing the membrane will ensure that the ribs are tender and flavorful. If left on, the membrane can be tough and chewy when cooked, while also preventing the rub (and BBQ sauce) to penetrate the meat properly throughout the cooking process.
- Start with a dry rub. A dry rub is ideal for ribs for that flavorful crust without adding too much moisture, sealing in the juices and preventing the ribs from drying out.
- Brown sugar is key. The brown sugar does not make these ribs overly sweet. It will add a subtle sweetness, while also caramelizing and adding moisture to the ribs, keeping the ribs tender and juicy.
- Use baby back ribs. Spare ribs can be used, but baby back ribs is generally preferred as they are tender + leaner, and cook much quicker than spare ribs.
- Broiling is optional but highly recommended. Broiling is an additional step, but so worth it. With an extra brush of BBQ sauce, the broiling process helps create that favorited crisp, caramelized crust without burning. But be sure to keep a close eye on it – it caramelizes quickly!
- Reheat in the oven. Leftover ribs can be rubbery and tough when reheated. For best results with leftovers, a low, slow oven is the way to go to prevent the ribs from drying out. Let the ribs come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes first. Then reheat in the oven at 250°F, covered in aluminum foil until warmed through.
PRO TIP
Use a metal trivet.
Using a metal trivet will help keep the meat elevated, preventing any kind of sticking or that dreaded “burn” error. This will also allow for better steam and liquid circulation, ensuring more even cooking and tenderness of the ribs.
what to serve with the sauciest bbq ribs
Tools For This Recipe
6-qt Instant Pot®
Easy Instant Pot BBQ Ribs: Frequently Asked Questions
The membrane will be tough and chewy, and will not allow the meat to be seasoned and flavored properly. Removing the membrane is optional but will allow for more tender, flavorful results.
The metal trivet is key to elevate the meat to avoid soggy, mushy ribs (when the ribs are submerged in liquid throughout the entire cooking process) and to avoid the dreaded burn warning. The trivet will also allow for better circulation for even cooking, ensuring juicy, tender ribs.
Yes! The ribs can be prepped + seasoned with the spice rub beforehand and placed in the fridge, covered, overnight.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Easy Instant Pot BBQ Ribs
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground mustard
- 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 pounds baby back pork ribs, trimmed of excess fat, rinsed, and patted dry
- 2 cups chicken stock
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups barbecue sauce
Equipment
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, salt, onion powder, chili powder, mustard, paprika, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, black pepper, cumin and cayenne pepper.
- Remove the membrane from the underside of the ribs, pulling it down the entire length. Season ribs with brown sugar mixture, rubbing in thoroughly on both sides.
- Add chicken stock and apple cider vinegar to a 6-qt Instant Pot®. Place metal trivet into the pot. Place ribs upright on top of the trivet, wrapping in a circle.
- Select manual setting; adjust pressure to high, and set time for 25 minutes. When finished cooking, quick-release pressure according to manufacturer’s directions.
- Preheat oven to broil. Line a baking sheet with foil.
- Place ribs, meat side up, in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet; brush with barbecue sauce.
- Place into oven and broil until barbecue sauce is caramelized and browned, about 4-6 minutes.
- Serve immediately with remaining barbecue sauce.
Did you make this recipe?
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The absolute best!! We’ve had these several times now and they are always amazing! Even when we didn’t have any bbq sauce the rub was so flavorful that it still tasted the best!
Delicious! Will throw all other bbq rib recipes away!
Same here!!! This is an amazing recipe!! Damn delicious, Indeed!!
My husband said it was the best meal ever! The ribs were tender and well-seasoned. I didn’t have smoked paprika, so I used regular and I didn’t have cayenne pepper, so I threw in some red pepper flakes.
This is our go to recipe, we tried it once and game over, no other recipe compares. This recipe is comparable to what you’d get at a ribfest minus the flames it’s delicious.
Fabulous recipe!!! Makes fall-off-the-bone tender ribs! They are full of flavor and the broiled-on barbecue sauce adds another dimension of flavor and texture!
Fantastic! A perfect recipe.
I used to dry rub and marinate my pork ribs overnight, so it took a bit of planning to get the meal on the table. This recipe changed all that. Now, when I want BBQ ribs, I pull out the crock pot, and an excellent dinner is on the table in under an hour! Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe!
We are new to instant pot cooking this is the third rib recipe I have tried hands-down the best one yet. Thank you for this awesome recipe
I will never make ribs any other way again! They were tender, flavorful and super easy to make. The rub is so good you really don’t need sauce but getting messy is part of the experience. I know that die hard bbq master will scoff at this recipe but for cooks like myself that want delicious and fuss free, you won’t be disappointed with this recipe. Thanks DD.
Excellent going to try with pork spare ribs hope I can get the under side off♀️
Best Rib recipe every!!! We make this 2x a month and have passed the recipe to many people! Question, can this be done in a crock pot? I have a friend who wants to try the recipe, but doesn’t have an instant pot. Thanks!
Hello,
I’m Jackson, I’m a chef who loves food, I’m always interested in new foods. EASY INSTANT POT BBQ RIBS is great! I just finished them tonight, taste is great and i had a great dinner with my little family. Thanks for your sharing.
Sincerely grateful!
I bought an instant pot a few weeks back and was wanting to get creative with it. I never imagine ribs were going to be my first one, but I found this easy-to-follow recipe and had to try it.
I followed the instructions to the letter and the Ribs came out really nice, I would not change the grill ever in the world BUT considering how easy they are to make and how little care you need to put into this, I would definitely make this a regular.
If you haven’t already, try it!
These are so easy snd delicious! This is my go to when company comes unexpectedly. They go home full and happy and they think I am the best cook because I just whipped this up for them! Lol. I keep baby back ribs in the freezer just for this occasion. Enjoy
I absolutely love this recipe!! I have used it several times now and even sent it to a friend who loves it too! This was my first time making ribs in the instant pot and they turned out perfect! The meat was so tender! I never looked for any more recipes for ribs after I tried this one because it was so good.
I used your recipe 3x already. The taste seems better each time I made it. My family loves your recipe. Thank you for sharing.
This sounds amazing and sounds like it would work well in a smoker too! Can’t wait to try it both in an IP and in a smoker!
I have not cooked this yet but do have a question. If I had 3lbs of St Louis ribs, how long do you think I should cook it for? Thank you.
I haven’t made a these ribs yet they sound delicious!! Could I please get the receipt! After I make them I will come back and go be a updated review. Thank you so much. Debbie
The perfect ribs, the rub is awesome… Never ordering ribs from a restaurant again!