Easy Instant Pot BBQ Ribs
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The easiest and quickest BBQ ribs made right in your pressure cooker! So saucy, sticky, and tender, it just falls off-the-bone!
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 Ben for this recipe. He was an avid recipe tester here, thoroughly eating through all the ribs each and every time.
So, thank you, babe. You’ve helped us create the most perfect tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs each and every time in less than one hour.
I’m serious, guys. This is truly the only way to prepare baby back ribs. The IP cuts down the time by more than half, and the quick broil at the very end helps caramelize the sauce so it’s super sticky, and well, just perfect.
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 2-pound racks 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
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 20-25 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.
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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!
I have tried yours and possibly 20+ rib recipes,only two in an instapot, mine and yours. By combining the two I now have the absolute best ribs in the world of pressure cooking. My secret? Use your dry ingredients as a rub the NIGHT BEFORE eliminating thyme and oregano, adding cinnamon and marjoram AFTER rubbing both side of the ribs with Roses Lime Juice (done first and allowed to dry). Lime is a natural meat tenderizer and the sugar in Roses doubles the action and sweetens the meat to taste like dry aged pork. I use natural unbleached sugar to pick up more caramel taste and smoked paprika. For liquid I use pork stock I made from the fat trimmings mixed with liquid smoke and the same smoked chipotle chili powder I added to the dry rub. I will gladly share the measured amounts in my dry rub for anyone who asks. At the end I use my own homemade BBQ sauce which is a complex recipe I will share if asked. I have been using this same BBQ sauce since creating it for Sewart Aderson’s Black Angus Restaurants in 1968.
Good eating in the neighborhood tonight, thanks to you! One last thing. Use charcol to finish or a 650° gas grill for half the time, about one minute on all four sides of each rib, cut and grilled individually and served with heated sauce on the side and spicy garlic bread.
Double YUM!!!
Hello Scotty; you sound like a rib expert. I’m very interested in your rib recipe and also bbq sauce if you’re willing to share. I’ve tried many cooking methods and rubs but still they are just ok. I would like the ribs to still have some chew to them but also tender reducing to cook time in the IP. Any advise you can provide would be welcome . Thanks
this sounds amazing….I would love to try making your homemade BBQ sauce!!
I have this recipe cooking right now…I chose to slow cook(in oven) after rub and letting them sit overnight, and will finish off on the grill! cant wait!
I would love to try out your pork back rib dry rub along with your home make bbq sauce if you would like to share. I am a new owner and novice with the instant pot. The little menu book and it comes with is pretty poor and I am looking for easy, quick recipes that will satisfy my family. Thanks for your input. Regards, Karen
Hi Scotty – i’m def interested in your recipe. Your suggestions are similar to a recipe I have used in the past, but the Rose’s is new. Great idea!
After reading your comments, I am intrigued to ask for your Dry Rub recipe and Barbecue Sauce recipe which you mentioned! My husband was the BBQ aficionado, but the died in March’21 and I am craving some of his ribs. It is a new endeavor for me as I never wanted to horn in on “his BBQ love”! He might be horrified that I am not using his smoker, but I am learning to use the Instapot he bought me! I am excited at the prospect of a new recipe you are willing to share! Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity! I am excited about something at long last!
Hi Scotty. I would also love to get your dry rub and BBQ sauce recipe please. Thank you.
Hi, I would love your recipe for both rub n sauce. I’m trying to teach my son some great recipes to master and yours sounds like a winner!
I would also love to get your rub and BBQ recipe, Scotty!
Hello Scotty,
My husband and I have started to make more home-made meals since the pandemic. We are looking to make ribs for the very first time. Would you be so kind to share the recipe for the rub and barbeque sauce. We are not in the restaurant or food blogger business. We are two professionals who love eating:) Looking forward to your response. Kind regards, Kiran
Texas boy. 79 yr. old. Alone. Will use your recipe for BBQ ribs for Thanksgiving. Can I get Scotty McDowell, May 9, 2021 recipe for Sauce? Or can you forward your favorite.
Many thanks.
Hey Scotty,
Enjoyed your post on BBQ ribs and your expertise regarding ribs cooked n an instant Pot. I would appreciate receiving your measurements for the dry rub and and the amount of liquid smoke added to your liquids in your IP prior to cooking.
Thank so much!
i WOULD LOVE YOUR RECIPES FOR BARBEQUE SACUE AND RUB
Good Morning Scotty:
Very interested in your rub and sauce. PLEASE share if you don’t mind.
I’m very anxious to try this rib recipe, but find your ingredients to my liking. Would you please share your rub and bbq sauce recipes.
Hello Scotty-Just reading this recipe for the first time along with your wonderful suggestions. Is it still possible to get your measurements and bar-b-que sauce recipe? I’ve never made ribs but want to figure this out for my husband-he LOVES ribs.
Thank you in advance!!
Would like your recipes for rub and sauce. I have riblets (not rib tips, but like Applebee’s riblets to cook.)
Thank you!
Basically this is a great recipe, however next time I use it I will halve the thyme and cayenne as they seem to fight with each other. Tender, fall off the bone meat.
What if I am cooking 2 baby back ribs that are each 2.7 pounds. Do I increase the cook time?
The best BBQ rib recipe, the ribs are so tender . My family loves them. I cook my ribs on 30 minutes instead of 25.
How would you adjust the timing if using spare ribs?
I have made these so many times and it is my go to rib recipe – my ribs are always perfect and delicious. Personally I was never a big rib fan but, this recipe changed my view on ribs. Fall off the bone and so tasty. I don’t divert from the way the recipe is written as it is spot on, just the way it is. Making these again tonight
By far the best ribs we have ever eaten. We’ve cooked ribs in smoker, on grill, and in oven…and they were all good.
But THESE ribs LITERALLY fell off the bone! We wondered about the vinegar (I HATE the taste and smell)…but there was NO taste of it, and it must have had a purpose, because these ribs were perfect!
We are in the process of cooking them for tonight again! Thanks souch for sharing this with all of us!