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.
Did you make this recipe?
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wow, it looks very yummy. I will try this week.
Ellie Watson
Absolutely incredible. Like I think my husband shed a tear. And stupid easy.
Almost too delicious. Seriously.
Tried this recipe for my first experience cooking with my new instapot. It was so good and I also shared with a buddy! I followed your recipe and did not add anything extra. The ribs had a great flavor and just fell off the bones. I also used sticky fingers bbq sweet sauce and broiled them in the Oven to finish. Thank you for the recipe.
Thank you!! I made the run but eliminated the sodium because of my diet. I used 2” slices of pork butt instead of ribs. I put the rub on and let it sit in the fridge for a couple hours (too much time on my hands!) and I cut the fluid down to 1 cup. Made my own BBQ sauce because of the salt. Came out wonderfully! Thank you for helping me learn how to use an IP and the delicious recipe.
Ingredients are PERFECT. Next time I’ll cook them 30 minutes in my Instant Pot. I did cover them with BBQ sauce and baked them for 20 minutes in my oven at 415 degrees. They were delicious!
I have not had very much luck with recipes from the web but this Rib Recipe was out of this world. My family was very surprised at the taste of the ribs but what actually surprise them was that I made them . Thank you so much!
I will be using your recipes for my Instant Pot.
Thanks to your hubby for trying all the other recipes.
Sincerely,
mscholma@yahoo.com
Could you cook the ribs ahead in the instant pot then heat/broil when ready to eat?
Yes!
Totally delicious!!
Thank you so much for this recipe. Used it as my first instant pot recipe. Cut my normal rib cooking time by an hour.
This recipe is excellent! Definitely a keeper!
We were all surprised — they were fabulous. Smelled like vinegar while it cooked, so we were wary. Filled my IP more than I should have, probably (used two slabs), but it worked!
These were delicious. I want to make them at the fire station without the Instapot. How would you recommend slow cooking these in the oven?
Great idea, Horacio but we haven’t tried that ourselves yet so we cannot answer with certainty. If you do give it a try, please use your best judgement!
285 degrees for about three hours cover with foil for the first 2.5 hrs
Damn delicious!
Not sure I could tell these from the ones we do on the bbq. Delicious!
I’m excited to try this out. If I only use 1 (2 pound) ribs what would you suggest for the cooking time?
Thanks!
What a great idea! But unfortunately, without having tried this myself, I cannot answer with certainty. But if you get a chance to try it, please let me know how it turns out! 🙂
I’m trying this on Father’s Day. My question is that I’ve checked lots of recipes and they go from 20 minutes to 45 minutes of cook time. How do I know which one to go with? I would like to get it right the first time.
With thorough recipe testing using 2 (2-pound) racks baby back pork ribs, we found that 20-25 minutes was truly best. But you can always add additional time as needed to suit your needs/preferences.
Fantastic!
Just finished cooking ribs using your recipe. Awesome taste! I had to cook a little longer but they are yummy! Thanks for your recipes!
You’re so welcome, Roy!
The recipe for the rub makes enough for a couple recipes of ribs. I keep it in the freezer for when i need it next. This recipe comes out wonderful. Thank you.
That’s a great idea, Jeannie!
Absolutely delicious! Thank you for sharing!