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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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!
Hi ….really looking forward to making these ribs….I bought ribs that are very meaty (think) will that change the cooking time. by the way absolutely love all your recipes that I’ve tried so far thank syou!!!
OMG I tried this recipe today and it came out perfect Thank You
Easy and so delicious! The flavor profile was really good and it was super tender and very quick to make! My family loved it! I will have to try doubling it next time…seriously so tasty! Thanks!
I would like to double the amount of ribs. Would I need to increase the cooking time?
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! 🙂
Made the instapot barbicue pork ribsttoday! They were damn delicious! Thanks!
Awesome!
My experience is that 2.5 cups liquid is about a 1.5C too much if you don’t want the ribs to be swimming in it. If at all possible, I’d let the rub be on the meat for a few hours (even overnight) if you want to taste the spices later. I marinated the ribs for about 24hrs, and used a cup of apple cider vinegar. 20 min on high pressure/QR and the meat was already pulling off the bones. Don’t get too crazy trimming fat, it’ll mostly render off and it adds flavor. Pulled the ribs out of the pot, painted with Stubbs original and put in a 425 oven for about 12 min which allowed the sauce to reduce and thicken on the ribs. Some call for using the broiler, but mine doesn’t cover that evenly.
This was the first thing I made in my Instant Pot. The ribs were perfectly cooked and absolutely delicious. I have the Instant Pot Ultra and needed a little help figuring out what buttons to press but the end result was delicious.
Awesome!
Tried the recipe, a couple weeks ago… It was delicious. Fall-off-the bone ribs and a taste that called for more. Yeah, I still cook for one, but there’s nothing wrong with left-overs.. LOL
I think the most important thing was your recipe for the ‘rub.’ Never understood how important that was, but am up to speed now… Thanks to you, I’m beginning to understand the capabilities of my ‘Instant Pot,’ and how it works alongside my desire for rice with most meals, and how to bring it together… Thanks, -pp
So happy you are enjoying your IP!
Im going to use this recipe with some Fox brothers spicy BBQ sauce for a neighborhood rib cookoff.I had to order the sauce but I have high hopes.Ill keep you posted.
This recipe is amazing, we’ve made it twice in a month and it’s a hit! 🙂
So happy to hear that!
I followed this exactly and my ribs did not fall off the bone I had to put them in the oven for 4 more hours on low and they still didn’t fall off the bone they had a good flavor but I will not be doing this again! It was a waste of time and money.
We, made these today and then finished on the grill. They were incredible!
Love that!
Just made these in an eight quart IP Duo. WOW! So tender and the flavor is fantastic. I used Sweet Baby Ray’s sweet and spicy BBQ sauce to finish them off. Another hit, keep ’em coming!
Thanks, Jeff!
Just got IP duoplus and am using this as my first recipe! I don’t see a manual mode on it …? What other setting do i use ? I LOVE you and all your recipes ! I’ve made Atleast 15 diff ones and they’re always amazing !!!
Elizabeth, you can press “PRESSURE COOK” and use the dial to select your cooking time.
thank u!!! made it last night and it was delish!
Awesome!
1/2 the amount of ribs! any adjustments?
You can halve the recipe. 🙂