These Instant Pot Ribs are the most tender and fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs, rubbed in spices and cooked in your pressure cooker. Finish them off on the grill or under the broiler for the best ribs ever!
I serve these amazing ribs with Garlic Parmesan Corn on the Cob and my Easiest Instant Pot Baked Beans for a perfect summertime dinner!
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Why This Method Works
One of the most impressive meals you can make in your pressure cooker are definitely ribs! They are fall-off-the-bone delicious, and some even say that they are better than smoked or grilled ribs!
This method makes cooking ribs faster, without sacrificing the flavor. My homemade BBQ spice rub is so easy to whisk up and most likely you already have the spices on hand. If you like, you can add ½ teaspoon of liquid smoke to the water/apple juice mixture for a right-off-the-grill flavor!
Ingredients:
- baby back ribs: you can use 1 to 2 racks and cut each into three pieces or roll them up and place them in the Instant Pot;
- water: needed to build up the pressure;
- apple cider vinegar: recommended since it helps tenderize the meat;
- apple juice (optional): adds sweet flavor;
- brown sugar: adds sweetness and caramelizes;
- spice rub: made with ground cinnamon, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper;
- liquid smoke (optional): if you want to add the smoky flavor;
- BBQ sauce: choose your favorite; I use my homemade recipe.
How to make ribs in the Instant Pot?
- Start by preparing the spice rub in a small bowl.
- Mix all the liquids in a glass cup. Pour into the IP insert.
- Trim any excess fat from the ribs, remove the membrane from the back of the rack, and cut the ribs into 3 pieces.
- Rub spice mix on the ribs and arrange them on a trivet in the Instant Pot. See my photo for visual reference.
- Close the IP, and set the timer to 25 minutes on HIGH pressure.
- Once done, let the pressure release naturally.
- Remove ribs onto an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet, brush with your favorite BBQ sauce, and broil OR throw on the grill to caramelize the sauce.
Baby back ribs vs. spare ribs
Baby Back Ribs are a favorite around here since they are the more tender cut of meat. Spare ribs are tougher and meatier. You can prepare both kinds in the Instant Pot, just make sure to add 10 more minutes of cooking time for the spare ribs. I recommend Natural Pressure Release for both kinds.
How to prepare ribs for pressure cooking?
First, you need to remove the membrane from the back of the rib rack. Simply insert a fork or knife under the membrane to loosen it up, then pull it off the whole rack. Next, prepare the dry rub and generously cover the ribs. Cut the rack into 3 pieces; it will make it easier to fit the ribs in your Instant Pot. It also makes it easier to broil or finish off on the grill.
Cooking time:
Baby back ribs require 25 minutes of cooking, plus natural pressure release (another 10 minutes). If you are cooking spare ribs, set the timer to 35 minutes plus NPR as well.
What to serve with these ribs?
Aside from lots of napkins and extra BBQ sauce, you can serve ribs with:
More Instant Pot recipes:
To learn more about the Instant Pot, check out my Guide for Beginners. If you experienced the “burn” message while using your IP, check out my Instant Pot Burn Message post to learn how to fix the issue and prevent it in the first place.
If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!
Instant Pot Ribs
Ingredients
for the ribs:
- 1 rack baby back ribs
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup apple juice
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon liquid smoke optional
spice rub:
- 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 ½ teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Prepare the ribs: remove membrane from the back of the rack (a thin film) by inserting a fork or knife underneath it and loosening up, then pull the membrane off and discard. Trim off any excess fat of the ends of the rack. Cut the ribs rack into 3 equal pieces.1 rack baby back ribs
- In a small bowl, combine all spice rub ingredients. Generously cover ribs with the spice mix and rub it in.3 tablespoons packed brown sugar, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, 2 ½ teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ¾ teaspoon black pepper, ¾ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon paprika
- Make sure the stainless steel insert is in your Instant Pot.
- Pour water, juice, vinegar and liquid smoke (if using) into the insert and stir.½ cup water, ½ cup apple juice, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
- Place trivet in the IP.
- Arrange ribs on the insert, standing up. The spice rub won't come off during cooking, no worries.
- Close the lid and set valve to sealing position (newer models do it on their own).
- Make sure the Instant Pot is set to cook on HIGH pressure. Press the "manual/pressure cook" button and set timer to 25 minutes.
- The Instant Pot will beep and start coming to pressure (that takes about 10 minutes).
- Once the timer is done, press "cancel/off" and let the IP release pressure naturally (do not switch the valve!). Set your kitchen timer to 10 minutes. Once the pressure pin is down, carefully open the lid away from your face.
- Remove ribs onto a sheet pan. Brush with your favorite BBQ sauce and broil OR throw it on the grill to caramelize the sauce. You can also skip the sauce and use leftover liquid from the IP to baste the ribs.
Notes
- The spice rub stays on the ribs during pressure cooking. Make sure to cover the ribs generously, mostly on the meaty side.
- You can use the leftover liquid to baste ribs before broiling or grilling.
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.
Sely says
Thank you!!! I appreciated your step by step instructions. I followed them to a tee and the ribs did not disappoint. The bear was fall of the bone and they were gobbled up in minutes. Ppl were surprised this was my first time ever making ribs! Thanks again. Will use this recipe again n again.
Anna says
Hi Sely! That's absolutely fantastic! Thank you so much for trying my recipe!
Loreen says
I have been afraid to do ribs in the instant pot. I was afraid of 'steaming' meat and having it come out disgusting. (Despite all the rave reviews about it). I have done only casserole-type dishes in the Instant Pot). ALL OF THAT HAS CHANGED BECAUSE OF THIS RECIPE!!! This was a GIANT hit for our family of 4. We never agree on ANY dinner (one or the other of my boys doesn't like it) but this was a winner for everybody 😀 Thank you so much for sharing. I used Stubbs Sticky Sweet BBQ sauce, which is a favorite in our house. Thank you!
Courtney says
If you do two racks, should you adjust the cook time?
Loreen says
I did two racks last night, 26 minutes... So it was about 3.8 pounds total. They were perfect!
robert says
I made these tonight wow they were fantastic, fall off the bone yummy. this was the 2nd one of your recipes that I have fallowed, both have gotten raves from the family, thanks
Anna says
Hi Robert! I am thrilled that the ribs were a hit! Thank you so much for trying my recipes!
Andrew says
Can you cook multiple racks by stacking them? Or do you need to do it in sequence?
Anna says
Hi Andrew! I never tried more than one but I think that if they fit, they should cook just fine. Hope this helps!
Debra says
What do I do if I don’t have apple juice. What liquid do I up?
Anna says
Hi Debra! You can use chicken stock or just water. I hope this helps!
Debra says
Thanks, it does. I just don’t use apple juice much, so I find it goes bad before I use it. Could I freeze it
Anna says
Great! I think freezing apple juice works just fine. You can keep it in your freezer for 4 to 6 months. 😀
Emily says
This is definitely the next recipe I'm making in my Instant Pot. We love ribs and these look extra tender and delish!
Anna says
Thanks, Emily!
Echo says
These ribs were great! They were so convenient and delicious!
Anna says
Thank you so much!
Sara Welch says
What a savory looking meal! I know what I will be making for dinner tomorrow! Looks amazing!
Kristyn says
Those ribs look so mouthwatering! I wish I had some right now! Love how quick they are to make!
Sarah Skaggs says
Wow these are good, and so easy!! Love it!
Anna says
Thank you, Sarah!