These tender, fall-off-the-bone Instant Pot ribs deliver restaurant-quality results in just over an hour. Perfectly balanced between savory and sweet, this foolproof recipe transforms tough meat into succulent, flavorful perfection.
Whether you’re hosting a weekend barbecue or craving comfort food on a busy weeknight, these pressure cooker ribs offer an effortless solution without compromising on taste. With just 10 minutes of prep time, you’ll achieve that mouthwatering, slow-cooked flavor that typically takes hours.
Ingredients for Perfect Instant Pot Ribs
- Pork Ribs: 1-2 racks, membrane removed for tenderness
- Dry Rub Mix: Blend of 1 tsp each of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, onion powder, and light brown sugar
- Cooking Liquid: 1 cup water and ½ cup apple juice (or ¼ cup apple cider vinegar)
- Flavor Enhancer: 1 tsp liquid smoke (optional but recommended)
- Finishing Sauce: 1 cup of your favorite barbecue sauce
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the Ribs: Carefully remove the membrane from the back of the ribs for better flavor absorption
- Season: Generously coat both sides with the prepared dry rub mixture
- Prepare the Pot: Position the wire trivet in your Instant Pot’s bottom
- Add Liquids: Pour in water, apple juice, and liquid smoke for that authentic smoky flavor
- Position Ribs: Stand ribs upright with meat facing outward, creating a circle for larger racks
- Pressure Cook: Seal lid, set to high pressure for 25 minutes
- Release Pressure: Allow natural release for 15 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure
- Final Touch: Transfer to foil-lined sheet, brush with BBQ sauce
- Optional Finish: Broil 2-3 minutes until sauce caramelizes beautifully
Cooking Techniques
Want that perfect tenderness and amazing smoky flavor? The magic happens when you remove those tough membranes from the back of the ribs – just grab a corner with a paper towel and pull it right off!
The liquid smoke adds that wonderful outdoor BBQ taste, even though you’re cooking indoors. And don’t skip that final broiling step – it creates a beautiful sticky glaze that makes these ribs absolutely irresistible!
Variations & Substitutions
Love to mix things up? You can swap the seasoning blend to match your taste! Try adding paprika for extra color, or cayenne pepper for some heat. No apple juice? Plain water works fine, or use beer for a deeper flavor.
For the BBQ sauce, try mixing sweet and spicy varieties, or use a mustard-based sauce for a tangy twist. And if you’re avoiding sugar, skip the brown sugar in the rub – the BBQ sauce will add plenty of sweetness.
Storage Tips
Made too many ribs? Lucky you! These beauties stay tasty in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For best results, store them without the extra BBQ sauce – you can add that when you reheat them.
Want to save them longer? Cut them into portions, wrap well in foil, pop them in a freezer bag, and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm them up in the oven with a fresh coat of BBQ sauce.
Serving Suggestions
These ribs shine as the star of any meal! Pair them with classic sides like coleslaw, cornbread, or potato salad for a real BBQ feast. Want something lighter? A crisp green salad or roasted vegetables balance out the rich meat perfectly. Don’t forget extra napkins and some warm, wet towels for sticky fingers – these ribs are happily messy to eat!
Instant Pot Ribs
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Wire Trivet Rack
- Foil-lined Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 1-2 racks pork ribs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup apple juice or ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke optional
- 1 cup barbecue sauce homemade or store-bought
Instructions
- Remove membranes from the back of ribs, if needed.
- Rubs seasonings over both sides of ribs.
- Place wire trivet rack in the bottom of the instant pot.
- Add water, apple juice (or apple cider vinegar) and liquid smoke (optional, but recommended for that great smokey flavor).
- Place the ribs upright, with the meat side facing out. If you’re using one large rack of ribs, then circle them around the pot.
- Secure lid and close vent.
- Press “manual” or “pressure cook” and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes.
- When the timer beeps, allow the pressure to naturally release for 15 min, then turn the valve to quick release.
- Carefully remove ribs to a large, foil-lined baking sheet and slather them in BBQ sauce.
- Optional: broil them in the oven for 2-3 minutes to caramelize the bbq sauce.
