Instant Pot BBQ Ribs

Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs — The Instant Pot is a great kitchen tool to make cooking more accessible and efficient. It has many functions, including pressure cooking, yogurt making, steaming vegetables, sautéing or browning food before cooking it in the pot, warming up leftovers, and melting chocolate.

The possibilities of what you can do with an Instant Pot are endless; here’s one example of how versatile this appliance is: these baby back ribs were made in under an hour!

Nothing is better than a large stack of Instant Pot BBQ Baby Back Ribs for dinner. They are a great, tasty, and easy way to end a day!

The easiest and fastest way to make BBQ ribs is in your Instant Pot. And what is better is they are probably one of the most tender ways to cook your ribs.

To make the most delectable ribs, you need a pressure cooker. The results are fall-off-the-bone perfection and take less time than cooking on an open flame!

And the recipe is so, so easy! So, if you are looking for some great, Easy and Delicious Instant Pot Recipes, some of my other favorites are INSTANT POT HOT DOGS, INSTANT POT SALSA CHICKEN, INSTANT POT BEEF STEW, and INSTANT POT PUMPKIN BUTTER.

Why Make Ribs In The Instant Pot?

I used to cook a rack of ribs for hours on end. Homemade ribs used to be a time-consuming process that could take up to five hours.

If you have been looking for an easy rib recipe, this is one of the best; it’s easy, and they are delicious!

You won’t believe how easy it is to make fall-off bone-tender ribs in just an hour with your Instant Pot’s help and serve them with your favorite BBQ sauce. Trust me, you will be hooked once you try these beef ribs cooked using an Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi!

They are so good; who doesn’t love bone-tender ribs?

Ingredients Needed For Instant Pot BBQ Baby Back Ribs

With a few ingredients, you can have these fall-of-the-bone ribs, and it’s an easy recipe for cooking racks of baby back ribs in a fraction of the time. Today, we are making easy instant pot ribs.

Remember the step-by-step directions are below in the printable recipe card.

• Baby Back Pork Ribs: You can use baby back ribs or another type of pork ribs, including country ribs, short ribs, bone ribs, or even spare ribs.
• Brown Sugar: This helps tenderize the meat and makes it tender.
• Seasonings: Salt, Garlic Powder, Paprika, Liquid Smoke, Chili Powder, and Black Pepper
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Tenderizes the meat (you can also use apple juice)
• Water: Needed to bring the Instant Pot to Pressure.

How To Make Instant Pot BBQ Baby Back Ribs

This is just an overview; the full recipe and directions are below, 

Use a paper towel and peel the membrane off the back of the ribs, also known as the connective tissue. Mix all of your dry ingredients in a small bowl to make your rub. Massage the dry ingredients to the top layer of your ribs

Pour water and apple cider mixture into the bottom of the instant pot. Place the trivet inside. Place your ribs on the top of the trivet. Close the lid on your instant pot and close the sealing valve. So your instant pot to high pressure, and the cook time for 20 minutes.

Once your instant pot is done cooking, allow it to release for 15 minutes naturally. After 15 minutes, manually released by opening the pressure release and releasing the remaining pressure by a quick release.

Remove your ribs to a baking sheet or wire rack. Add your desired amount of barbecue sauce to the top of the ribs over the rub. Broil in the oven for about five minutes or until your barbecue sauce is bubbly.

Allow the ribs to cool for a couple more minutes, cut them into sections, and enjoy! You can top it with your favorite barbecue sauce if you like.

Pro Tips For Cooking BBQ Ribs In Instant Pot

Here are some pro tips for cooking BBQ ribs in an Instant Pot to ensure they turn out tender and flavorful:

• Remove the Membrane: Before seasoning your ribs, remove the membrane from the back of the rack. This allows the flavors to penetrate and makes for a more tender bite.
• Season Generously: Don’t skimp on the seasoning. Ribs benefit from a generous amount of dry rub or marinade. You can use a store-bought BBQ rub or make your own with spices, herbs, sugar, and salt.
• Let Them Rest: After applying the seasoning, let the ribs sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. This step enhances the taste and tenderness.
• Use the Instant Pot Rack: Place the Instant Pot rack or a trivet inside the pot before adding the ribs. Elevating the ribs prevents them from sitting in their juices, which can result in steaming rather than proper cooking.
• Add Liquid for Steam: To ensure enough steam to pressure cook the ribs, add a cup of liquid to the Instant Pot. Water, broth, apple juice, or beer can be used for added flavor.
• Use the Pressure Cook Setting: Cook the ribs on the pressure cook setting for around 25-30 minutes. This time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the ribs and your desired tenderness.
• Natural Release vs. Quick Release: Consider using the natural release method for a few minutes to let the pressure subside gradually. This can help keep the meat tender. Then, you can do a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
• Finish on the Grill or Under Broiler: While the Instant Pot will cook the ribs thoroughly, they may lack that grilled or charred finish. Finish the ribs on a hot grill or under the broiler for a few minutes on each side, basting with BBQ sauce for that authentic BBQ taste and texture. Add them to the oven at 450 F oven for a cooking time of 5-8 minutes.
• Baste with Sauce: After removing the ribs from the Instant Pot, generously brush them with your extra barbecue sauce. The residual heat will help the sauce adhere, and you can always add more during the grilling or broiling step.
• Rest Before Cutting: Allow the ribs to rest for a few minutes after grilling or broiling. This helps redistribute juices, making the ribs juicier when you slice them.

You can achieve mouthwatering BBQ ribs by following these pro tips using Instant Pot. These will be the best ribs that you ever had.

How To Store Leftover Ribs​

Storing leftover ribs properly is essential to maintain their flavor and safety. Here’s how to store leftover ribs:

1. Cool Them Down: After enjoying your ribs, allow any leftovers to cool down to room temperature for 1-2 hours. It’s important not to leave them at room temperature for too long to prevent bacteria growth.
2. Wrap or Container: Once the ribs have cooled, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Alternatively, you can place them in an airtight container. The goal is to minimize exposure to air, which can lead to drying out.
3. Refrigeration: Store the wrapped or containerized ribs in the refrigerator. Make sure your refrigerator is set to 40°F (4°C) or lower to keep the ribs safe. Properly stored, they can stay in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
4. Freezing (Optional): If you don’t plan to consume the leftover ribs within a few days, consider freezing them for longer storage. Wrap the ribs in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, place them in an airtight container, or use a freezer-safe bag. Label the container with the date for reference. Frozen ribs can last for 2-3 months.
5. Thawing: When you’re ready to enjoy the leftover ribs, transfer them from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow them to thaw slowly. This can take several hours or overnight, depending on the thickness of the ribs. Avoid thawing at room temperature to prevent bacteria growth.
6. Reheat Safely: To reheat the ribs, you can use methods like the oven, grill, or microwave. When using the oven or grill, consider brushing them with BBQ sauce to keep them moist. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are safe to eat.
7. Enjoy: Once reheated, your leftover ribs are ready to be enjoyed again. Serve them with your favorite sides or condiments for a delicious meal.

Always use your best judgment when assessing the quality and safety of leftover ribs. If they appear or smell off, it’s safer to discard them rather than risk foodborne illness. Proper storage and reheating techniques can help maintain the flavor and texture of your leftover ribs for a tasty meal the second time.

How to Season Pressure Cooker Ribs

You can’t go wrong with a great batch of seasoned ribs —one of my favorite ways to pressure cook, slow cooker, grill, or even air fry ribs. Using a dry rub brings out the flavor of the meat without overpowering it.

I always brush on store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce for even more flavor!

How to Get Some Crispy Bits on Your Ribs

We all know ribs are delicious, but what if you could make them even better? What if you could get some crispy bits on your ribs? Some of the best-tasting bites come from the edges.

After pressure cook your ribs, please place them in the oven and broil for about 5 minutes. This will give you the same flavor as slow-roasting your ribs in about a tenth of the time.

You can use any rub for these ribs, but I recommend using a BBQ sauce-based rub since it is easily accessible at most grocery stores.

Serving Ideas

The delicious instant pot BBQ ribs are all you need to complete any meal. I like serving them with extra sauce and classic side dishes, such as:

• INSTANT POT POTATO SALAD
• AIR FRYER ROSEMARY ROASTED POTATOES
• LOADED NINJA FOODI POTATOES
• AIR FRYER MEXICAN STREET CORN ON THE COB

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