Instant Pot Ribs

There is no need to wait all day for ribs when you have this Instant Pot Ribs recipe! Tender, fall off the bone good, this recipe is the perfect way to have barbecue ribs on a weeknight!

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My family is a family of meat eaters. Ask them what they would want if they could choose anything for dinner, 3 of the 4 would always say steak. Anytime we are having any sort of meat, they get excited.

And they love ribs. I love ribs, as well. And I love them slow cooked on the smoker – but let’s face it. How often do I actually smoke ribs on the smoker? Not that often. Mostly because I don’t have all day to be worrying about it.

So today, I have the solution for you if you are looking to make ribs in a weeknight dinner time frame.

The Instant Pot.

Now, you can’t have ribs on the table in 15 minutes, but you can in just over an hour. Which I think is pretty amazing for ribs.

I loved this recipe. It gives you super tender, fall off the bone ribs. And the barbecue flavor is fantastic. I do have to mention, though, that they aren’t quite the same as if they were smoked on the smoker. Or even slow cooked in the oven. Those will always have my heart.

But that being said, this is a really close second. And really, it was an easy, no-fuss dinner!

How to Make a Homemade Spice Rub

I am a spice junkie, and while I’m always tempted to buy the spice mixes at the store, I’ve discovered that it’s so much better to make them at home! You can change things up easier and add spices or take other spices out. This is what I use for this barbecue rub, but feel free to customize to your tastes!

For my rub, I use:

• kosher salt
• light brown sugar
• chili powder
• paprika
• garlic powder
• pepper
• cayenne pepper

To make the rub, all you have to do is mix the spices together. You’ll use the entire amount for this recipe, but feel free to double the spices so that you can hold onto some for later. This spice rub would go really well on some barbecue chicken!

Ingredients Needed to Make these Instant Pot Ribs

Once you’ve got your spice rub, there are very few other ingredients that you’ll need.

• The spices for the spice rub (listed above)
• baby back ribs – cut these into 4 sections
• apple cider vinegar
• soy sauce
• barbecue sauce – make sure you use one that you really love!

How to Make Instant Pot Ribs

1. You’ll start by putting the rub on the ribs. I like to put the ribs on a large baking sheet, then take the rub, and using my hands, rub it into the ribs. Make sure you get both sides and that you use all of the rub. It might seem like a lot at first, but it’s perfect. Trust me.
2. Place the trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot. I’ve made this with and without using the trivet, and while both work just fine, I do think the ribs are a little better when they don’t cook while sitting in the water instead of over it.
3. Pour your water, apple cider vinegar and soy sauce into the bottom of the Instant Pot.
4. Add the ribs, standing them up on their sides, leaning towards the center like a teepee.
5. Place the lid on the slow cooker and lock it. Make sure the vent is closed.
6. Cook the ribs on high for 35 minutes.
7. When the cook time is over, naturally release the pressure for 10 minutes, then do a quick release.
8. Remove the ribs from the pot to a baking sheet lined with foil. Turn the broiler on to high.
9. Brush the tops of the ribs with 1/2 cup of the barbecue sauce.
10. Broil the ribs 4-6 inches from the heat until a crust has formed.
11. Serve the ribs with the remaining barbecue sauce.

More Instant Pot Recipes

Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef
Garlic Paprika Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
Chipotle Shredded Beef
Pressure Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Pressure Cooker Cashew Chicken

Tools Used to make These Instant Pot Ribs

Of course you need an Instant Pot! If you have another brand of pressure cooker, that should work as well.
I think a pair of tongs really helps for putting the ribs in the pressure cooker as well as taking them out.

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Instant Pot Ribs

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★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

• Author: Deborah
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 mins
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Instant Pot
• Cuisine: American

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Description

There is no need to wait all day for ribs when you have this Instant Pot Ribs recipe! Tender, fall off the bone good, this recipe is the perfect way to have barbecue ribs on a weeknight!

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Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• Dash of cayenne pepper
• 1 rack baby back ribs, about 4 lbs
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 3/4 cup barbecue sauce, divided

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Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine the salt, brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, pepper, and cayenne pepper.
2. Cut the ribs into 4 equal portions. Rub the ribs with the spice rub.
3. Place the trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Put the water, vinegar and soy sauce in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Place the ribs on top of the trivet in the Instant Pot, stacking them up in a teepee shape. You don’t want them on top of each other.
4. Lock the lid in place and make sure the vent is closed. Select manual high pressure and set the time to 35 minutes. When the time is up, naturally release the pressure for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
5. Turn the broiler on high. Line a baking sheet with foil.
6. Remove the ribs from the Instant Pot to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the ribs with 1/2 cup of the barbecue sauce.
7. Broil the ribs 4-6 inches from the heat until a crust has formed.
8. Serve with the remaining barbecue sauce.

Recipe Notes:

Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should only be used as a general guideline.

Nutrition

• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 1846 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 11 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 43 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg

Keywords: instant pot ribs