Instant Pot Ribs Recipe – the EASIEST way to make ribs EVER! Fall-off-the-bone ribs ready in a fraction of the time!
Instant Pot Ribs Recipe
You guys know I am a huge fan of smoked meats (I mean, check out these recipes for Smoked Pork Shoulder and Smoked Baby Back Ribs), BUUUUT sometimes you don’t have all day to mess around with a smoker. Believe me, I totally get it!
This recipe combines the tenderness that you will get from cooking meat in an Instant Pot® (here is the one I use – I LOVE it!), but then I recommend you finish them on the grill (for about 6 minutes total) so the BBQ sauce gets nice and caramelized! Its like the best of both worlds! (but I also included instructions on finishing it off in the oven too!)
Can you cook frozen ribs in the Instant Pot®
Yes! You will simply need to increase the cooking time by 10 minutes (more if they are bigger than normal). But definitely make sure they are fully prepped before you freeze them (already cut in half and already have the rub on them – once they are frozen the rub won’t stick to them!)
How to remove the membrane from a rack of ribs
A lot of pre-packaged ribs already have the membrane removed, but if you bought your ribs straight from a butcher, it might be there (but you can always ask them before you buy it and if it is still there, ask them to remove it for you!). The membrane is the thin layer on the back of the ribs that is white(ish) in color. Simply take the tip of your knife and lift of the corner and slowly pull it off! Easy!
Other Ways to Cook Ribs
Step-by-Step Tutorial (with photos) on how to make this Instant Pot Rib Recipe!
Prep your ribs: remove any membrane skin (most are already removed) and cut whole racks into half racks.
Rub down your ribs with liquid smoke, yellow mustard and then the dry rub.
Add liquid to Instant Pot® along with your trivet and then add your ribs.
Cover and cook on High Pressure for 24 minutes; natural release for 5 minutes or so and then manual release.
Brush with BBQ sauce and then finish on grill (or in oven).
Other recipes you might like:
- Smoked Pork Shoulder
- Smoked Baby Back Ribs
- How to Grill Chicken Breasts (so they turn out juicy every time!)
- Oven Baked Ribs
Made this recipe and loved it?! We would love it if you would take a minute and leave a star rating and review – it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!
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More Side Dishes – check out or round-up of 25+ Side Dishes for Ribs!!
PrintInstant Pot Rib Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 24 minutes
- Total Time: 44 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Entree
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Description
Instant Pot Rib Recipe – the EASIEST way to make ribs EVER! Fall-off-the-bone ribs ready in a fraction of the time!
Ingredients
- (2) full rack of baby back ribs (I love Butcher Box ribs!!)
- liquid smoke
- yellow mustard
- Homemade Dry Rub
- 1 cup chicken broth (water will work if you don’t have any)
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- your favorite BBQ Sauce (I recommend this kind which is Whole30/Paleo)
Instructions
- Combine all of your dry rub ingredients in a small bowl.
- Cut your ribs in half and if the ribs have a membrane, remove it.
- Place the ribs on a cookie sheet.
- Pour a little liquid smoke, one half section of ribs at a time, and rub all over to thinly coat.
- Repeat with the mustard (use enough to leave a good coating on the ribs).
- Take your dry rub and rub all over each section.
- Add the broth and apple cider vinegar to the Instant Pot.
- Place your trivet inside.
- Set ribs on top of the trivet so the ribs are vertical.
- Close Instant Pot and ensure it is set to Sealing.
- Cook on High Pressure for 24 minutes (add 2-3 minutes if your ribs are bigger than normal).
- Let Instant Pot naturally release for 5 minutes and then manually release according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Remove ribs from Instant Pot and place on a cookie sheet, meat side up.
- Brush with your favorite BBQ sauce to coat.
- Place on a 300 degree grill for 3 minutes a side or under your broiler (set to High) for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Spare Ribs: You can actually use spare ribs if you want; they aren’t as good (in my opinion), but they definitely still work. Spare ribs tend to be bigger than baby back ribs, so I would suggest increasing your cooking time by 3 minutes.
- Finish in Oven: You can also finish off in the oven – once ribs come out of the Instant Pot simply place them on a cookie sheet, brush with your favorite BBQ sauce and then broil on high for 4-5 minutes – or until sauce as started to just barely caramelize.
- Frozen: You can cook ribs from frozen, just ensure they are fully prepped beforehand (rub with liquid smoke, mustard and dry rub + cut into half racks) and then cook for an additional 10 minutes.
Keywords: instant pot rib recipe
Trev says
These are amazing!
★★★★★
Erin says
Yay!! Glad you like them!!