My Instant Pot Ribs recipe is the easiest way to achieve tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone ribs. Whether you’re using baby back ribs or pork loin ribs, pressure cooking tenderizes the meat in a fraction of the time so you can enjoy homemade ribs even on busy weeknights.
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Cooking ribs in the instant pot is crazy fast! For reference, my Smoked Ribs take about 7 hours from start to finish and Baked BBQ Ribs take more than 2 1/2 hours, cooked low and slow in the oven. This recipe requires no marinating time and is done in around 45 minutes in the pressure cooker. P.S. You can even use frozen pork ribs!
Instant Pot Ribs Video Tutorial
It’s so easy to get finger-licking good Instant Pot Ribs any night of the week. I’ll show you how quickly the instant pot tenderizes the meat, and then she finishes the meat with a caramelized crust.
Easy Instant Pot Ribs Recipe
We love ribs–no matter what way they are cooked. They are the ultimate comfort food for my family paired with Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, and Baked Mac and Cheese–YUM. In this version, the instant pot makes the magic happen – amazingly fast with excellent results, only using a few ingredients, and without babysitting the meat as it cooks. Can you imagine a more perfect recipe?
Ingredients for Instant Pot Ribs
The ingredients here are simple. If you’re feeling adventurous, add half a teaspoon of liquid smoke to add that smoked element to your Instant Pot Ribs.
- 3lbs Ribs – baby back ribs or pork loin ribs will work here. I have a 6qt Instant Pot, so this amount fits perfectly. You may be able to fit more, especially if you have a larger pot.
- Apple juice – we use 6 cups to halfway submerge the ribs while cooking. If you don’t have apple juice, swap with apple cider, orange juice, pineapple juice, or even water for less sweetness.
- Apple cider vinegar – this helps to tenderize the meat and adds a tangy flavor
- Seasoning salt – more tenderizing, but also adds so much flavor
- BBQ Dry Rub – Here’s one of our favorite Dry Rubs, but you can also use the spice rub from our Smoked Ribs recipe. If you’re gluten-free, check the labels of your seasonings and BBQ sauce to ensure they are GF.
- Sweet BBQ Sauce – See our favorites linked below.
Tips for Doubling the Recipe
If you want to cook more ribs in the Instant Pot at once, readers have reported having luck coiling a second rack of ribs inside the pot (or using a larger pot). Be sure to increase the BBQ sauce. If you add more liquid, don’t pass the fill line. You may need to increase the cooking time depending on how many ribs you add.
What is the Best BBQ Sauce for Ribs?
We love sweet BBQ sauce for Instant Pot Ribs because it caramelizes on the ribs in the final step of the recipe. You can make our favorite Homemade BBQ sauce or use storebought such as Stubbs (Sweet and Sticky) or Sweet Baby Rays. I’d love to hear any BBQ sauce recommendations in a comment below.
How to Prepare Baby Back Ribs for Cooking
Baby Back Ribs and Pork Loin ribs typically already have the silver skin on the meat side trimmed and the membrane on the bony side removed.
To Remove the Membrane from Ribs: If they are present, use a small knife to loosen it at the corner and a paper towel to help grip and pull it off of the ribs. You want to remove that so the flavors can penetrate the ribs.
How to Make Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs:
The process of making instant pot ribs is truly easy. Once the meat is cooked, we finish it off in the oven or on the grill for that caramelized crust.
- Rub the ribs with seasoning salt and BBQ Dry Rub.
- Combine apple juice, vinegar, 1/3 cup BBQ sauce, and liquid smoke (if using) in the instant pot.
- Coil the ribs inside the pot, cover, and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release.
- Remove the ribs to a rimmed cookie sheet with a rack on top. Brush with BBQ sauce, and then broil or grill for 5 minutes (scroll down for directions). Lip-smacking good in under 1 hour!
How to Caramelize and Finish the Ribs
This next step is optional (and takes less than 5 minutes), but I love to finish the ribs under high heat, which gives them a delicious caramelized crust. Here’s how to finish the Instant Pot Ribs:
- On the Grill – Preheat the grill to 350-400˚F. Place the BBQ sauce-smothered ribs directly on the preheated grill, cover, and grill for 5 minutes.
- In Air Fryer – Cut rack in half, smother with BBQ sauce as usual, and place both halves side by side in the air fryer basket for 4 min on high.
- In the Oven – Broil for 3-4 minutes or until the BBQ sauce bubbles – Be careful with this method, the sugar in the sauce can easily burn if left even 1 minute too long.
What to Serve with Instant Pot Ribs
These saucy BBQ ribs in the instant pot are perfect with just about any side dish. Some of our favorites include:
Make-Ahead
If you have any leftovers, cooked ribs keep well and can be reheated on the bone.
- To Refrigerate: once cooled, cover in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Freezing: cool and wrap in plastic wrap and foil and then store in a freezer ziptop bag for up to 3 months.
- To Reheat: Thaw in the fridge overnight. Then brush the ribs with more BBQ sauce, wrap in foil, and reheat in a 250°F oven for half an hour. Then remove foil and follow the directions above for finishing the ribs.
Can I Use Frozen Ribs in the Instant Pot?
Frozen ribs can be used following the same recipe. Before freezing the ribs, cut them into thirds (so they fit into the instant pot later since they won’t be able to coil) and add the dry rub before freezing. Dry rub won’t adhere if you try to put it over frozen ribs.
This Instant Pot Ribs Recipe really is the fastest and easiest way to make mouthwatering ribs. It’s easy enough for a weeknight meal but tastes like they’ve been cooked for hours. Instant Pot Win!
More Instant Pot Dinner Recipes
These easy dinner ideas are perfect for busy weeknights:
- Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
- Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
- Mac and Cheese in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
Instant Pot Ribs
Ingredients
- 3 lb baby back ribs , or pork loin ribs*
- 6 cups apple juice
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, or apple cider
- ½ tsp liquid smoke, optional
- 1 tbsp seasoning salt, (Johnny's or Lawry's)
- 2 Tbsp BBQ dry rub
- 2/3 cup BBQ sauce, Use a sweet BBQ sauce, or homemade, divided
Instructions
- Pat dry the rack of ribs with a paper towel and rub on your dry ingredients on both sides.
- In the Instant Pot, combine apple juice, vinegar, liquid smoke and 1/3 cup of bbq sauce.
- Coil the rack of ribs inside the with the bone-side facing the center. Ribs should all be partially submerged. Cook on high pressure for 25 min followed by a 10 min natural pressure release before manually releasing remaining pressure.
- Using two sets of tongs, carefully transfer ribs to a rimmed baking sheet lined with a wire rack with the meat side up. Brush the top and sides with the remaining 1/3 cup BBQ sauce. Broil in the center of the oven on high for 4-5 min*. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 min before serving. Serve with more BBQ sauce if desired.
Notes
- On the Grill: Preheat the grill to 350-400˚F. Place ribs directly on preheated grill, cover, and grill 5 min.
- In the Air Fryer: Cut rack in half and place both halves side by side in the air fryer basket for 4 min on high.
- In the Oven: Place pan under the broiler for 3-5 minutes or until the BBQ sauce just begins to bubble. Be sure to watch closely since the sugar in the sauce can burn quickly under the broiler.
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
I made these two nights ago, on a Thursday. I couldn’t believe how good they were, and how little work was involved. Don’t expect a grilled or smoked rib here, BUT, the meat is fall off the bone tender, and the extra broiler step is not to be missed. It gives the ribs that wonderful sticky sauce that our family loves. Cook time is spot on, and as long as you have a good rub and your favorite BBQ sauce, you will not be disappointed! I already have plans to try this method with an Asian style glaze. Thank you, Natasha, for yet another amazing, quick, week night dinner that all three of my boys devoured. We truly appreciate all your hard work on these recipes, and for sharing them with the world.
Tara, thank you so much for the review. It makes me happy to know you’re enjoying the recipes.
Natasha, this is the only insatpot recipe I use. It’s easy and the ribs always taste great!
Is there anything I can use the juices for after I cook the ribs? I don’t wanna waste it if it’s good for something.
Hi Deb! You may look up some ideas online, I’m sorry, I don’t have any suggestions at the moment.
Don’t have apple cider vinegar can I just omit it
Don’t have an instant pot, but love this recipe. Can you tell me approximate oven temp & time? I have to make this!
Hi Patricia! You can reference my Baked BBQ ribs recipe.
How do you make the ribs without an insta pot.
Hi Elizabeth! You can finish the ribs on the grill or air fryer (see instructions in the post).
I don’t have an instant pot. Is there a method for using a slow cooker?
Hi Donald! I don’t have a tutorial for that yet. Please reference my Baked BBQ ribsrecipe for making them in the oven.
This recipe is amazing. I’ve made it 2 or 3 times so far. Love it.
I just made this recipe today. It’s coming out of Insta pot in about five minutes. The smell is divine during the natural release, present time went for the sweet baby back in my other Insta pot. I have a whole chicken that’s for soup.
If I use a smaller amount of ribs (perhaps 1 lb) would the cook time reduce and if so, any suggestion on the time to use?
Hello! Yes the cooking time will slightly be reduced if you used a smaller amount of ribs. You can pressure cook for 20-25 minutes, 10-15 minute natural release. Hope you enjoy it!
We are big fans of Natasha’s Kitchen, and as always, this recipe for Instant Pot ribs turned out absolutely fantastic! We’ve been making these ribs for several years now, and they always come out tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Natasha’s recipes are so reliable, and we trust them every time. This site is a true gem, and we’re grateful for all the delicious meals it has brought to our table. Thank you, Natasha, for making cooking so much easier and more enjoyable!
HI, I am so very happy to hear that you love the instant pot ribs recipe!
This is always my go to recipe. I’ve been making for several years now. The ribs always turns out great!
Thanx
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Mariya!
Hands down the best and easiest way to make ribs if you don’t own a smoker. This is the only way we make them now and we’ve passed this recipe on to several family members and friends and they all agree. It’s so easy we make this on weeknights.
Oups, I forgot to say that we also had your “cherry crumble” for desert always a hit this cherry crumble. Thanks again Natasha!!!
Hi Natasha! When I saw that you had a recipe for ribs in the “Instant Pot”, I was super ready to try it since all the rib recipes I ever tried had a lot of preparation and when they were “fall off the bone” they were always dry! I took the ingredients that we have here in Québec and made the recipe exactly as you proposed. They were exactly as you said: “the easiest way to achieve tender, juicy ribs”!!! And thanks to you Natasha, husband and I had a super dinner last night! :-))))))
Wow! That’s so great! I’m so glad this was a hit with you all! It sounds like you found a new favorite recipe!
This recipe is the best and easiest. The only way I do ribs now!
So glad you’re loving it, Karen!
This recipe worked very well for me!
Thank you!