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
Hey I just made this and it was amazing thank you for a great recipe!
Do you think I can reuse the liquid to make one more rib? I have more baby back ribs right now but don’t have any more extra apple juice to start over.
Hi Olga, I honestly have not tested that to advise. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.
Can I broil it in the conventional oven? If so for how many minutes?
Hi Aleksandr, I haven’t tested that advise. If you experiment, please let me know how you like that.
What ingredients are in the dry rub for the InstantbPotbspare Ribs?
Hi Heather, I would recommend following the recipe link for the ingredients.
How long do I cook these if I used a slow cooker? I love your recipes, I have already tried a bunch of them for dinner
Hi Therese, I haven’t tested that to advise on time, but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
I don’t have an instant pot, would a slow cooker, work? I know it would take longer, but would the results be similar?
I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe, Elizabeth!
Do you think beef ribs would work?
Can I use St. Louis style ribs for this recipe?
Hi Joann, I imagine that should work.
A frozen whole rack of ribs won’t fit in the IP, so unwrap, cut into thirds before freezing.
Great recipe! It seemed though that it called for an excessive amount of liquid. What is the reason for that?
Hi Kathy, the liquid proportions are correct – it’s just a different method. We prefer this method and always get great results. The apple juice and cider vinegar tenderize and add great flavor.
What can you use instead of apple juice? Would broth work?
Hi Melissa, I imagine that should work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
Hi Natasha, how about a great curry recipe please please!!
Thank you for that suggestion, Jen!
What if I want to make double portion. Can I wrap 2 at same time ?
HI Tammy, I haven’t tested with 2 racks. I think that should work fine but you will need less liquid or it may go above the max fill level with two racks displacing the liquid. It would work better in a larger instant pot.
Hello Natasha!! I love ribs!! This looks fantastic! I looked at the ingredients and I clicked on the dry rub link but it leads me to three bbq sauce for some reason. Could you tell me what exactly is in the dry rub?
Thank you!!
Thank you so much for pointing that out. Sorry about that. I have fixed the link. Here is the dry rub that we used.
I found this rib rub at my local Fred Meyer for $4.99
Natasha, where do you buy your ribs? Thank you!
Hi Missy, most often we buy them from our local grocery store or Costco.
Hi Natasha! Can this be done but with country style ribs?
Hi Marina, I haven’t tested this method with country style ribs, but it should work fine. I’m seeing several recipes that call for a longer cook time though when making country style instant pot ribs: cook on high pressure, for 45 min, followed by a 15-20 min natural pressure release before releasing remaining pressure. Country style ribs are bigger, meatier and fattier so they would need more time. If you test that out, please let me know how it goes!
I bought an Instant Pot just for this recipe. It was delicious!! Will definitely be making this again. Such a simple meal.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
These were so easy to make with your recipe, and they came out so tender! I am stoked I can make these myself now.
I’m so glad you enjoyed that, Emma! Thank you for that awesome review!
How much liquid smoke would you add? Can’t wait to try looks delicious!!!!
Hi Diane, I would add 1/2 tsp (I listed it in the recipe card towards the bottom as optional).
Hi Natasha, is there anything I can use instead of the apple juice?
Hi Alina, I haven’t tried a substitute to advise, the apple juice and cider vinegar tenderize and add great flavor.
Thank you so much for your Instant Pot recipes. Please do more? How about a dessert?
That’s a great idea! Thank you for that suggestion, Audrey!
This is absolutely finger-licking delicious and the sauce is spot on!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review, Kimberly!
I love this recipe! Being able to cook the delicious ribs in the Instant Pot is so easy!
Isn’t that the best! Who knew that was possible! Thank you for that awesome review.
You’ll definitely be game day ready with these for your guests! Wow!! They look fantastic!!
Thank you so much Demeter!
These ribs are absolutely delicious! I just love how easy they are to make in the instant pot and just how flavorful they are! Thanks for an awesome recipe!
I’m so happy you loved the ribs! That’s quite a compliment coming from you!
Hi Natasha, I’m Whitney from Hong Kong. May I know the size of the Instant Pot that you are using? Thank you!
Hi Whitney, we used this 6qt Instant Pot.
Wow! I can’t believe how easy and fast this is to make! Instant Pots are amazing. These ribs are so tender and flavorful, I can’t believe it took less than an hour to achieve this!
Aren’t they the best! So perfect for a quick dinner that is also “fancy”!
What the IP time for frozen Baby back Ribs or pork loin.
Hi Wayne, thanks for asking! I added a section to the post titled “Can I use Frozen Ribs?” Also, we currently don’t have a pork loin recipe for the instant pot, but if I come up with something great, I’ll be sure to share it.