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
Made this recipe and they turned out tender but seemed a bit dry. I am assuming it may have been the ribs I bought but not sure. I want to try again.
All the recipes I have made have been great. Thanks!!
That could be it, Stacey. So far the comments didn’t mention the ribs being a bit dry but let us know how it goes the next time you make it again. I hope it becomes better!
I used the link for your dry rub and it just goes to Amazon…. there are 2 dry rubs there but they are $49.00 for a 2 pkg. Could I just get the name of the dry rub please . Thanks so much.
Hi Paulette, we buy that one on Amazon HERE. The of the dry ryb is: Twist’d Q – Sweet Heat Rub – American Royal – Lotta Bull BBQ It is about $8.95 per package. There are 3 different flavors we use the Sweet Heat Rub.
Hi Natasha, what size of Instant Pot did you use in your recipe? 6QT or 8 QT?
Thank you
Hello Victoria. This is the pot that I used.
6QT. Got it . Thank you
Hi Natasha. Would the cooking time be the same for a smaller rack of ribs?
I think that should work fine at the same amount of time. I don’t see why not. I hope you love the ribs.
Hi …loving your dishes …there’s only 1 recipe I wanna know & been trying to get the best thats good …what is ur recipe for “dry rub” for ribs ?? Pls help & thanks
Hi Evie, we use this dry rub (listed in the recipe) HERE. I hope that helps.
In the IP rib recipe you mentioned dry rub. I don’t see your recipe for the dry rib rub. Can you share it please?
Hi Gail, we have it listed in the recipe or you can find the link HERE. I hope that helps.
Ribs are amazing! So tender and juicy. Taste Great!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Eddie!
So I’m planning on making this tonight and I did plan on using country style ribs (I saw the comment on the time adjustment) I was wondering however wh as t I should do if I don’t have a broiler. Can I set the oven to what you have as the grill temp/time and put it on a lined cookie sheet?
Hi Kelli, I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.
So I found this grill mat thing (really not sure what to call it) that came in a bbq set I got my boyfriend. I positioned it over top a foil lined cookie sheet and set the oven to 375° and popped it in the oven for 5 minutes and they came out beautifully
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing that with me, Kelli!
I made these ribs tonight and they were great!!…Thank you so much for your videos…I am new to the Instant Pot, and a little intimidated by it…lol…but your recipes and videos are so easy to follow. Thank you so much for that. Anything that I want to make in the Instant Pot, I check here first. Not only do you make it easy to follow, but every single recipe is delicious. Thank you for making me look good at the dinner table!!
I’m so glad to hear we’re you’re go-to for instant pot recipes! That’s so awesome! I’m smiling big reading this comment.
Hi do you use high broil temperature or low broil temperature. Thanks
Hi Dawn, I broil on high.
Loved the ribs, and so did my husband. Easy to cook and flavorful.
Thank you for that wonderful review, April! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Thank you Natasha!!
I used your recipe tonight with a few changes. I did two racks. I added 10 minutes to the cooking time and 3 minutes to NPR and broiled for 6 minutes after slathering with Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey Barbecue sauce.
Five stars from the guests!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Tasha! Thank you for the wonderful review!
What size instant pot do you make your ribs in?
Hi Dayna, we use this 6 Qt instant pot.
Natasha, would there be a difference if using a 4qt pot? BTW love watching ur videos, very fun.
Hi Jon, I have note tested that in a 4qt. I worry the ribs will not fit. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.
I am going to make these next week, but I have a 7 lb rack of St Louis style pork spare ribs. How long should I pressure cook them? And should I double the amount of rub I use? I was going to use the single recipe amount of liquid. Thanks, Natasha!!
Hi Sandi, if double the ribs, I would double the rub. If using a larger instant pot, I would keep the liquid amount the same. Spare ribs are thicker and fattier and could take a little more time, probably closer to 30 minutes on high pressure before the 10-minute natural release.
Looks delicious, we will definitely have to try. I was wondering what kind of baking sheet do you use? All the ones I ever purchase bend.
Hi Jennifer, you can find some of our favorites in our blog Shop here.
Made these ribs tonight and like always delicious. Every recipe I have tried of yours is absolutely delicious. I have been searching for a recipe book from you with strictly instant pot recipes. I dont care to try anyone else’s. Thank you for being a part of my family with your easy to make recipes and great videos.
I’m smiling big readying this comment! Thank you! No book at this time but we do have a plan in the works. Thank you for that Instant Pot book suggestion.
I am a one person house hold. I have the 3 QT. Can the ribs be done in the IP by cutting the ingredients by 1/2?
Hi Pete, I haven’t tested anything in an instant pot that small but I think that should work fine. I don’t see why not. I hope you love the ribs.
Made this today! The ribs were “off the chain” delicious! I may add a whole Vidalia onion next time. Thanks for the recipe. Will definitely make again!
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed that, Terry!
This mine and my husbands first instant pot meal and it was amazing! We decided to go with this one because of all the great reviews left on your page & I see why you have so many. Thank you for sharing your recipes! We’re trying your chicken and rice one next!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review, Mandy!
Made ribs yesterday and wow, they were amazing! Thank you so much!
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Tatyana!
I’ve never made ribs before because I never thought I could compete with my brother-in-law’s ribs. This was THE BEST recipe ever and it was SO EASY! To make it even easier, I just bought the ribs at Costco and they were pre-seasoned, so I only needed the apple juice, cider vinegar, and BBQ sauce. Everyone loved them (even my brother-in-law). Thank you!!!
That’s just awesome! I’m so glad you found a favorite, Zochil!
Can I make these in the morning and finish them off later at night in the oven for a party I want to make a couple of racks for 30 people but only have one instant pot
Hi April, I imagine that should work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
I made these ribs last night and they turned out GREAT! It sure is easy to do. That silver skin was a little bit to deal with but that will be easier next time. lol
I’m so glad you gave this recipe a try, Dave!! Thank you for the great feedback!
We made these for Thanksgiving and they turned out fabulous! Very delicious and easy! We usually do ribs in the crockpot but this is just as good and much faster.
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Alicia!