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.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
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
Can I follow this recipe with beef ribs?
I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe, Diana!
I made the sticky ribs tonight! Wow they were amazing everyone was impressed.. Thank you love your recipes..
Yay so happy to hear that, Thanks for sharing Helen!
Could this same recipe work in a slow cooker?
Hi Ron, I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.
Making these for the second time tonight per the request of two (out of three) of my kids. My youngest isn’t much into meat, but two of my kids really love these easy ribs. First time, I finished them off in the oven. Tonight I am going to finish them on the charcoal grill. Pairing them with baked French-fried potatoes.
Sounds like a great plan! I’m sure your kids will be happy to see this dish on your dining table. Enjoy!
Thank you, Natasha. My kids love looking through your blog as much as I do (and watching your fun videos).
How much apple juice and vinegar did you use?
Hi Stephanie, I have that listed specifically in the recipe card above.
Thank you. I over looked it. Also if I want to double this recipe can I use the same amount of liquid or do I double the liquid as well?
Hi Stephanie, if doubling the ribs, I would double the rub. If using a larger instant pot, I would keep the liquid amount the same.
Hi Natasha! I’m going to try this recipe tonight…so excited!! Had 1 question… I have an 8qt instant pot, do I need to double liquids?
Hi Veronica, I haven’t tested this in a 8qt pot. You may need more if the liquid in the recipe doesn’t fill the minimum requirement of the pot.
I do not have apple juice. I do have apple cider. Do you have a substitute for apple juice? I have chicken broth and beef broth. Would you anticipate either of these altering quality or taste negatively? Excited to try this.
Hi Nicole, I haven’t tested those but I think they should work fine. I don’t see why not. I hope you love the recipe!
We use Chars Country Dips & Seasonings (Rib Rub or Winner Winner Chicken Dinner) they are both Amazing
Thank you for sharing that with us!
Ribs are great instead pot is so easy
Isn’t it amazing how easy it is!
Why so much liquid?
Hi Inez, 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.
My 10 y/o daughter made these for dinner tonight. The recipe is so easy and absolutely delicious. I’ve passed it along to other friends. AMAZING turnout. We even put 4 racks instead of 3 in the instant pot. Fall off the clean bone ribs!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
I made this tonight. it came together so easily. The flavor was really amazing and I like how the BBQ sauce caramelizes on the ribs under the broiler.
Thanks for another great recipe.
Glad to know that Kat. Thank you so much for sharing your good experience with us. I love it!
Made it last night and it turned out great! Everybody loved it. Very flavorful.
That’s so awesome Kelly! Thank you for that wonderful review.
I am just wondering that if I use a regular Pressure Cooker would the cook times be the same? I do plan on getting an InstaPot later.
Hi Phillip, I imagine the cooking time should be the same. I’d love to know how you like this using a regular pressure cooker.
This is an amazing recipe. This situation has my 80 year old mom feeling depressed. She wasn’t really eating and we were quite worried. I made these ribs and she ate with gusto! She even had 2nds! Thank you so much!
I’m so glad she enjoyed these ribs Tina!
I pretty much followed your recipe and the rack came out so tender and tasted so good. This was so easy. Several racks could be done over a couple hours for a large number of guests. I wonder if they would hold together if I left the membrane on the back?
Hi Suzanne, if the ribs were falling apart, it could be due to overcooking. Make sure to follow the timings precisely so they are easy to transfer out of the instant pot without falling apart. I hope that helps!
It’s Tina again! I was wondering if anyone has cooked 2 or 3 racks at the same time in the instant pot.
Hi Tina, I looked through the comments and on of our readers posted the following: “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 hope this helps!
What brand of pressure cooker do you use for the ribs and chicken recipes?
Hi Tricia, I used this instant pot for this recipe.
Hi Natasha,
Love the ribs. If I wanted to cook two slabs of ribs at once, would I need to increase the cooking time?
Thank you
Hi Bill, 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.
You use the term “Instant Pot”- is this the same as a pressure cooker?
Hi Jim, yes that is correct.
Would the recipe work in a Crock Pot?
Hi Louise, 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.
Pretty yummy for my first try at this. I was wondering if there’s something I could do with the liquid for this since it seems kind of wasteful to just throw it again. Thanks.
Hi Amanda, we haven’t tried reusing it.
Flavor was good for something not smoked or grilled. But basically fell apart when being removed from the pot. I know some people like this but for me, I like a bit more fight coming off the bone.
Thank you for that feedback Christopher!