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
How about some hints for people who don’t have an InstantPot?
Hi Sylvia, you can check out my Smoked Ribs recipe or Baked BBQ Ribs instead.
We use KINDER’S ROSTED GARLIC BBQ SAUCE
Thank you for sharing that Robert.
literally amazing!!!! bless your soul!!! ill never order ribs at a restaurant again
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Could you cook more than one rack at a time?
Hi Les, I haven’t tested that, but you would probably need a larger instant pot. I would double the rub and keep the liquid amount the same if you find a way to fit them there. I imagine you will need to increase the time by a bit also.
Would you cook country ribs the same way in an instant pot? I’ve tried and they always come out tender but not cooked right.
Hi Joe, 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 made these tonight. The meat just fell off the bone and it was delicious! So much flavor. Thanks so much for the posting the recipe.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Linda! Thank you for the wonderful review!
BEST BBQ RIBS EVER!! Helpful hint: I have made several batches in one day, reusing the same sauce in the pressure cooker. SO EASY!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
Hi Natasha, I have made the ribs several times and they are delicious!. Thank you for all your wonderful recipes and tips. I have made many. My question is, is there something I can do with the liquid after I take the ribs out?
Thank you so much!
Hi Debbie, I haven’t experimented with another recipe for the liquid. We discarded it.
Thank you!
Hi Debbie! Our friend left the liquid in the instant pot and then hit the sauté setting and let it cook for 10 minutes and then kept it to use with rice instead of water or chicken broth. Just an idea!
Hi Natasha, Could you provide instructions on how to make this recipe without an instant
pot? Thanks in advance for your help.
Hi Judie, that would have to be a very different recipe. Check out our other Ribs Recipes here.
might be wrong but i think if you use a crock pot for the recipe as a substitute it would still work just take longer. I might be wrong but you never know :).
Hi Natasha.
Loved your recipe! I’m a new IP user. This was the 3rd thing I made. Although scared to do so, I plunged in and crossed my fingers and it was a hit? My parents loved it. I would like to make them for my sisters birthday. Obviously there would be more people so need to cook 2 racks instead of 1. To avoid having to start cooking earlier and making 1 at a time and risk the 1st one getting cold, may I put 2 racks in the 6 qt? If so, do I need to add any additional liquid or increase the cooking time? Your input is greatly appreciated.
Hi Janet, I haven’t tested that, but you would probably need a larger instant pot. I would double the rub and keep the liquid amount the same if you find a way to fit them there. I imagine you will need to increase the time by a bit also.
Do you think 2 racks would fit in an 8 qt Instapot?
Hi Jane, 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.
I have made 2 racks in an 8 qt. pot, following Natasha’s recipe for one rack, BUT I double the amount of rub and BBQ sauce since you have to brush it on 2 racks of ribs. Don’t increase the liquid; it’s enough for 2 racks. You can increase the pressure cook time by 5 minutes and natural release by 5-10 minutes, but sometimes that makes them fall off the bone as you take them out of the pot. They are DELICIOUS!!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Sandi! I’m so glad you enjoeyd this recipe.
I made this meal this past week and was impressed with how delish it was! Thanks so much for your recipes Natasha! You’re amazing and make the whole cooking process so much fun 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind words and wonderful feedback, Marian. I really appreciate it!
This was the first recipe I made with an instant pot. For those that don’t know. It takes a while for machine to seal, I think 10-20 mins? Plus the additional 25 mins of cooking and natural release… I thought it would seal up fast, within 5 mins and then 25 mins of cooking. Lol
Ribs were tasty, but the smell of the liquid it cooked in wasn’t pleasant. Esp when you open it up and the smell comes out. Smelled like vomit in the house. Maybe better to cook in the garage?
Hi Olga, I’ve never thought it smelled that way, but most instant pot aromas are pretty strong. I like to either put them outside or directly under the range hood set over a cutting board (just be careful not to turn on the stove!). I avoid putting it in the garage as sometimes the furnace can pull air into it from the garage and the house will end up smelling that way anyway.
I love your videos so easy to follow and taste so good. I just got an instant pot for xmas but still unsure how to use but I’m going to try your ribs this weekend hope it turns out
Thank you, Tina. Please share with us how it goes. I hope that you will love every recipe that you will try.
Natasha – so excited to try this recipe….(we loved your whole chicken in the Instant Pot…simply delicious)….BUT – my oven just went out, and we are out of propane for our grill. Do we HAVE to finish them that way, or can we just eat them as is, once they come out of the pot?
Hi Laura, I like to bake because they don’t look as appetizing or yummy coming right out of the instant pot. They are edible and taste great for sure. You can also put them in an air fryer or toaster oven if that is an option. It also helps to caramelize the bbq sauce to create a nice crust.
Hi Natasha! I made these tonight and they were excellent!! They literally fell off the bone when I tried to transfer them to the rack to put them in the oven. I basically had to brush the pieces. Lol so delicious 😋 I made your Brussel sprouts and scallop potatoes with it! Sooo good! 2 big thumbs up 👍🏻 👍🏻
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review, Shannon!
I tried the instant pot ribs recipe on Christmas Eve. It came out so good and delicious! My family loved it! Thank you and Happy New Year.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review & Happy New Year!
Hello Natasha!!! LOVE your recipes and your video production is flawless!! I want to ask if using a larger rack of ribs (mine is 4.13 lbs) do we need to increase the cook time? Thank you!
Hi Angela, one of our readers wrote in saying, “I used 4lb pork spare ribs and it came out of the instant pot perfectly tender and the flavor…. yum yum yum! We had my neighbor and her husband over, and it was a hit.” I hope that helps
I made this twice now and my family love it!! I want to use your homemade rub on them next time. Thank you for your recipes keep them coming. Especially the instant pot ones with the videos.
I’m happy to hear that you and your family love this recipe. Thank you for sharing!
What kind of recipe uses bottle of this and made up rubs…
May as well just say buy it in a shop…
I love most of your recipes, not this one… Where in Scotland are we to buy these made ingredients.
Hi Natasha
I want to make these ribs tomorrow but I have two racks of ribs. Can they both be cooked together?
Thanks
Hi, if you can make them fit in your instant pot, it will work.
They’re delicious regardless. Please try to be more kind.
These are great. Any recommendations as an apple juice substitute? I want to make these today but don’t have apple juice!
Hi Jenn, I haven’t tried a substitute to advise, the apple juice and cider vinegar tenderize and add great flavor.
I will be cooking this for Christmas night dinner! I am excited!
I hope you love this recipe!
Delicious!!! I used 4lb pork spare ribs and it came out of the instant pot perfectly tender and the flavor…. yum yum yum! We had my neighbor and her husband over and it was a hit.
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!