Instant Pot Ribs
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Last Updated on June 26, 2023 by Lisa Johnson
If you are looking for the best fall-off-the-bone Instant Pot bbq ribs, you have come to the right place! An Instant Pot can quickly and easily turn a rack of ribs into tender, fall-off-the-bone perfection.
Whether you’re making spare ribs or baby back ribs, this recipe will help you make the best Instant Pot Ribs ever!
For even more delicious pressure cooker recipes, check out the Instant Pot Recipes page.
Last summer I used my Belgian waffle iron to avoid turning on the oven and came up with some delicious Waffled Chocolate Chip Cookies, Blueberry Lemon Waffled Muffins, and even Waffled Brownies!
This year I am using my Instant Pot to help me create some delicious and fast meals to beat the heat when it is 115°+ outside! BBQ ribs made in a pressure cooker is an easy recipe that creates the most tender ribs and has become one of my absolute favorite instant pot recipes!
What you’ll need
- Rack of Pork Ribs – it is more important to choose ribs that are no taller than the inside liner of your pressure cooker, than the actual weight. The ribs above are 4.25 pounds, your weight may vary.
- Seasoning – I used my favorite Southwest Seasoning Blend, but Cowboy Spice Rub is also a delicious choice.
- Water – liquid is needed for the pressure cooker to come up to pressure. I like to use half water and half bourbon to add extra flavor, but that is completely up to you.
- Barbecue Sauce – the sauce is brushed on the cooked ribs then placed under the broiler, or on the grill, for a few minutes to caramelize and give the ribs a charred appearance.
Be sure to check out the detailed printable recipe card below
How to cook ribs in an Instant Pot
Place a trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot inner liner, and pour in the water. I knew that I was using Bourbon and Brown Sugar Barbecue Sauce, so I used a half-cup of Knob Creek Bourbon and a half-cup of water, but the bourbon is completely optional!
The trivet that I used comes with the Instant Pot DUO
Flip the ribs over on a work surface and remove the shiny, thin membrane that covers the underside of the ribs. Just grab a corner and pull, it’s pretty easy.
Sprinkle ribs with the seasoning mix and rub it all over the ribs to coat both sides.
Coil ribs into a circle and place vertically on top of the trivet inside the pressure cooker liner.
Secure the lid, make sure the knob is in the sealing position, and set Instant Pot to Manual or Pressure Cook on High Pressure for 25 minutes. Use the + and – buttons to adjust the time.
The Instant Pot will take 10 to 12 minutes to pressurize before it starts cooking.
When the timer is finished, natural pressure release for 15 minutes. Don’t touch anything.
Manually, or quick release, any remaining pressure and remove the lid.
If using spare ribs, allow the pressure to naturally release completely to ensure that they are nice and tender.
Remove the ribs with tongs and place on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet. Coat the meaty side of the ribs with your favorite bbq sauce.
Place under the broiler, or on the grill, for a few minutes to caramelize the sauce. Cut ribs in-between the bones and serve with extra barbecue sauce.
Side dish ideas
Barbecue ribs with Instant Pot Bacon Potato Salad is always one of my favorite sides. These Crispy Baked Potatoes, or Baked Potato Wedges are a great option. For a true barbecue experience, serve with Baked Beans with Bacon, and Skillet Cornbread!
Yes, I realize that having yet another kitchen appliance to store is a hassle, but you can’t beat delicious pressure cooker ribs in less than an hour. It truly is one of the best ways for cooking ribs!
FAQs
Because the steam would pretty much wash the delicious barbecue sauce right off the ribs.
Yes – place the first rack on the trivet, then add the second rack in the center spiraling around the outside of the first rack as needed. The cooking time will be the same, but it will take longer for the pressure to build
Yes you can, but you may need to adjust cooking times. Check the owner’s manual for suggested cooking time.
NO – the flavor is forced into the meat while it’s cooking. If you use cheap bourbon, your ribs will taste like cheap bourbon! If you wouldn’t drink it, you shouldn’t cook with it.
Follow the instructions in this post to bake your ribs in the oven.
If your pressure cooker did not come with a trivet you can purchase a steamer rack trivet from Amazon. (affiliate link)
Delicious barbecue sauce recipes
- Tangy & Sassy Barbecue Sauce – alcohol free
- Cherry Chipotle Barbecue Sauce – alcohol free
- Ancho Orange Barbecue Sauce – Whole30/Paleo
- Pineapple Bourbon Barbecue Sauce
- Guinness Barbecue Sauce
- Sugar Free BBQ Sauce – perfect for low carb ribs
If you love this recipe, please rate it five stars and help me share on facebook and to help other readers in our community!
Enjoy!!
Instant Pot Barbecue Ribs
Equipment
- Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 cup water or half water and half bourbon
- 3 pound rack pork ribs baby back or spare ribs
- 4 tablespoons southwest seasoning rub or dry rub of your choice
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Place a trivet in the bottom of your Instant Pot inner liner, and pour in the water.
- Flip the ribs over on a work surface and remove the thin, shiny membrane that covers the backside of the ribs. Just grab a corner and pull, it’s pretty easy.
- Sprinkle ribs with the seasoning mix and rub it all over the ribs to coat both sides. Coil ribs into a circle and place vertically on top of the trivet inside the pressure cooker liner.
- Secure the lid, and set Instant Pot to Manual or Pressure Cook on High Pressure for 25 minutes. Use the + and – buttons to adjust the time.
- When the pressure cooking is done, allow the pressure to naturally release for 15 minutes. Manually release any remaining pressure and remove the lid. If using spare ribs, allow the pressure to naturally release completely to ensure that they are nice and tender.
- Remove the ribs with tongs and place on a foil lined baking sheet. Coat ribs with barbecue sauce.
- Place under the broiler, or on the grill, for a few minutes to caramelize the sauce. Cut ribs in-between the bones and serve with additional sauce.
Notes
- I used a half-cup of water and a half-cup of Knob Creek Bourbon for added flavor, but this is optional.
- I used Bourbon and Brown Sugar Barbecue Sauce for this recipe, but feel free to use your favorite sauce.
- Actual cooking time is 25 minutes AFTER your Instant Pot reaches pressure, which could take 10 to 12 minutes. The Natural Release adds an additional 15 to 30 minutes, but it is all hands-free cooking.
- To cook two racks of ribs, place the first rack on the trivet, then add the second rack in the center spiraling around the outside of the first rack as needed. The cooking time will be the same, but it will take longer for the pressure to build.
The recipe for BBQ ribs in instant pot calls for one rack of ribs. Does the pot come larger to cook more than one rack of ribs? I cook for a large family
Yes, you can definitely fit more than one rack. I have seen people cook 3 racks for 40 minutes, then natural release for 15 but I have never tried it myself. Good luck!
i just bought an instant pot, 5 qt, these ribs turned out amazing. very tender. thank you for sharing your tips.
Trying this tonight but without the basket! Have you done this? I don’t have any accessories for my pressure cooker yet!
I have not Heather, but I others have and it worked great. Good luck!
With the timing noted in the recipe – is the meat falling off the bone or does it still have some chew to it? We like it to be chewed off the bone not real soft. So if this is for “falling off the bone” ribs I will reduce time.
Hi Susan – No, the meat is not falling off the bones as they are pulled out of the pot. 🙂
These are the best ribs ever! I seriously make them once a week, so good! Do you know the timing if I were to do 2 racks of ribs together?
Thank you so much Arielle, I am so glad you like them!! The cooking time remains the same. If the ribs are really thick, I bump it up to 30 minutes.