Make Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs in the pressure cooker for tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs in under an hour. They’re loaded with flavor and so delicious!
You can make tender, fall-off-the-bone pork ribs in the pressure cooker anytime — no grill required. Just season them with dry rub, cook the ribs in the Instant Pot, slather them with barbecue sauce and broil them for a crispier texture. You’re going to love these easy Instant Pot baby back ribs!
Confession time — I’m kind of obsessed with making dinner in the Instant Pot. Actually, I’m obsessed with Instant Pot recipes because it takes making quick and easy dinners to the next level! I’ve had it for less than a month, and I’ve already made so many different recipes.
I’ve cooked spaghetti in the Instant Pot, sausage and peppers, Teriyaki chicken and creamy shells and beef. But we probably make baby back ribs in the Instant Pot more than anything else. Why? Well, they’re absolutely perfect every. single. time. Seriously, once you make ribs in the pressure cooker, you may never go back!
This method for pressure cooker ribs is a lot like making ribs in the slow cooker, only it’s a lot faster. Instead of making fall-off-the-bone ribs in a few hours, you’ll devouring these ribs in less than an hour!
Seriously, this is one of our favorite Instant Pot recipes!
How to make Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
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Whenever we make ribs, I like to start off with a dry rub. This goes for making ribs in the pressure cooker, slow cooker or just on the grill. It adds an extra layer of flavor, so don’t skip it if you can. I like to make my own dry rub, but you can use a mix if that’s easier.
Next, you add some liquid to the Instant Pot. I use a mix of water and apple cider vinegar, which adds some awesome flavor to the ribs. Place the ribs on the trivet, close the lid, set the seal to venting, and pressure cook for 20 minutes.
You can pressure cook the ribs for 15 minutes if you want chewier ribs or 25 minutes for ribs that completely fall off the bone. It’s really a personal preference, and the best way to get ribs that are absolutely perfect is to experiment until you’re happy with the end result.
When the ribs are done, do a slow release for a few minutes, and then release the pressure completely. Place the ribs on a foil-lined baking sheet, slather your favorite barbecue sauce on them, and then broil for about 5 minutes or until the sauce bubbles and the ribs get a little crispy.
This is an optional step, but if you want to mimic the texture of grilled ribs, you’ll want to pop them under the broiler. And that’s all, folks! Go ahead and dig in!
And if the weather is nice, you can grill the ribs after pressure cooking — so good!
Recipe for Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
Ingredients
- 4 pounds baby back pork ribs, membrane removed
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons sea salt
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Add the the brown sugar, sea salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika and pepper to a small bowl, and stir to combine
- Remove membrane from back of ribs, and rub seasoning mix over ribs
- Add water and apple cider vinegar to Instant Pot, and place trivet on bottom of pot
- Place seasoned ribs on trivet, cover, move valve to sealing position, and hit Pressure Cook for 20 minutes
- Allow to naturally release for 10 minutes, then move valve to quick release until pin drops.
- Open lid, remove ribs to foil lined baking sheet, and brush barbecue sauce over ribs
- Place ribs in oven, and broil for 5 minutes or until ribs bubble and look crisp
- Remove ribs from oven, cut, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
My family absolutely loves these easy Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs, and I hope you love them as much as we do!
Shared at Weekend Potluck
Happy Cooking,
Rena says
January 3, 2019 at 8:29 pmDelicious!
Jacquie says
January 5, 2019 at 1:43 pmThese were amazing! Only change I made was I added about a teaspoon of Chili powder. We usually cook ribs low & slow in the oven4-5 hours, then finish them off on the grill. I think this is a much more energy conscious way to make them 🤣 and they taste fabulous! We finished these with the broiler and it worked great.
Dee says
January 5, 2019 at 2:25 pmSo glad to hear this! We make ribs all year round now, thanks to the Instant Pot! 🙂
Sue says
January 26, 2019 at 5:08 pmAt 25 minutes this was fall off the bone good. Tasty rub mixture also. I made this exactly as written and it was ok. But, this was Fabulous ***** the next day after simmering a few hours in more BBQ sauce! Instant Pot makes it fast and easy, but do try simmering any IP recipe for longer — you will be so happy you did! Thanks for the recipe.
Dee says
January 27, 2019 at 1:23 pmThanks for sharing, Sue. That sounds so good!
Jastina says
April 14, 2019 at 3:59 pmIs it the same time if I only have 2 1/2 pounds
Dee says
April 15, 2019 at 9:32 amYes — The cook time remains the same. 🙂
Patti Delzer says
April 27, 2019 at 12:41 pmI cooked the ribs for 25 minutes under pressure, then gave it 10 minutes for natural release, then 2 minutes per side under the broiler. The ribs were delicious. I definitely will make these again.
Dee says
April 27, 2019 at 1:41 pmYou have me craving ribs again! Thanks so much, Patti!
Felicia says
May 1, 2019 at 10:17 amThese were perfect, just what I was looking for in a recipe. The broiler really was key in producing that gooey sauce that melded to the ribs. I left mine in broiler 6 mins on each side to give a little extra roast.
Dee says
May 2, 2019 at 8:07 amThank you so much, Felicia! I’m thrilled that you liked the recipe, and yes, broiling the ribs is definitely worth it! 🙂
Kim says
May 4, 2019 at 8:24 amThis is my favorite pressure cooker recipe. Thank you for sharing.
Dee says
May 4, 2019 at 12:01 pmThanks for taking the time to let me know! Glad you like them! 🙂
Pam says
May 4, 2019 at 8:35 amAmazing! I have always been a 10-12 hours in the oven at 200 but NO more! These taste just as good.
Dee says
May 4, 2019 at 12:02 pmYes! I love that you don’t have to keep the oven on, especially in the summer. Thanks, Pam.
Dana says
May 16, 2019 at 2:32 pmBarbecue is my favorite type of food so when I saw these, I just had to try this recipe and these ribs are just DELICIOUS! Very tangy flavor and they fall right off the bone. Definitely making again
Dee says
May 17, 2019 at 9:05 amThank you so much, Dana!
Don says
May 30, 2019 at 3:46 pmCooked 15 minutes 10 minutes NPR
put bbq sauce wrapped in foil grilled low 30 minutes turned once OMG soooo delish
Dee says
May 31, 2019 at 1:17 pmThat’s great, Don! So happy you enjoyed the ribs!
Claire Fernandez says
June 17, 2019 at 9:30 amHow would I adjust the cooking time for only 1.5lbs of ribs?
Dee says
June 17, 2019 at 12:57 pmThe cooking time is still the same.