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
Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs cook in the pressure cooker and are slathered with BBQ sauce for extra flavor. You'll love these easy fall-off-the-bone 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!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Recipe was made in an 8-quart Instant Pot electric pressure cooker. For a 6 quart, reduce liquid to 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup apple cider or juice.
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,
Your really can make just about anything in an Instant Pot! Such a great seasoning rub.
I still can’t believe how much you can do with it!
Wow! I can’t believe that you can make such tender ribs in just an hour. Usually that is an all day process! Looks like I need to get my hands on an Instant Pot. 😉
I’ve never tried making ribs in the Instant Pot… but I definitely need to try this!
It’s now my favorite way to make them!
It amazes me what you can do in an instant pot! I love it!
I JUST got an instant pot so I can’t wait try this out!!!!
Those look delicious but I am wondering why the recipe calls for so much liquid. Two cups is way more than needed for processing. Did you have a reason for increasing it?
Hi Nana. I have an 8 quart DUO, which recommends 2 cups liquid when cooking. Sometimes, I add a little of the cooking liquid to the BBQ sauce I make, so it’s nice to have extra in there. 🙂
the 6 quart only takes 1 cup of liquid to bring it up to pressure. Luuuv my IP!!
First thing I tried with my new pot. AMAZIMG RIBS!! Will be making these again and again!!
So glad it worked for you! We won’t make them any other way now! 🙂
Made this one today. what a time saver!
This recipe looks amazing! I’ve tried baby backs in our IP once before and the recipe called for apple cider vinegar as well. They tasted so much like vinegar I threw them out. Is there anything else you would recommend instead of the vinegar to avoid this?
I don’t taste the vinegar at all, but it’s really just for added flavor and not necessary. Did you use a trivet? That would help, as well. I know some people use apple juice, beer, pop or plain old water, instead! 🙂
Is high pressure used?
Yes, it’s high pressure using the “pressure cook” or manual button.
Do you cut the ribs in 4’s so they all fit and stack them in the IP?
I just recently got a IP and love it so far. Would love to try this recipe!
Thanks
We just wrap the slabs around the inside of the inner pot, but I think some people cut and stack them, instead. It’s our favorite way to make ribs now. 🙂
Had ribs in my fridge and needed dinner fast so i took A chance on this recipe and LOVED it!! All the kids loved them too!
Thanks for letting me know, Shanee. So glad you all enjoyed them!
If I use just over 5 lbs of ribs do I need to alter any of the other ingredients or cooking time? Thanks!
You may need to make extra rub if there’s not enough to coat the ribs, but the cooking time and liquid should remain the same.
These were alright and I could taste the vinegar a little. I will make them again but decrease the amount of liquid.
I just made a slightly different version tonight without the vinegar, and I’ll be posting the new recipe soon!
These are absolutely AMAZING! My go to recipe for ribs. I make them all the time now. My husband and kids love them. I tell anyone I know who owns an IP have to try this recipe!
Thanks so much, Lauren. I’m so happy you like them! 🙂
This recipe is great and very easy. I put 2 lbs of New Orlean style ribs and 2 lbs of baby back ribs in the Instant Pot after marinating them all day with the dry rub. The ribs came out of the Instant Pot so tender. We put BBQ sauce on them and grilled for 5 minutes. I hardly recommend this recipe!
I meant HIGHLY not hardly recommend!
Ha. Thanks so much, Cynthia. So glad you liked it! 🙂
I just got an instant pot. There is a large pot with it to put inside and also a fold up rack. What are you calling a trivet. Do you have to order?
The fold up rack is the trivet. The little legs go on the bottom, and the handles go up toward the top so that you can easily pick the trivet up after cooking.
I put 2 lbs of baby back ribs in with your rib and another rub combine. I used apple cider vinegar and apple juice instead of the water. Pressure cooked for 27 minutes and they were falling apart before I broiled hem for 5 minutes. Awesome! Thank you!
Thanks, Julie. Pressure cooker ribs are the best! 🙂