These Instant Pot Baby Back Pork Ribs are fall off the bone tender and only take 25 minutes to cook!
Instant Pot Baby Back Pork Ribs are rubbed down with seasonings then cooked to perfection and finished off under the broiler for the perfect texture.
You guys, I’m not even kidding when I say that these ribs are a game changer. A few years ago my husband bought a smoker so we could make some epic smoked meats, and it was my favorite way to enjoy ribs. Until now.
I still love my husband’s ribs, but they would take HOURS in the smoker. I would have to wait ALL DAY to get a taste of that tender rib meat. That’s all changed with these Instant Pot Baby Back Pork Ribs. Now I can have that tender, fall-off-the-bone goodness in just 25 minutes! Trust me, it’s true!
How To Make Instant Pot Ribs:
The first thing you’ll want to do is remove the skin from bottom side of a rack of ribs. To do this, simply run a butter knife under the skin to loosen.
Grab a paper towel (so you can have a better grip) and pull that layer all the way off. It looks like it would be difficult, but trust me, it comes right off!
What Spices To Use for a Dry Rub Rib Recipe?
The next thing to do is just rub down the rack of ribs with my husband’s signature spice rub. It’s a mixture of sweet and spicy with a few other spices that will really make the flavor on these ribs pop!
- Brown Sugar
- Chili Powder
- Dried Parsley
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Cayenne Pepper
After you’ve rubbed both sides of the rack down, simply throw the whole rack into the pressure cooker.
Tips and Tricks for Instant Pot Ribs:
Use your rack to keep the pork out of the liquid on the bottom. If you don’t have a rack, ball up some aluminum foil and try to make a rack of some sort to elevate the pork.
My next big tip to making these Instant Pot Baby Back Pork Ribs – THE LIQUID!
- Use one cup of water
- 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 tsp liquid smoke
The liquid smoke is optional, but highly recommended. Remember how I said I loved my husband’s smoked ribs? Adding that tiny bit of liquid smoke gets that flavor in the ribs without pulling out the smoker or grill!
Once the ribs are done, you’ll let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then finish with a quick release. Carefully remove the ribs (you’ll want to try and grab the rack with some tongs going perpendicular to the bones) and set it on a foil-lined baking sheet.
Brush the rack down with some BBQ sauce and pop it under the broiler for just 5 minutes to get nice and bubbly.
How To Double Instant Pot Ribs Recipe:
This recipe is for about a 3 1/2 pound rack of pork ribs and easily fits into a 6 or 8 quart instant pot. If you’re looking to double the recipe, make sure both racks of ribs can fit into your pressure cooker. Double the spice ingredients, but you do not need to double the liquid. The time will only increase by about 10 minutes.
The meat is so tender that the bones will just slip right out when gently pulled.
I’m not kidding, these are the best ribs EVER!!
I made these the other day for Memorial Day weekend (with my Mexican Grilled Corn) as a test, and they came out so good that before the week was over, I was making them again!
Just think, you can have super tender baby back ribs ready to eat in less than 45 minutes from start to finish!
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Instant Pot Baby Back Pork Ribs
Ingredients
- 3 lb baby back pork ribs
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp salt, pepper, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 tsp liquid smoke, optional
- 1/2 cup bbq sauce
Instructions
- Remove the lining from the bottom side of the ribs by running a butter knife under the skin and then using a paper towel to grip and remove completely.
- Combine the brown sugar, chili powder, parsley, salt, pepper, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and cayenne pepper in a small dish and rub all over the ribs.
- Place the rack in your pressure cooker and place the ribs inside the pot, standing on their side, wrapping around the inside of the pot. Pour in the water, apple cider and liquid smoke (if using), being careful to not wash off any of the seasonings.
- Secure the lid, making sure the vent is closed. Press the Meat button and set to 25 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes, then quick release the rest of the way.
- Carefully remove the ribs from the pressure cooker and set on a foil lined baking sheet. Brush down with your favorite BBQ sauce, and pop under the broiler for 5 minutes, but keep an eye on it so it doesn't burn (some ovens are more hot than others). Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Do you still cook the ribs for 25 minutes if you put 2 racks in the Instant Pot. New to using an Instant Pot.
I would bump the time to 30 minutes. I’ve successfully made 2 1/2 racks in my 8 quart pot at 30 minutes. 🙂
Hello, Do you double the liquid for 2 racks ?
Thanks
I am using the 6qt instant pot. Do I still cook for 25 minutes?
These were the BEST ribs I have ever eaten or made ! SO tender and taste. Thank you ;-).
So glad you enjoyed them!! 🙂
Your husband’s rub… you mentioned ‘other spices’… what are they? What are the amounts of the ingredients?
The recipe above for the spice rub is what my husband uses. 🙂
First time using the instant pot. Loved this recipe!!
Fantastic! So glad you enjoyed it!
First try with brand new instant pot. Very tender and moist,but rub was very spicy! Husband loved it! He’s a Louisiana guy but if you don’t like spice, might tone down the rub a bit.
You can cut back on the cayenne pepper. We love the spice it gives! 🙂 So glad you enjoyed them!
Can I start these frozen? Just wondered, mine are still in the freezer. Thanks they sound so tasty!
I don’t think you’d be able to bend the ribs if they’re frozen.
HOLY cow. These ribs were AMAZING!!!! Like insane. I might have to make these a weekly thing!!! yummmmmm
We eat these more than I care to admit. I’m so glad you enjoyed them too!
Wanting to try these tomorrow. My question is why put apple cider vinegar in with the water. Don’t the ribs taste vinegary?
Love to hear back.
Thank you
The apple cider vinegar gives a delicious flavor to the ribs, they do not taste vinegary at all.
Thanks so much. Will try to-day.
Where does the parsley come in?
It goes in the spice rub!
I would change one thing in your method of work. Add the liquid first,then the rack, then the rubbed ribs. That way you aren’t concerned about rinsing the rub off.
Shawn,
Thank you so much for sharing your recipe! It was really good and we will make it again!
Made this tonight, it was a HUGE hit and will be our IP BBQ baby back rib recipe from now on. I made up extra of your husband’s seasoning and put it into a spice bottle for future use. Thanks for posting this yummy rib recipe.
That is a great idea to make extra for later!
Hi I don’t have an instant pot. Can a regular pressure pot be used instead? What abt a slow cooker?
Sry. That should be pressure cooker.
Followed the recipe exactly, using a 6 quart Duo-60. I’d perhaps shave a minute or two from the cooking time, or do a quick release; but fantastic ribs. Meaty, fat rendered away and ‘fall off the bones’. I’ll be making these again.
Tom
I’m drooling. It looks so good. I have never removed the skin from bottom side, Gonna try this recipe soon. Thank yo for sharing!
My pressure cooker does not have a meat setting…so I assume I would put it on high for the 25 minutes???
I used the High setting for 25 minutes and it worked great!
Very tasty, and yes soooo tender! Loving hubby’s rub, lots of good flavors I there! Thanks for the great recipe!
I have an 8Q pot. Any way that I can put baked potatoes and corn on the cob in there too?? Or at least just the potatoes?
If I do two racks at the same time do need to increase the 25 minute cook time?
Would this recipe work in a 6 qt Instant Pot? I”d love to try it, but I’m worried it’s not big enough.
Yes, a 6 qt. IP works fine.
Made these tonight for dinner. My first attempt at using my new 6 qt. InstaPot. Delicious, falling off the bone in 25 minutes. The only thing I changed in the recipe was to replace the 1 cup of water with 1 cup of dark beer. Amazing flavor and finished them off with Sweet Baby Rays on the grill.
I find O’Douls Amber is a good braising liquid. About it’s only redeeming quality.
Excellent directions! Made them in my new mini Instant Pot. Could not sit them up as in photo so stacked on rack. Four ribs each for my husband and I.
Thank you!!
I made this tonight – my very first thing to make in my new IP. They were amazing and so easy!!
These ribs are amazing! I made them for my family today and everyone loved them! Thank you so much! I didn’t have the liquid smoke but I will add that next time!
Hi! Do I pour the liquid into the bottom of the pot or pour it on top of the ribs?
Just pour into the bottom, try not to wash off the dry rub.
Hi Shawn! I must say this recipe for ribs in a pressure cooker is fantastic! It was over 90 degrees here today and since I don’t have AC it was about the same in my home. So, I decided to pick up some ribs from the market on the way home and cook them in my outdoor kitchen in the pressure cooker. Instead of the oven broiler, I fired up my pellet smoker/grill on high and finished the ribs that way instead of the broiler. Let me tell you, they were amazing! The last time I made ribs this good it took me most of the day! Thank you, Shawn…..I am a forever “I wash You dry” junky from now on!
Cheers from the beautiful state of Oregon!
Ed
Thanks Ed! Your comment made my day! I’m so glad you enjoyed the ribs! Grilling them afterwards is a great option!
Would you please recommend a good bbq sauce?
Cookie’s BBQ sauce is fantastic. For a Polynesian flavor, finish with Mae Ploy.
http://cookiesbbq.com
And specifically Mae Ploy sweet chili sauce. Actually any sweet chili sauce will do, I’ve just fallen into the habit of calling any SCS Mae Ploy.
Do you think you could put 2 racks of ribs in at the same time? If so would you increase the cooking time? Cooking for a group, thanks!
Following, as this was the question I’m wanting to know. I made the single rack tonight and it was PERFECT!
I have the 8 quart Instant Pot and have squeezed 3 racks in there! I increased the cooking time to 35 minutes and they turned out wonderfully. I used my sister-in-law’s 6 quart IP and was able to squeeze 1 1/2 racks in there, increased the time to 30 minutes and it worked wonderfully as well. Hope this helps!
Made these last night with fresh ribs from our local meat market. First time using my new instant pot, they were AMAZING!
These look amazing! I’m new to the instapot world, so do I do this on low pressure or high pressure? In general, how do I know when to use low vs. high? Thanks!!
You just click the “Meat” button and the Instant Pot does the thinking for you!
Can I use a crockpot?
Low or high?
How long?
Yup! You can cook on High for 4 hours or Low for 8 hours.
I’m about to drool! The chops are looking so tender and well spiced. So delicious
My mouth is watering by reading this post. Tomorrow I will try this. Thank you Shawn 🙂
Could you use a electric pressure cooker? These look awesome.
Yes!
My mouth is watering just reading your post and looking at those photos! I’m allll about quick, easy, and delicious! 🙂