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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Cindy
This rub is delicious. It was the first time I made ribs in my Instant Pot and they were fantastic!! This will be the only recipe I use!! Loved them!
Annette
I don’t have the Instant Pot brand. I got mine at a yard sale, with no recipe book, and the brand is Power Cooker. It works great but it doesn’t have a Meat setting. It has increments of 10 up to 80 that I am assuming is pressure setting. I usually just put it on 80 for everything and it is fine. Does anyone have a recipe booklet for the Power Cooker, or any tips for using the Instant Pot recipes in it?
judy
Go to their website to find directions as well as recipes…though any pressure cooker recipe will work… (I have the PPCXL 8 qt.) http://www.powerpressurecooker.com
Mike
These ribs are my first foray into the world of pressure cooking. My user manual for the instant pot says that I should use a minimum of 18 fl oz of liquid when pressure cooking. This recipe only totals 12oz, so I added an extra 6oz of water. I will let you know how it turns out!
Melissa
These ribs came out perfect. I have never made ribs in the pressure cooker and these were seriously easy, delicious and fall off the bone, just like if I cooked them in the oven for 2 1/2 hours. Thanks so much for the awesome recipe!
Jackie
Amazing is all I can say!
Rande
My boyfriend makes the best ribs ever but it takes 3-4 hours. We tried this today and they were amazing. Will never make them the “old” way again. Thanks for the awesome recipe.
Trevor
These are great!
Why not just put the liquid in first?
Kathryn
THANK YOU! These are the absolute BEST fall-off-the-bone and flavor packed ribs ever! I’m new to Instant pot cooking and I’m so glad I tried your recipe! Definitely a winner!!!
JOY
I made these about a month ago and I just made another batch. sadly my IP is too small to put 2 racks in without cutting them but they fit great cutting both in half and putting them side by side, with the smaller 2 in the middle. I also didn’t double the spices, because there was more than enough to cover all the ribs, and I didn’t add to the cook time and they came out perfect.
Jeanine
These are by far the best ribs we have ever eaten. My sister, niece, brother and myself all have instant pots and love these ribs. If I had only bought my instant pot to make these ribs in it would have been worth every penny (of course I use it all the time). I served them with instant pot easy mac and cheese. Absolutely fabulous dinner in 45 minutes (most of it cooking time).
Dawn
I want to try them in IP before this I would cook in slow cooker until tender but not falling off bone and finish on grill with BBQ sauce. I think will try in IP but if I wart to still finish on the grill do you think I need to reduce the time so they don’t fall through the grill rack?
Shella
I made these tonight, 2 racks of ribs and an 8 at instant pot. They were not done in 30 mins with 10 min before quick release. They were packed tight and surprisingly thick. I am not sure if the thickness was the problem or not. Flavor was great after I cooked an additional 15 mins.
Andrea
Hi – has anyone tried only cooking a half rack? Would the cooking time be the same?
Shawn
I would think the cooking time would be the same, if not maybe just a few minutes less. 🙂 Enjoy!
Kat
These ribs, by far, are the best we have ever tasted. Thanks for posting.
Ron
When I do a rack of ribs, I do the dry rub, cover the meat in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Ok to do with this IP recipe? I’m an IP newbie and have been looking forward to making your recipe!
Michele
I always let them sit in the fridge overnight with the dry rub on them before I cook them in the IP
Claudette
I made them tonight. They were so quick and easy and soooo good! They really didn’t fall off the bone.
Claudette
It was supposed to say did fall off the bone!
Carmalita
Thank you so much. My family loved it and it will be a go to during weekdays.
Marcia
If I have boneless ribs (quite thick,) should I reduce the time by 5 minutes or so because of no bones?
Caitlin Young
I never comment on recipes but I have to on this one. This is the best pork I’ve ever made in my whole life. Period.
I don’t understand the magic of how the instant pot gets the ribs fall off the bone tender, but it does!
Simply amazing!!!!
Shawn
Well thanks for commenting! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Marla
If I use 2 racks, do I need to double the liquid?
Shawn
Nope
Ljubitza
Do you think you could try this in the mini? Would you use less liquid? Same time? Thank you!
Shawn
I haven’t tried it in the mini yet, but I would imagine you’ll still want the same amount of liquid.
Linda
Yes – I made this tonight 1/2 rack in 3 qt mini. Same amount of water & same time. Relish!
Shirley
I have a mini and that was one of the first things I did. Wish I had this recipe when I did them. They were really good even so. I curled them around and had the bottom of the cooker full of ribs standing up. Did mine about same time as this recipe. Fall off the bone cooked. Love it.
Brenda
I just purchased my Instant Pot two days ago and this was the first recipe I tried. My ribs turned out AMAZING!! They were fall off the bone tender (just the way my family loves them). My family was comparing my ribs to well known rib joints in our area. Thank you so much for an amazing recipe and also I loved the step by step tutorial with pictures, it helped immensely!! I look forward to making your other recipes!
Shawn
Awesome! I can’t help but compare my ribs to other BBQ joints in town, and yeah, we all enjoy this recipe more than anything else! So glad you enjoyed them!
Karen
Thank you!! These were amazing! My hubby was upset I was going to waste ribs from a freshly butchered hog….these were fabulous! Fall off the bone tender and wonderful flavor
Shawn
So glad you enjoyed them!
Kate
I wanted to make this today, but I have Pork Shoulder Country Style Ribs in hand. Do you know if this will work? They are boneless so I wasn’t sure if that would change the cooking time. I am novice. I have been googling to no avail. Your recipe came highly recommended by a good friend.
Mary
Can this be done in a crock pot? The Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
Shawn
I would try LOW for 6 to 8 hours.
Valeria Dombiak Woelfel
very good. came out great.
Carrie
Would the recipe time change any for St Louis style ribs instead of baby back?
Shawn
No, I would use the same time.
Debora Cadene
I don’t know if I’ve already replied, but i am doing it again, cause i have a question for you. First off….25 minutes HP with 10 minutes NPR…. PERFECT. I generally like a fattier rib, and the ones I had were fairly lean. OMG. so good. I have the 6 quart…I’d like to put 2 racks in….do you think the cook time will be the same. I’d like to make these for the kids this weekend and am hoping to impress them with these ribs.
Thanks bunches!!!
Shawn
I just cooked two full racks in my 8 quart for 25 minutes and they were perfect. I’ve only ever been able to fit 1 1/2 racks into a 6 quart, and cooked them for 25 to 30 minutes and they were perfect too. Hope this helps!
Lucy
Does anyone try to cook this in the oven?
Kathleen Lamantia
This looks like a great recipe, but it took way too damn long to find the Print icon. I nearly gave up!
Lissette
I didn’t know people still printed recipes wow
Tami
Much easier than waking up your phone, tablet etc!!
Kathlee Lamantia
I find it much easier to use a printed copy. I can make notes, it doesn’t shut off in the middle, and no harm done if I spill something on it. 🙂
Darryl C
Don’t have an Instant Pot, BUT do have a small Pressure cooker… What would the differance be???
Shawn
And Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker among other things. So it should work the same way.
Darryl C
I made it with my Fagor 10 qt pressure cooker… Since I wasn’t sure how long I followed my pot’s instructions – 15 minutes —YUMMY!!!
Shawn
Fantastic!
Becky
Could you do double in a 6qt? Trying to figure out if I should buy a 6qt or 8, because generally it’s just me and my husband.
Shawn
I’ve been able to make 1 1/2 racks in a 6 quart.
Lynn
I have the 6qt Crock Pot brand Pressure cooker And it is Plenty Big Enough For my Family of 3
Lisa
I made this recipe tonight! FABULOUS! My only question? Can I cook 2 racks at the same time in my 8 quart and do I adjust the time?
Jacqueline Taylor
Brand new to IP. Just got it a few days ago. The rack that came with the IP does not keep the ribs out of the liquid. How did you do this? Thanks!
Debi
it’s ok if they touch the liquid you are using. They come out amazing, eating them right now 🙂
LuAnne Wells
First recipein our new Instant Pot….falling off the bone…delicious!!
Debbie
Tried these tonight and they did not disappoint. I didn’t have the liquid smoke, I’ll try it with next time! Really good!
Christine Jones
I made these ribs this evening for dinner and they were excellent. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe. I am always looking for new recipes for my Instant Pot and this one is definitely a keeper.
Doug
Mine turned out great..the Apple Cider Vinegar was a little strong. I will try another liquid next time. Maybe beer. Thanks for sharinf
Samantha
These were fantastic, however mine were so tender it was hard pulling the ribs out because they were falling apart! Could I cut the ribs in half and stack them that way or do you suggest sticking with wrapping them on their side?
Colette Singla
I made these ribs last night for the first time…. they were so moist… I love that recipe. Very easy and fast… Thank you for sharing.
Anna
Made these tonight and they were great! First time cooking ribs was a huge success! Thank you for sharing!
Shawn
Yay! So glad you enjoyed it!