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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Anna
My electric smoker died today so I gave this recipe a shot. Not impressed! Do yourself a favor… skip the chili powder, cumin, and cayenne in the rub and replace with paprika
Shawn
Sorry you didn’t enjoy the flavor of the rib rub. Feel free to switch it up in the future with the paprika you suggested. We happen to thoroughly enjoy the delicious flavors in the rib rub. 🙂
Renee
Agreed! Rub is a favorite at our house as well. We prefer Sweet Baby Ray’s for the final broil, but this is now a house favorite, and my reason for using an InstaPot. Thanks!
Sandra
Very delicious! So fast and good. My entire family enjoyed them.
Shawn
Awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Jayne
Wow 5 star supper! Awesome! Tender and tasty!
Shawn
Awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed them.
Barbara
Sweet baby rays bbq sauce
Destiny
What bbq sauce do you use to put on ribs? I know there is too many options to choose from.
Amy
I’ve used this and similar recipes for baby back and country style pork ribs, always turns out great. My issue with the IP recipes, however, is that the timing never accounts for the time for the IP to come to pressure…which can be a while if you’re not sauteing something first (as in this recipe). I wish all the recipes would come with more definitive start-to-serving estimated times!
Mark Craig
I made this recipe and they came out tough, followed to the “T” except about 3.5lbs of ribs. Any idea why? More time for more meat? Bad/ inferior ribs?
Shawn
Extra meat will take more time in the Instant Pot. 40 min. at pressure for 3.5 lbs. meat should do it. Hope this helps!
mark
making tomorrow can i finish them on grill instead of broiler
Shawn
Absolutely! I hope you enjoy them.
Holly
This is my “GO TO” recipe for ribs. WE LOVE THEM! I think I may have commented before, but I had to do it again. Don’t need the parsley. I never use dried parsley. I only use fresh in the house. But I don’t think it would add to the recipe greatly, so I never add it.
Keep up the great blog! Happy Cooking!
LoloDago
Absolutely delicious-family favorite and so easy. Thanks so much for recipe!
Shawn
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Shawn
I’m happy to hear you are enjoying it!
Jennifer B
We made these the other night and they were WONDERFUL! The only problem we had was all the little had evaporated and left a nasty bubbly crust in the bottom of the pot. I am having trouble getting it out. Any suggestions on next time???
Shawn
It sounds like you could have a sealing issue with your ring on the instant pot. Just make sure you are adding the full 1 1/2 cups of liquid to the pot before cooking. Hope this helps!
Renee
I used your recipe for my first ever IP meal. The ribs were cooked perfectly at 25 min with a 10 min natural release. I made the rub as posted and found it to be enough for 2 or 3 racks.-Next time I’ll use apple cider instead of apple cider vinegar because I didn’t care for the vinegar taste/aroma being so prevalent..
Shawn
Save that extra rub for the next time you make them. I tend to go a little heavy handed on the rub when I apply it. 😉 So glad you enjoyed the ribs!
Sandy
First time IP user and first recipe was yours! My husband was doubtful that these would come out the way you said….The first words out of my his mouth when he started digging in..? “Holy WOW these are good (insert bad word here but used in a good way) ribs! They were awesome, the seasoning was just right and they fell off the bone just like you said! Thanks for making my first experience a great one! Can’t wait to try more things!
Shawn
Haha! Love it! So glad you enjoyed the recipe Sandy!
Chris
My son loves ribs, but the hubby doesn’t care too much for bbq sauce. This recipe was super easy and OMG GOOD! Both my son and hubby asked me to add this to my recipe book! Thanks for sharing…
Debbie T
Hi, I don’t have an IP and I’m wondering if I can do ribs in my slow cooker. If so, what changes would I make. I’d love to serve these ribs for company next week! (No IP because I just simply have no more room for another appliance 🙁
Barbara Meserve
This is the perfect recipe- and in reply to Debbie who does not have an IP , I would give up bedroom closet to store one of these- so worth it.
Shawn
Haha! We definitely love our Instant Pot too!
Kim
I finally started using my IP, which I bought in 2015! If you are concerned about space, get an IP because it’s also a slow cooker! Seriously, why did I wait so long to use this appliance–the hype is real! (I’m going to be using this recipe for dinner, so this will be about 4 days this week I’ve used the IP!)
Sara
This is now my go-to recipe for ribs. I’ve never been able achieve tender fall-off-the-bone ribs before, and let me tell you…these are AMAZING! Super duper tender and so flavorful. This is one recipe that the entire family loves. My boys are picky about meat & will request seconds. I have 2 racks in the IP now and cannot wait for dinner!
Dee Dee
I’m headed to the store since ribs are on sale. I have an 8qt instant pot and I’m going to do 2 racks. Do I need more liquid and longer cooking time for the 8qt? Can’t wait to try these!!
Shawn
No extra liquid is needed, but I would increase the cook time to about 30 to 35 minutes depending on how thick the ribs are.
Caroline Godwin
It was truly delicious! with bone broth instead of water and the apple cider vinegar gave it a great flavor!!! Wonderful recipe
Allison
So I made these ribs a while ago and they were so good! I had lost the recipe and am so happy that I found it again 🙂 Definitely going to make the again soon!!!
Evelyn
OMG I just made this for the first time on my IP and they came out delicious and tender. Will definitely be making these again.
Shawn
Nice! So glad you enjoyed the ribs Evelyn!
Lisa
Thank you for making the recipe so easy to follow for the “instant pot newbie”! The ribs were so delicious!!!
Shawn
Welcome to the world of Instant Pot! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Sandy
I could not find the answer to the lady who asked what you can do if you don’t have an instapot. I don’t have one either, for the same reason she did….. I just don’t have room nor the extra money. Would it work in a regular Crock-Pot or would it be better to cook it in the oven
Shawn
I haven’t tested this recipe in a crock pot or oven so I don’t know what the results would be on this.
Dreea
I’m new to this. How do I do normal release and then “quick release”?
Will
When it finishes the finishing alarm will sound and then begin a new timer. Do nothing, this is the natural release, it is just slowly releasing the pressure without assisted ventilation. When the timer reaches 10 min, turn the valve located on the top of the Instant Pot. This is the rapid release.
Ruchi
Amazing recipe! Ribs turned out perfectly.
Quick question- if I wanted to make these ahead of time for a dinner party do I just keep them in the instant pot till I’m ready to serve them and just broil them with the barbecue sauce when I’m ready to serve? Otherwise can I take the ribs out of the instant pot, put the barbecue sauce on the ribs, put them back in the instant pot on ‘keep warm’ and then broil before serving?
Thanks so much!!! I’m new to instant pot ribs…I’ve always done them in the slow cooker:)
Shawn
I’m thinking you could cook them in the IP ahead of time, wrap them in foil and then reheat them in the oven before serving. I wouldn’t let them sit in the IP too long.
Melanie Reddy
Hi, I don’t have apple cider vinegar on hand. What can I use for a substitute or can I just put more water in?
Brian
I wonder if I could fit more than two racks of ribs in an 8 quart instant pot?
Lynda
Thank you so much for this recipe. I thought it was going to be too much rub. You are right, best ribs ever! I used a little red pepper flakes instead of cayenne. Perfect for my family.
Patty
First time I’ve ever made ribs. They were great and really easy! Hubby loved them!
Jane
made these last night and they were amazing. Will definitely do them again. thank you for sharing. Can’t wait to try more of your recipes.
Jewel
Is there a pressure set , high or low or is that automatically done when you set the meat button ? I’m a newbie to IP cooking.
Shawn
The meat button would be the same as High pressure.
Lynda
My “Meat Button” came up medium. I set for 23 min’s. PERFECT!!
Christie Kite
Made this tonight. At first i was alittle skeptical, since im an IP newbie.
I used chipotle pepper instead of cayenne, because its what i have! I also did 2 racks of ribs. And Woa! Yummy! After the ribs cooked in the IP, i threw new potatoes in the left over liquid, 8 mins, and voila! Easy side dish, too!
Calli
What size IP do you have? I have a 6 quart and was wondering if I could fit two?
Shawn
I have only been able to fit 1 1/2 racks into a 6 quart pot. But if the racks are on the smaller side, you might be able to squeeze two in there!
Rosemary Casale
Would St Louis style ribs that are 4 lbs take the same amount of time?
Shawn
I would increase the cook time by about 5 minutes to account for the thicker ribs.
Susie
Gotta say…my husband it PICKY when it comes to ribs. After more fails than I can count, I gave this recipe a shot. Love my Instant Pot so thought this recipe might be the ticket! It was me for the WIN! Both hubby and son gave it a thumbs up! I did 2 racks in the pot. I added 10 minutes to the cook time and left the rub on for about an hour prior to cooking. They were fall off the bone tender and fabulous! Thanks for finally giving me a recipe I can go back to!
Shawn
Yay! I love it when it’s a winner for the whole family!
Helena Orstem
made these last night and they were amazing. Will definitely do them again. thank you for sharing. Can’t wait to try more of your recipes.
Carol
Made these on 1/19/19 they turned out great. Family loved them. Since getting my pressure cooker this is the second time my husband said well we don’t have to go out for this anymore. Used 1 rack of baby back ribs and let the rub sit for about 30 minutes. Served these with home made scalloped potatoes and steamed broccoli. My son just got his braces worked on yesterday and is in some pain could even eat them.
Shawn
Isn’t it great that you don’t have to pay high restaurant prices for ribs anymore?! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
L
I’m an Instant Pot newbie. I’m making this right now. Just realized I hit the “pressure” button…..not the “meat” button as specified in the recipe. Hope that doesn’t make too big a difference in the outcome. Oops.
Shawn
You should be just fine!
Kelly
This recipe is amazing! Fall off the bone ribs that you don’t have to cook all day! These are a WIN in my house!
Pamela West
Made this recipe today and it was a hit! I did let the rub sit on the ribs for probably close to an hour. Not sure if that helped anything or not. But a very delicious recipe especially if you don’t want to spend all day smoking meat or for a bbq treat during the winter. I’m from Minnesota so yeah, it’s cold. Thank you!
Shawn
So glad you enjoyed the ribs!
Becky
Just curious – other instant pot recipes I have seen and used for ribs involve the ribs being nearly immersed in the liquid. This recipe specifically states to keep the meat out of the liquid. Is this just to try to imitate the effect of ribs done in a smoker or is there another reason?
EMILY
Do you put the ribs in frozen or thawed?
Desiree
I did thawed.
Shawn
You’ll want to use thawed ribs.
Mei
My family loves this recipe. Even my husband who doesn’t like vinegar flavors said that this recipe is a keeper. The ribs came out beautiful. Thank you Shawn for sharing this recipe.
Shawn
Sweet so glad you guys enjoyed the recipe!
Harry
Cooked 2 racks of baby back ribs for 25 minutes using Farberware 7-1 pressure cooker. 1 cup apple juice, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar. Store bought McCormick’s Pork rub. Meat easily fell off bones. Will try 20 minutes next time only because ribs were borderline difficult to transfer to broiler pan for bbq sauce. Excellent recipe.
Shawn
So glad you enjoyed it!
Desiree
I don’t even care what they taste like…the smell coming from my kitchen is incredible.
Michael
Meh, I used this recipe as I wanted to experiment with my Instant Pot. I used a 2.7lb rack of baby back ribs. Here is my input:
The cook time is too long. Less time in the Instant Pot and more time in the oven would have been a better call. Bake and then broil at the end.
The dry rub is pretty bland. I have some other dry rub recipes that I will try next time.
The liquid smoke did not invoke any smokiness in the ribs. Perhaps a bit mixed with mustard and rubbed into the ribs prior to adding the dry rub (mustard helps the dry rub stick to the ribs) might be a better call.
They were fall-apart tender, but I like a little more snap to the ribs thus the reduction in cooking time to suit my taste is probably called for.
Overall, not a terrible recipe, but in my case, following this exactly resulted in pretty bland ribs with no smokiness and a little too soggy for my taste.