These Instant Pot Barbecue Ribs are sticky, saucy, savory, sweet, and sooo tender. Fall-off-the-bone tender. They’re done in 30 minutes, with only 6 simple ingredients.
Easy Instant Pot Barbecue Ribs Recipe
Baby back ribs have been one of my favorite comfort food for years now, so I started making them at home. But to be honest, sometimes the outdoor grilling isn’t an option so I decided to try to make them in the Instant Pot.
The Instant Pot Barbecue Ribs turned out finger-lickin’ good!
The best part is that they are steamed to perfection in minutes, not hours!!
At first, I was a bit worried that they wouldn’t get nice and crunchy and brown, but the magic happens after a few minutes under the broiler.
They turn into these gorgeous looking, tender, fall-off-the-bone perfection!!
Sooo good, there are not enough words to describe.
EAST INSTANT POT RIBS INGREDIENTS
You’ll need only 6 ingredients:
- Baby back ribs
- Barbecue meat rub (homemade or store-bought)
- Vegetable broth
- Apple juice
- Liquid smoke (optional but recommended)
- Barbecue sauce (your favorite brand)
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and instructions (scroll down).
HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT RIBS?
The beauty of this recipe is that these ribs are done in the Instant Pot. The result is a delicious, succulent, fall-off-the-bone rib meal.
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- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs.
- Rub the ribs with the meat rub. Be generous.
- Place the baby back ribs into the Instant Pot. Add vegetable broth, apple juice, and liquid smoke (if using). Close lid and set to cook on “manual” mode 20 minutes. When the time is over, turn it off and let the pressure release on its own, this will take about 8-10 minutes. Carefully turn the vent to “Venting,” just to release any extra pressure that might still be in there. Then remove the lid.
- Preheat oven broil.
- Transfer cooked ribs to a large baking sheet. Brush barbecue sauce all over the baby back ribs on all sides including the bones. Broil for 5 – 8 minutes, or until the sauce caramelizes.
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and instructions (scroll down).
WHAT TYPE OF RIBS Are best to make barbecue Ribs?
I prefer baby back ribs because they are smaller, more tender. However, you can also use spare ribs if you prefer them bigger and meatier.
HOW TO REMOVE MEMBRANE FROM THE BACK OF RIBS
- Insert a table knife under the silverskin anywhere along the rack. Lift and loosen it with the knife until you can grab it with a paper towel.
- Pull it off the ribs; it should peel away in one large piece, but if it breaks, repeat step one.
CAN I MAKE TWO RACKS OF RIBS IN THE INSTANT POT?
Yes, you can make two racks, just double the meat rub and barbecue sauce quantity, but keep the same amount of liquid (broth, apple juice, and liquid smoke) underneath. Increase the cooking time to 30 minutes.
HOW LONG DO YOU PRESSURE COOK RIBS?
It will depend on how you like your ribs! Adjust the Instant Pot cooking time according to your preference:
- 15 minutes for tender with a bit of chew,
- 20 for tender but not falling off the bone,
- 25 minutes to fall off the bone ribs.
Broil for crisp and caramelized ribs
After the ribs are finished cooking in the Instant Pot, you only need to smother the ribs with plenty of BBQ sauce and throw ’em on the broil to get that beautiful char and smoky flavor.
Don’t skip this step! So brush them with BBQ sauce and place them under the broiler for 5 – 8 minutes, or until the sauce caramelizes.
WHAT TO SERVE BARBECUE RIBS WITH?
- Easy Creamy Coleslaw
- Easy Garlic Lemon Roasted Potatoes
- Soft No Knead Eggless Dinner Rolls
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Easy Cheesy Garlic Hasselback Potatoes
Looking for more Instant Pot recipes?
- Instant Pot Cuban Pulled Pork
- Easy Instant Pot Stroganoff Meatballs
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Barbecue Ribs
- Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork
- Instant Pot Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs
- Easy Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
- Instant Pot Hawaiian Pineapple Pork
- More Recipe
Instant Pot Barbecue Ribs
Ingredients
- 1 rack baby back ribs
- 4 - 6 tablespoons barbecue meat rub (store-bought or homemade) (see notes below for homemade)
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 cup apple juice
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke (optional but recommended) (see notes)
- 1 ½ cup barbecue sauce (your favorite brand)
Instructions
- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs.
- Rub the ribs with the meat rub. Be generous.
- Place the baby back ribs into the Instant Pot. Add vegetable broth, apple juice, and liquid smoke (if using). Close lid and set to cook on “manual” mode 20 minutes. When the time is over, turn it off and let the pressure release on its own, this will take about 8-10 minutes. Carefully turn the vent to “Venting,” just to release any extra pressure that might still be in there. Then remove the lid.
- Preheat oven broil.
- Transfer cooked ribs to a large baking sheet. Brush barbecue sauce all over the baby back ribs on all sides including the bones. Broil for 5 – 8 minutes, or until the sauce caramelizes.
- Serve.
Video
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Insert a table knife under the silverskin anywhere along the rack. Lift and loosen it with the knife until you can grab it with a paper towel.
- Pull it off the ribs; it should peel away in one large piece, but if it breaks, repeat step one.
- 15 minutes for tender with a bit of chew,
- 20 for tender but not falling off the bone,
- 25 minutes to fall off the bone ribs.
- Instant Pot Cuban Pulled Pork
- Easy Instant Pot Stroganoff Meatballs
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Barbecue Ribs
- Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork
- Instant Pot Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs
- Easy Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
- Instant Pot Hawaiian Pineapple Pork
- More Recipe
Nutrition
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- Instant Pot
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- Kitchen Tongs
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- Baking Sheet
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- Chef Knife
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Originally posted June 2017, photos replaced on May 2020 and post content edited to add more helpful information, no change to the recipe.
