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Best Instant Pot Ribs

Instant Pot Ribs are so tender they fall off the bone. The best part is that you can cook them from start to finish in just a little over an hour.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 230 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Dry Rub:
  • 1 tablespoon dry mustard
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon dill seeds
Cooking the Ribs:
  • 2 racks baby back pork ribs about 2lbs each*
  • 2 cups unsweetened apple juice
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons liquid smoke
  • 3 bay leaves optional
Homemade BBQ Sauce (optional):
  • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups ketchup preferably no sugar added
  • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 
  • 2 tablespoons dry mustard powder
  • 1 tablespoon paprika or smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce or more

Instructions

Dry Rub:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Add all the the dry rub ingredients in a medium bowl and using a fork whisk to combine.
  2. Dry the ribs with paper towels of excess liquid or blood.
  3. The ribs usually have a membrane on the back (the bony part of the ribs), remove it and discard it.
  4. Place the ribs on a cutting board, season generously with the dry rub on both sides, and use your hand to rub it all over the ribs.
Cooking the Ribs:
  1. Add juice, apple cider, and liquid smoke to the Instant Pot, and stir to combine. Add bay leaves.
  2. Add a small-legged trivet to the Instant Pot (optional, but I prefer to keep the ribs out of the liquid as much as possible).
  3. Place the ribs inside the Instant Pot, standing and pressing on the sides of the Instant Pot. If needed trim the ribs, also make sure you don't go over the Max fill line.
  4. Secure the Instant Pot lid, close and point the valve to Sealed.
  5. Cook on Manual, for 25-30 minutes on HP for thicker ribs if you want them to still have a slight pull when biting and be able to brown them on the grill or broil the rack without meat falling off the bone. You can do 35-40 minutes for extra tender, almost fall-of-the-bone ribs.
  6. Once the Instant Pot beeps, do a 15-minute Natural Pressure Release. Unlock and remove the lid from the instant pot.
Homemade BBQ Sauce (optional):
  1. While the ribs are cooking prepare the BBQ sauce. Add all the ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Stir and set aside.
  2. Or just use about 2 cups of store-bought BBQ sauce.
Broiling the ribs:
  1. Preheat oven on the Broiler setting.
  2. Carefully remove the ribs from the Instant Pot and place them onto a prepared baking sheet lined with aluminum foil for easy clean-up.
  3. Brush the ribs generously with either homemade BBQ sauce or store-bought BBQ sauce on both sides.
  4. Place under the broiler for about 6-10 minutes. Leave the light on, and keep a close eye on the ribs because they could burn quickly.
  5. Serve immediately with extra BBQ sauce.

Notes

  • These instant pot ribs are best if you pressure cook them on High for 25-30 minutes with a Natural Release of 15 minutes. This will give you tender ribs, with a slight bite, but not mushy.
  • However, if you want very soft, falling-off-the-bone, pull-apart meat, add 5-10 more minutes to the cooking time. Overcooked ribs can become dry and chewy, which is not how you want to serve them. With the exact cooking time, the ribs will turn out perfect.
  • Make sure you remove the membrane from the back of the ribs.
  • The dry rub is essential for the best flavor, so do not skip this step.
  • Another critical ingredient is the liquid smoke. You cannot get the smokey flavor without it.
  • Baby back ribs are the most tender and fit better in the Instant Pot.
  • Standing the ribs up in the instant pot is also important so they cook evenly.

Nutrition Information

Calories 230kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 49g (16%) Protein 12g (24%) Fat 10g (15%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Cholesterol 31mg (10%) Sodium 1210mg (50%) Potassium 636mg (18%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 38g (76%) Vitamin A 1206IU (24%) Vitamin C 4mg (4%) Calcium 95mg (10%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 230

% Daily Value*

Calories 230kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 49g 16%
Protein 12g 24%
Fat 10g 15%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 31mg 10%
Sodium 1210mg 50%
Potassium 636mg 14%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 38g 76%
Vitamin A 1206IU 24%
Vitamin C 4mg 4%
Calcium 95mg 10%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.