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4.7 from 384 votes

Instant Pot BBQ Ribs

These Instant Pot BBQ Ribs are fall off the bone tender, delicious, and super sticky from a delicious Whiskey BBQ sauce. But most importantly they will be on your dinner table in under an hour!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 491 kcal
Course: Main Course , Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For Dry Rub
  • 1 tablespoon dry mustard
  • 1½ tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cumin ground
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper ground
  • 2 teaspoon salt
For Ribs
  • 2 racks baby back pork ribs (about 3 to 4 lbs)
  • 4 cups apple juice
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoon liquid smoke
For BBQ Sauce
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce store bought
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup whiskey
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 
  • 1 tablespoon liquid smoke

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Prepare the dry rub by combining all the dry rub ingredients together in a small bowl.
  2. Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs with a paper towel. Season the baby back ribs with the dry rub generously on both sides. 
  3. Place the ribs inside the Instant Pot, standing up and wrapping around the Instant Pot. 
  4. Pour the apple juice, apple cider vinegar and liquid smoke inside the Instant pot, no need to stir. Close the lid (follow the manufacturer's guide for instructions on how to close the instant pot lid). Set the Instant Pot to the Meat/Stew setting and set the timer to 20 minutes.
  5. Once the Instant Pot cycle is complete, wait until the natural release cycle is complete, should take about 15 minutes. Follow the manufacturer's guide for quick release, if in a rush. Carefully unlock and remove the lid from the instant pot.
  6. While the ribs are cooking prepare the BBQ sauce. In a small saucepan add all the BBQ sauce ingredients and stir to combine. Simmer on low heat for about 20 to 25 minutes, the sauce should reduce a bit. 
  7. Carefully remove the ribs from the Instant Pot and place them onto a baking sheet. Brush them generously with the prepared BBQ sauce on both sides and place under the broiler for about 5 minutes. Keep the door to your oven open while broiling the ribs and keep an eye on them, because they could burn quickly.
  8. Serve with leftover BBQ sauce.

Notes

  • I strongly recommend reading the manufacturer's guide for instructions on how to use your Instant Pot before attempting this recipe.  
  • If stored properly in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in aluminum foil, these ribs will last 3 - 4 days in the fridge. You can also freeze this recipe, for 2 - 3 months wrapped tightly in foil before thawing in the microwave or in cold water. Reheat in the oven and slather in sauce.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 491kcal (25%) Carbohydrates 36g (12%) Protein 33g (66%) Fat 20g (31%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Cholesterol 125mg (42%) Sodium 1072mg (45%) Potassium 850mg (24%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 29g (58%) Vitamin A 825IU (17%) Vitamin C 2.6mg (3%) Calcium 75mg (8%) Iron 2.5mg (14%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 491

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 491kcal 25%
Carbohydrates 36g 12%
Protein 33g 66%
Fat 20g 31%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 125mg 42%
Sodium 1072mg 45%
Potassium 850mg 18%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 29g 58%
Vitamin A 825IU 17%
Vitamin C 2.6mg 3%
Calcium 75mg 8%
Iron 2.5mg 14%

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