Instant Pot Ribs

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Instant Pot Ribs are the most tender, succulent, fall-off-the-bone ribs I’ve ever had!

Not only are they delicious, they’re so easy to make and  are so fast to make compared to my usual ribs!

We sauce these up with our favorite BBQ sauce or even just salt & pepper them for a dry rib that is out of this world!

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These tender ribs are cooked in the Instant Pot to achieve the most tender ribs in the least amount of time!  If you’re not familiar with it, you can read more about the Instant Pot here (in a nutshell, the Instant Pot is a new and easy to use pressure cooker)! You can find them at most stores (or get one online here).

How long do you pressure cook ribs?

Baby back ribs are truly one of my favorite meals (and the king of pork ribs).  They’re perfectly tender and delicious and great on the grill (or broiled if you live in a place that’s snowy half the year like I do).

Ribs aren’t hard to cook, they just take time.  As far back as I can remember, I have cooked my ribs in the oven low and slow.  Much like a pork shoulder or tough cut of meat,  a low slow heat breaks down the fibers and creates a tender juicy rib.

When boiling or pre-cooking ribs, you’re looking at least a couple of hours at least to get them totally tender. In walks Instant Pot: mic drop.

Seriously though, I have to say that these Instant Pot baby back ribs as good as my usual oven baked ribs, but I might like them more because it’s SO fast!  YUP.  I said it.  They’re fall off the bone, melt in your mouth, gimme some more, amazing and tender.

I cook my Instant Pot ribs for about 23 minutes (26 if they’re extra meaty) and about 32 minutes from frozen.

How to Make Instant Pot Ribs

The best Instant Pot ribs start with baby back ribs as they’re so tender.  I always rinse the ribs (to remove any bone chips or debris) and then remove the membrane.  The membrane very thin and located on the back of the ribs.  Simply slide your knife under it to get ahold of it and then pull it off.

Once you’ve pulled it off, cut your slabs of ribs into two or 3 pieces (depending on the size) as they’ll need to fit into the Instant Pot. Combine your spice rub and massage it into the ribs on both sides.

You’re going to use the trivet with your ribs so they’re not sitting in the liquid, if you don’t have one you can prop them up on the onion slices.

Finally add the liquid to the bottom of the slow cooker and the ribs, seal and cook. Once the ribs are nice and tender, you’re going to allow them to naturally release for a little bit and then add sauce & broil them to crisp up a bit.

How do you do natural release on instant pot?

When making an Instant Pot recipe, you’ll need to either quick release or natural release the pressure before opening it.

Natural release on the Instant Pot means you allow the pressure to gradually release without opening the valve. Once your Instant Pot finishes the cooking, it will beep and then it will start counting up on the keep warm mode.  This recipe has a natural release time of 10 minutes so once the timer shows 10 minutes, you can then open the valve to release the rest of the pressure.

Can you put frozen food in the instant pot?

Yes you sure can! I make these Instant Pot ribs right from frozen.  You’ll want to make sure you cut them into the right size and add the rub prior to freezing.

Just pop them into the Instant Pot frozen and follow the recipe as directed.

Serve these easy Instant Pot Ribs with Dill Pickle Pasta Salad, some easy 30 Minute Dinner Rolls and corn on the cob for the perfect meal!

Yield: 4 servings

Total Time: 1 hour

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Instant Pot Ribs

Tender fall off the bone baby back ribs are made easy in the Instant Pot! Add your favorite barbecue sauce (or olive oil/salt/pepper) for a finger licking good meal!

Print Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 rack baby back ribs (about 1 1/2- 2lbs)
• 1 cup broth (or water)
• 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)
• 4 cloves garlic, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 6 tablespoons dry rub
• barbecue sauce (optional)

Dry Rub

• 2 tablespoon paprika
• 2 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons lemon pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons oregano

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Directions:

1. Rinse ribs and pat dry. Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs.
2. Cut slab into 2-3 pieces (enough so they fit into the Instant Pot) and coat with dry rub massaging it into the meat.
3. Place trivet (or rack) in the bottom of your Instant Pot. Add broth or water and liquid smoke if using.
4. Set ribs upright on the trivet (so they are not stacked on top of one another).  Sprinkle with onion and garlic.
5. Close lid and select manual pressure and set the timer for 23 minutes (25 minutes if they’re extra meaty). Once done, allow the instant pot to natural release for 5 minutes.
6. Open valve to release remaining pressure.
7. Brush with barbecue sauce (or olive oil/salt/pepper for dry ribs) and broil or grill until slightly charred.

Notes:

If cooking ribs from frozen, increase cook time to 32 minutes.

Nutritional information does not include BBQ Sauce.

 

Nutrition Information

Yield: 4 servings, Serving Size:

• Amount Per Serving:
• Calories: 508 Calories

(Nutriton information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)

©Holly Nilsson for SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

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About the author

Holly

Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!

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