Get ready to satisfy your cravings with these fall-off-the-bone tender Instant Pot Ribs!
Made with just a few simple ingredients, these ribs are delicious, easy to prepare, fast to make, and extra tender.
Sauce these up with your favorite BBQ sauce, or even just salt & pepper.
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How to Choose Ribs
Making pork ribs in an Instant Pot is both quick and easy. There are two kinds of ribs that can be used in this recipe.
- Baby back ribs or back ribs are typically the most tender and flavorful option, but they can be pricier. If possible, I recommend choosing these ribs.
- Side ribs or spareribs are more budget-friendly and still yield tender and delicious results in the Instant Pot. They are a bit more meaty and have great flavor.
Cook from Fresh or Frozen
Much like Instant Pot pulled pork, the pressure cooker makes ribs tender in a fraction of the time compared to other methods. Best of all, no need to thaw them first. Instant Pot baby back ribs can be cooked right from frozen.
Be sure to add the rub and cut them to fit in the Instant Pot prior to freezing. Follow the recipe as directed adding 5 to 7 minutes extra when cooking from frozen.
How to Make Instant Pot Ribs
My family dubs these the best Instant Pot ribs, they’re so tender.
- Prep the Ribs: Remove the membrane if present and cut the racks of ribs into two or three pieces so they will fit in the Instant Pot. Rub with the spice rub.
- Cook in the Instant Pot: Place the ribs on a trivet in the Instant Pot and add some broth, onion and garlic. Cook per the recipe below.
- Finish the Ribs: Add salt & pepper and either homemade or prepared bbq sauce. Broil or grill for a few minutes to crisp up a bit if you’d like.
Prep Tip
Ribs have a very thin membrane located on the back of the ribs. It’s ok to cook with the membrane on, but I personally prefer to remove it.
To remove the membrane, simply slide a knife under it to get ahold of it, grip it with a paper towel if needed, and pull it off. If you can’t seem to find it, ribs sometimes come with the membrane already removed.
How to Natural Release on an Instant Pot
When using an Instant Pot, the pressure needs to be released before opening the lid. You can do this using Quick Release or Natural Release.
This recipe uses a 5-minute natural release, to allow the pressure to gradually come down. After cooking the timer will start to count up and once it reaches 5 minutes, carefully open the valve to release the remaining pressure.
Serve these easy Instant Pot Ribs with Dill Pickle Pasta Salad, some garlic bread, and corn on the cob for the perfect meal!
Pressure cooker ribs need about 23 to 26 minutes (26 if they’re extra meaty, like side ribs) and about 32 minutes from frozen.
Start by choosing the right ribs (back ribs are the most tender). To make ribs tender, cook them in a pressure cooker per the recipe below. You can also make tender ribs in the oven or slow cooker.
If you open the pressure cooker and the ribs are not tender, it means they need more time. To make ribs more tender, close the pressure cooker and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
Yes, Instant Pot ribs require liquid so it can build steam and create pressure.
Yes, you can add additional racks of ribs to the Instant Pot as long as they aren’t packed in tight. The cooking time will not need to be changed.
Best BBQ Sides
Did you love these Instant Pot Ribs? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 rack baby back ribs about 1 ½ to 2 pounds
- 1 cup chicken broth or water
- ½ teaspoon liquid smoke optional
- 4 cloves garlic sliced
- 1 onion sliced
- 6 tablespoons dry rub below
- barbecue sauce optional
Dry Rub
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry the rack of ribs. Use a knife to lift the edge of the thin membrane from the back of the ribs and remove it.
- Cut the slab into 2-3 pieces that are small enough to fit into the Instant Pot. Coat each piece generously with the dry rub mixture, and massage it into the meat.
- Add a trivet or rack to the bottom of your Instant Pot and pour in broth or water, along with liquid smoke if using.
- Stand the ribs upright on the trivet, so they are not stacked on top of one another. Sprinkle sliced onion and garlic over the ribs.
- Close the Instant Pot lid and select manual high pressure. Set the timer for 22 minutes (25 minutes for extra meaty or side ribs).
- Once the timer goes off, allow the Instant Pot to natural-release for 5 minutes. Open the valve to release any remaining pressure.
To Broil or Grill (optional)
- Turn the broiler on to high heat or the grill on to medium high heat.
- Brush the ribs with barbecue sauce (or olive oil/salt/pepper for dry ribs).
- If broiling, line a large baking pan with foil and place the ribs 4 to 6 inches from the broiler. If grilling, place the ribs directly on the grill. Cook until slightly charred, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dinner, Pork
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How much water are you supposed to add?
Hi Serena, you can either use 1 cup of broth or 1 cup of water. Enjoy!
Just made these. And let me tell you. These ribs were delicious. I followed the recipe as written. I used water because I didnt have broth. Awesome recipe.
I am so glad you loved them Mike, they still taste great with water. Enjoy!
I made ribs in my instant pot following this recipe minus the smoke flavor. My family went wild for them. It was so easy and so very tastey! I am new to pressure cooking. The instant pot is so easy. I just love it! Thanks for providing this recipe to make new a successful instant pot chef!
Yay! This is one of our favorite Instant Pot recipes and I’m so glad your family loved the ribs!
Just made ribs in my insta pot. My husband who usually doesn’t eat them had a second serving.
So glad your family enjoyed this recipe!
I’ve made this few times and I am currently making this and I plan on straining it to make the pot ribs. This Recipe is very good and Thanks for your help!
So glad you enjoy this recipe as much as we do Alicia!
Hi,
this absolutely looks delicious. Is liquid smoke necessary in this recipe? I don’t use it often and I am hoping not have to buy a whole bottle just for 1 dish.
You can leave it out if you’d prefer, there is a smoky flavor in the smoked paprika as well. Enjoy!
It would be helpful if you displayed a picture of the ribs in the Instant Pot – preferably before cooking.
The second picture in the post is a picture of the ribs in the instant pot before they are cooked. I hope that helps Sam!
Finally tried this recipe and it was a hit! We never eat ribs because they take way to long to cook. Love having a fast way to enjoy the same delicious meal! SWP Employee
So glad you loved them Samantha! Ribs can be a weekday dinner now :)
Hi Holly, I made these using the exact ingredient as written, however I use a 9 liter stove top pressure cooker (old school but very reliable). For clarification for other readers, I did cut the ribs apart between each bone (we have some rather meaty ribs here) and once rubbed, just tossed them onto the steamer tray, so that answers the questions if the ribs can be layered, certainly can. The time on pressure was 15 minutes.
These were not only liked by me, the Thai family loved these!!! This will certainly be a regular way I prepare ribs from now on. Worthy of 10 stars!
Aww thank you Lee, I’m so glad your family loved these! Thank you for sharing your tips for using a traditional pressure cooker!
So happy I stumbled upon your recipe! Ribs came out perfect. Thank you!
So glad you enjoyed them Lara!
Made this today with my favorite, the Dill Pickle Pasta……while the procedure was pretty spot on, and I did have to add a few minutes for meatier ribs, I wasn’t too impressed with the rub. Especially, because it totally lacked salt. Next time, I’d forego the rub, and just use my onion salt & pepper rub to cook them, then proceed with my homemade barbecue sauce on them under the broiler.
Best ribs I’ve ever had!!
thank you Holly! the rub was easy and now a great staple for me. I did the natural release and the ribs were perfect. Fall off the bone and moist.
my ribs were long and uneven therefore many were touching and they cooked just fine.
I did the broil in the oven to finish with BBQ sauce.
I am just a newbie with my instant pot so thanks for a great recipe
I am so glad you loved them Diane! A family favorite around here too!
Will two rack of ribs work? Will its cook if they are touching?
Yes, it should work fine. It will still cook if they’re touching.
Holly, what size Instant Pot do you recommend? I want to get this for my husband along with a slab of ribs…he will feel like he got 3.5 hours of his life back!
Mine is 6QT but as long as the ribs fit, it should work just fine! :)
This was my first Instant Pot dinner, and it was a big hit! My six year old and picky husband both said they’d definitely have again! Delicious with and without sauce! Thanks for the awesome recipe!
You’re welcome Allison!
What amazing flavors. I need to get an Instant Pot! It’s on my list of kitchen upgrades for this year!
Definitely get one Kate! You’ll be so glad you did.
Sounds like it would be great in a crock pot on low for eight hours. My roommates brought one of those Instant Pots home last Christmas—I think it’s time I learned to use it.
(I plan to surprise them with the ramen noodle pasta salad too!)
A great dinner idea I’d say Erich!
Can this recipe be cooked in a crockpot
I’ve only tried it as written. Let us know if you try it Mildred!
These made the most amazing fall of the bone ribs I’ve ever had! Love the recipe because it feels like a treat to be able to have ribs for dinner during the week after dinner instead of waiting to cook them for 4 hours over the weekend!! Ribs is definitely going to become a staple in our house! SWP Employee
So happy to hear that you loved these ribs Ayla! I agree that it’s such a treat to have them on a weekday!
I don’t have a pot pressure cooker what else can I use
I don’t have a pot pressure cooker can a slow cooker work
I haven’t tried this recipe in the slow cooker.
You can bake ribs in the oven using this recipe here.
Slow and low in the oven. 2 hours at 300 or 1hour at 350. I have a huge pot with a steam rack in it. I’ve been doing it this way for years. Tonight I’m trying the instant pot though. I’m very excited.