These Instant Pot Pork Ribs are the easy answer for full-flavored BBQ goodness!

The Instant Pot is the best for quickly cooking foods that would otherwise take a long time. Things like potatoes, carrots, and especially meats, like ribs, are done in no time.

Instant Pot Ribs on a plate with broccoli

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Even country style boneless ribs are cooked in a flash for an impromptu BBQ any time of year! Frozen ribs can be used, although they’ll take more time to cook. No worries! The Instant Pot does it all!

Perfect Pork Ribs

This Instant Pot ribs recipe is perfect for home cooks that might not have space for a standing barbecue grill on the deck or in the yard. Or, simply, when you’re looking for the most tender, amazing ribs around, it’s so easy to put together Instant Pot baby back ribs!

The end result will be a savory, mouthwatering taste with tender, juicy meat that just falls off the bone! We love to serve it with bow tie pesto salad and our popular jalapeno corn muffins.

Instant Pot Ribs in the pot before cooking

Are Baby Back Ribs Pork or Beef?

No need to get confused, pork baby backs are shorter than traditional ribs, which makes them the perfect size for the instant pot! And yes- they are definitely pork, although beef ribs can be made in the Instant Pot as well!

What are Baby Back Ribs?

Baby back ribs are the short ribs located where the rib meets the spine, near the upper back portion of the pig.

They are also leaner and more tender than other cuts of ribs.

What are the Different Kinds of Ribs?

Instant Pot spare ribs turn out better if you know what kind of ribs you are working with. Here’s a primer of rib terminology:

  • Baby Back: The short ribs located near the spine on the upper back of the pig.
  • Spare Ribs: Spare ribs are super popular because they are larger, super meaty, and are also cheaper to buy. They are ribs cut from the pig after the belly is removed. Sometimes they are trimmed in a more rectangular shape – this is called St. Louis style.
  • Country Style: Country-style ribs are boneless ribs, although a portion of the shoulder bone may be attached at the top of each rib.
  • Short Ribs: Short ribs are super popular because they have a really intense beefy flavor. They can be located on the chuck or rib areas of cows.

close up of Instant Pot Ribs on a grill cooked with sauce

How to Cook Ribs in an Instant Pot

We love this recipe for Instant Pot BBQ ribs because it’s so quick, cleanup is easy, and it delivers juicy results every time!

  1. Rinse off any bone fragments or “sand” that might be on the meat when it’s removed from the package. Cut the ribs to desired sizes and lightly oil and season the ribs.

Instant Pot Ribs getting brushed with sauce

  1. Prepare Instant Pot with trivet and place the ribs on the trivet. Add onions and garlic. Set the Instant Pot and cook, allowing a natural release.
  2. Brush ribs with your favorite BBQ sauce and place under the broiler or on the grill for about 5 more minutes.

cut up pieces of Instant Pot Ribs on a plate

How to Reheat Ribs

  1. Ribs keep in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 4 days after cooking.
  2. The best and fastest way to reheat ribs is to place them in the microwave until they are heated through again.
  3. Or place on a tray under the oven broiler for a few minutes to reheat.
Instant Pot Ribs on a plate with broccoli
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Instant Pot Ribs

These Instant Pot Pork Ribs are the perfect main dish, any day of the year!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 servings
Author Candace

Ingredients  

  • 1 rack baby back ribs approximately 2 pounds
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup chicken broth or beef broth
  • ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
  • 4 cloves garlic sliced
  • 1 onion sliced

Dry Rub

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl, mix together Dry Rub ingredients and set aside.
  • Rinse the ribs to remove any bone fragments, pat dry with a paper towel, and use the paper towel to pull off the thin membrane connecting the rib bones.
  • Cut rib rack into 2-3 rib pieces. Coat with olive oil, then Dry Rub mixture.
  • Place metal trivet (or rack) into Instant Pot and add broth and liquid smoke.
  • Set rib pieces on top of rack in an upright position. Toss in onion and garlic.
  • Seal the lid and select manual pressure. Set the timer for 23 minutes (25 minutes if they’re frozen or over 2 pounds). Allow Instant Pot to natural release for 5 minutes, then manually release.
  • Brush with barbecue sauce* (I LOVE Carolina Gold) and broil for 2-3 minutes, or grill on the BBQ until slightly charred, about 3-5 minutes.

Notes

*If you prefer dry ribs, brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper and grill or broil as directed.
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Nutrition Information

Calories: 412 | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 131mg | Potassium: 496mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1772IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.

Course Main Course
Cuisine American

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Instant Pot Ribs on a plate with broccoli and potatoes

Recipe adapted from Spend With Pennies

Instant Pot Ribs on a grill and plated with writing

 

 

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About the author

I am a wife, mother of two, and professional accountant. I love fantastic food, and it is so often the center of our lives, from everyday dinner, to family gatherings, and special evenings at fabulous restaurants. I have always loved cooking and baking, with my mom and grandma, and now, with my daughter and son. I love trying new recipes while enjoying my favorites too. I’m so happy to share them with you.
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