Name: Easy Instant Pot Ribs Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Ingredients: 3 tbsp brown sugar; 1 tbsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika); 1 tsp fine sea salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp ground mustard; 1/2 tsp celery salt; 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper; 1 rack baby back ribs (rinsed and patted dry); 1 1/2 cups chicken broth (beef broth or water); 1/2 cup bbq sauce

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Instant Pot ribs make for an easy, meaty meal! The meat is fall off the bone tender. Makes a super, easy weeknight meal or a fun summer bbq addition!

Instant Pot ribs on foil falling off the bone

WHY MAKE RIBS IN THE INSTANT POT

I’m madly in love with all things food, obviously, but there are foods that make me extra excited. Fall-off-the-bone ribs slathered in delicious barbecue sauce make me swoon. Bring on the sticky fingers! They could not possibly turn out more perfectly. They. Are. DELICIOUS.

You will want to make this rib recipe on busy week nights because:

They are great to bring along to summer bbqs or gatherings of any kind.
You’ll love that it frees up space on the grill or valuable oven room
They secretly cook in the corner while you get other things accomplished.

Ribs on foil sitting next to Instant Pot

HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT RIBS

STEP 1

In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, celery salt and cayenne pepper and mix spice rub together. Rub over the entire surface of the rack of ribs.

STEP 2

Pour the broth or water into the Instant Pot and place trivet inside Instant Pot. Bend the ribs so that the ends are nearly touching and place in the IP on end.

Uncooked pork ribs with spices rubbed all over

STEP 3

Place the cover on the pot and set timer to 25 minutes on high pressure (use the pressure cook setting). It will take the Instant Pot around 12 minutes to build up pressure before it begins cooking.

When cooking time is done, let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes then do a Quick Release. Let the float valve drop and remove the cover.

STEP 4

Place the ribs on a baking sheet and brush the bbq sauce over the entire surface (both sides). At this point, either: 1. serve! or 2. Broil for 3 minutes per side and then serve!

RECIPE NOTES: INSTANT POT RIBS

Add a few drops of liquid smoke to the pot before cooking for an extra smoky flavor.
When you remove the ribs from the pot after cooking, lift them out carefully! The meat will be so tender that it will be easy to tear it from the bone. Use two sets of tongs or have someone help by lifting one side while you lift the other.
I highly recommend broiling the ribs just before serving. Transfer the ribs directly from the Instant Pot to a baking sheet. Brush both sides generously with your favorite bbq sauce and broil for 3 minutes. This adds an extra touch of crispy yumminess that I LOVE. If you don’t have time for this step, I promise the ribs will still taste amazing.
Double the ingredients for the dry rub so it’ll be ready to use next time! There will be a next time!
Use your favorite brand of bbq sauce for these ribs! This is your chance to put your own spin on the recipe. If you love spicy, use a spicy variety of sauce. If you love sweet and savory, use a sweeter variety.

WHAT GOES WITH BBQ RIBS?

I think of ribs as a summer food, but really they work any time of the year. No matter when they are made, there are a handful of side dishes that taste absolutely perfectly alongside them.

Instant Pot ribs with bbq sauce broken apart

WHICH PORK RIBS ARE BEST FOR THIS RECIPE

Baby back ribs (also called back ribs) are one of the best options for making bbq ribs. They are lean and meaty, making them super delicious. If using baby back ribs, remove the membrane before cooking. See Weber’s instructions for removing membranes here.

Pork spareribs are a great option, as well, but are a little bit less meaty than baby back ribs and contain more fat. However, they are also one of the most flavorful and tender types of pork ribs you’ll find!

HOW TO STORE AND FREEZE LEFTOVER RIBS

Wrap tightly in foil or store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To extend the life of the ribs, wrap tightly in foil and place in a resealable freezer bag. Freeze for up to 4 months.

When you are ready to enjoy them, let them thaw completely in the fridge. Place the ribs, wrapped in foil, on a baking sheet and bake at 250 degrees F for 20 minutes, or until completely heated through. Brush with additional bbq sauce, if desired.

WHAT ELSE TO SERVE FOR BRUNCH AT HOME

Brunch is one of my favorite things in the world. Brunch contains the best collection of foods on the planet, which is why it is so popular among the masses. And we can’t forget that alcohol is totally acceptable at brunches, too! Woo!

Make Homemade Bagels using only 5 ingredients and in 20 minutes from start to finish! NO YEAST or rising or waiting required. These easy bagels are soft, flavorful and taste great with savory or sweet toppings.
You have just met your new go-to Blueberry Muffins recipe! These muffins turn out great every time, they are moist and totally packed with blueberries. These are the PERFECT treat to adorn your brunch spread!
Like brunch itself, this recipe is a combo of two types of meals, making it the perfect brunch fare. Breakfast Pizza combines with eggs, spinach, bacon and goat cheese? Yes, please!
I have been making (and perfecting) this BEST Breakfast Casserole for YEARS and it is one of my all-time favorite breakfast foods. This is perhaps my favorite thing ever to make for brunches.
Transform french toast into a Mixed Berry Croissant Breakfast Bake! The croissants add such a delicious buttery texture. Let it sit in the fridge overnight so it is ready to bake the next day!

Fingers holding saucey ribs with pork meat

BEST RECIPES TO MAKE IN AN INSTANT POT

The list of recipes you can make in an Instant Pot is endless! It can act as a slow cooker, saute pan, steamer, rice maker, yogurt maker and pressure cooker. Here are a few of my favorite Instant Pot recipes:

WHY DOES IT TAKE MY INSTANT POT SO LONG TO HEAT UP?

The time leading up to actual cook time may seem long and even confusing (“What is going ON in there?!”), but it’s an important part of the process! The Instant Pot is working on building up the appropriate amount of pressure that it will be cooking the food at.

It handles liquids and solids differently and also fresh and frozen differently, so the time can vary. Most recipes take between 10 and 25 minutes to build up pressure.

Easy Instant Pot Ribs Recipe