This Instant Pot Ribs with Apple Juice recipe produces juicy ribs with a slightly sweet hint. The meat is fall off the bone tender, and makes a super, easy weeknight meal or a fun summer bbq addition. If you love your pressure cooker, this will become your new go-to ribs recipe.
Original post: June 2019 | Updated: June 2021
Why This Recipe Works
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! These fantastic ribs could not possibly turn out more perfectly. Here are just a few reasons I love this recipe so much.
- Tender ribs that’ll make any meat lover swoon.
- These pressure cooker ribs are great for summer bbqs or gatherings of any kind.
- Pressure cooking ribs frees up space on the grill or valuable oven space.
- They secretly cook in the corner while you get other things accomplished.
- Just a few simple ingredients and a few minutes of prep are required.
Recipe Ingredients
Meat rub – The perfect combination of spices and seasonings for ribs contains brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, celery salt and cayenne pepper. Omit the cayenne pepper for a less spicy rub.
Double the ingredients for the dry rub so it’ll be ready to use next time! There will be a next time!
Ribs – Use 1 rack of baby back ribs rinsed and patted dry.
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, spare ribs are also one of the most flavorful and tender types of pork ribs you’ll find!
Apple juice – This ingredient is the star of the show. For an even stronger apple flavor, replace the broth with apple juice, as well.
Broth – You can use chicken broth, beef broth, vegetable broth or water interchangeably.
BBQ sauce – 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.
Purchase your favorite store-bought brand or make your own homemade barbecue sauce.
How To Make Instant Pot BBQ 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 apple juice, broth or water into the Instant Pot and place trivet inside Instant Pot. Bend the seasoned ribs so that the ends are nearly touching and place ribs in the pot on their end. The meaty side should be facing out, while the bone side creates the inner loop.
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, do a natural release for 10 minutes. After that, turn the pressure release valve to do a Quick Release. Let the float valve drop and remove the cover.
Step 4
Place the Instant Pot pork ribs on a baking sheet and brush the bbq sauce over the entire surface (both sides) using a basting brush. At this point, either: 1. serve! or 2. Broil for 3 minutes per side and then serve!
Recipe Notes
- Add a few drops of liquid smoke to the pot before cooking for an extra smoky flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar is not a great replacement for the apple juice.
- 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.
How Long for Instant Pot To Pressurize
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.
How To Store and Freeze Leftover Ribs
Wrap tightly in aluminum 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 To Serve 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.
- Check out this roundup of sides to serve with ribs as a comprehensive guide!
- Easy Coleslaw
- Potato Salad
- Baked Beans
- Deviled Eggs
- Chopped Salad
Best Instant Pot Recipes
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 electric pressure cooker. Here are a few of my favorite Instant Pot recipes:
Will you help add value to Pip and Ebby?
If you make this recipe and love it, stop back and give it a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!
Instant Pot Ribs with Apple Juice Recipe
Equipment
- Instant Pot
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
- 3/4 cup apple juice
- 3/4 cup chicken broth beef broth or water
- 1/2 cup bbq sauce
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, celery salt and cayenne pepper; mix well. Rub mixture over the entire surface of the rack of ribs.
- Pour the apple juice, 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.
- Place the cover on the pot and set timer to 25 minutes on high pressure (pressure cook setting). It will take the IP 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.
- 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!
Notes
- Add a few drops of liquid smoke to the pot before cooking for an extra smoky flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar is not a great replacement for the apple juice.
- 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.
Incredible recipe! Will be making this again and again and again.