Instant Pot Ribs

Tender instant pot ribs are pressure cooked for 24 minutes into flavorful, smokey, finger-licking pork ribs that are melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Why this recipe works

This recipe for instant pot ribs uses baby back ribs that have been seasoned with a flavor-packed wet rub consisting of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, and liquid smoke that’s popped into the pressure cooker until they’re fall-apart tender. Don’t forget to smother them in your favorite barbecue sauce to top it all off.

We’ve shown you how to cook instant pot beef ribs and instant pot beef short ribs, but today is the day we welcome pork back ribs to the arsenal. Instant pot pork ribs, or baby back ribs, are incredibly tender when cooked right and are among some of our favorite cuts of pork alongside bacon of course.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

PORK – We are using pork baby back ribs in this recipe, also known as pork back ribs. Note that if you end up using a different cut of ribs, the cook time may differ from what’s listed in this recipe. 

ADDITIONS – You can use water in place of the apple cider vinegar if desired. The apple cider vinegar will help tenderize the meat as it pressure cooks. The liquid smoke will add a smokey flavor to the ribs, just like they were cooked straight in the smoker. However, you can omit it if you can’t seem to find it in stores – but I promise it is entirely worth it!

How to Make Instant Pot Ribs

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Rinse ribs and pat dry with paper towels.
2. In a medium bowl, combine all dry ingredients.
3. Add liquid smoke and olive oil to form a wet rub.
4. Use gloved hands to rub mixture on all areas, top and bottom, of the rib.
5. Pour apple cider vinegar and water into the Instant Pot and put rack in place.
6. Place entire rack of ribs into the Instant Pot, curving them to fit.
7. Place lid on pot and cook on high pressure for 24 minutes using a natural release.
8. Slather on barbecue sauce of your choice and cut into portions.
   
   EXPERT TIP – When cutting the ribs into portions, use the sharpest knife you have as the meat will be very tender. A sharp knife will make it easier to cut through without actually knocking the meat off the bones.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Serving Suggestions

Serve instant pot ribs with coleslaw, corn on the cob, baked potatoes, mac and cheese, cornbread, or baked beans on the side. Have a few napkins handy for cleaning up messy hands and faces! 

More Related Recipes

• Rib Tips
• Oven Beef Ribs
• Sirloin Pork Roast
• Instant Pot Pulled Pork
• Country Style Ribs

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Instant Pot Ribs

Baby back ribs are incredibly tender when cooked right and are among some of our favorite type of ribs to pressure cook. Get ready for a blast of flavorful, tender pork ribs that fall off the bone!

5 from 5 votes

IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!

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Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 servings

51 minutes mins

Calories: 569

Author: Amanda Davis

Ingredients

• ▢ 3 pound slab of pork baby back ribs
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon onion powder
• ▢ 2 teaspoons salt
• ▢ 2 teaspoons pepper
• ▢ ½ Tablespoon cayenne pepper
• ▢ ½ Tablespoon brown sugar
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons liquid smoke
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ ½ cup water
• ▢ ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• ▢ barbecue sauce of your choice for topping

Things You’ll Need

• ▢
  Instant pot
• ▢
  Vinyl gloves
• ▢
  Tongs

Before You Begin

• Be careful when removing the ribs from the Instant Pot as they will be very tender.
• When cutting the ribs into portions, use the sharpest knife you have as the meat will be very tender. A sharp knife will make it easier to cut through without actually knocking the meat off the bones.
• Store leftover baby back ribs in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Instructions

• Rinse ribs and pat dry with paper towels.
• In a medium bowl, combine all dry ingredients.
• Add liquid smoke and olive oil to form a wet rub.
• Use gloved hands to rub mixture on all areas, top and bottom, of the rib.
• Pour apple cider vinegar and water into the Instant Pot and put rack in place.
• Place entire rack of ribs into the Instant Pot, curving them to fit.
• Place lid on pot and cook on high pressure for 24 minutes using a natural release.
• Slather on barbecue sauce of your choice and cut into portions.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (3/4 pound or about 4 ribs) | Calories: 569cal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 148mg | Sodium: 1372mg | Potassium: 637mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1175IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 2mg

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