Instant Pot Ribs

Make these easy and delicious BBQ Instant Pot Ribs right in the Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Ribs

There are several dishes that I think the Instant Pot makes better than anything else, I’m adding ribs right to the top of the list! The Instant Pot shaves hours off the cooking time and you can cook two full racks of baby back ribs in a 6 QT Instant Pot. Start to finish, you can have these tasty ribs on the table in about 1 1/2 hours. That time includes prep, the pot coming to pressure, cook time and Natural Pressure Release.

How to Make Instant Pot Ribs

Start by seasoning the racks well and removing the membrane if still attached. Place the trivet that came with the Instant Pot in the bottom. Add beef broth, then fit both racks of ribs in the Instant Pot by curling them around each other until they form a spiral. Add your favorite barbecue sauce over the ribs, then add the lid and set the Instant Pot to high via manual mode for 30 minutes.

The Instant Pot is very full, so it will take 20-30 minutes to come to pressure. Once the ribs have cooked, do not release the pressure valve. The Instant Pot will take another 20 minutes to release the pressure naturally.

Remove the Membrane

Depending on where you purchase the ribs, they will likely have a thin membrane on the back of the rack. Use a butter knife to gently breakthrough and lift up the membrane on on side. Then use a paper towel to get a grip on the membrane and gently pull. It should come off in a complete sheet. If you don’t remove the membrane prior to cooking, it will get tough and chewy during cooking. I’ve noticed that ribs from Costco usually have the membrane removed beforehand, but I still double check!

Two Racks of Ribs in the Instant Pot

You can use this method to pressure cook one or two racks of ribs in the 6 QT Instant Pot. Just adjust the ingredients but keep the same cooking time.

Finish with a Broil

Carefully remove the ribs from the Instant Pot and place them on a baking sheet. Brush with liquid from the Instant Pot and additional barbecue sauce, then broil on high for a few minutes to finish them off and give them that delicious crust. I’m looking forward to finishing them off on our gas grill this summer.

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5 from 10 votes

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Instant Pot Ribs

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Natural Pressure Release

20 mins

Total Time

1 hr

 

Make these easy and delicious BBQ ribs right in the Instant Pot. 

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Instant Pot

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 racks baby back ribs about 3.75 pounds each
• 2 cups BBQ sauce plus more for serving
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
• kosher salt
• freshly ground coarse black pepper
• garlic powder
• all-purpose steak seasoning optional

Instructions

1. Remove membranes from baby back ribs. Use a butter knife to loosen and lift the edge of the membrane. Then use a paper towel to grab the membrane and pull off in full sheet.  

2. Season ribs generously with kosher salt, freshly ground pepper and a sprinkle of garlic powder on both sides. Sprinkle on brown sugar and season with additional all purpose steak-seasoning, if desired.

3. Add beef broth to 6 Qt Instant Pot, followed by trivet. Fit rib racks into Instant Pot curling them into each other with meaty parts facing out. Add beef broth to Instant Pot and pour barbecue sauce over ribs. Set Instant Pot to Manual, High Pressure for 30 minutes and make sure valve is set to sealing. Instant Pot will take 20-30 minutes to come to pressure and then countdown cooking time from there.

4. Once Instant Pot has counted down from 30 minutes, do not turn the pressure release valve. Let ribs Natural Pressure Release. This will take another 20-30 minutes. 

5. Once the pressure pins drops, carefully remove ribs from Instant Pot and place on baking sheet. Brush ribs with liquid from the Instant Pot and additional barbecue sauce. Broil ribs for about 5 minutes on high, watching carefully to prevent burning.