Instant Pot BBQ Baby Back Ribs

These Instant Pot BBQ Baby Back Ribs are the perfect way to enjoy tender, flavorful ribs without spending hours at the grill or smoker.

Coated in a smoky homemade dry rub, pressure cooked until perfectly tender, then finished with BBQ sauce under the broiler, these ribs come out juicy, saucy, and packed with bold flavor. They are easy enough for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough for cookouts, game day, or weekend family meals.

Why this recipe works

This recipe works because using an Instant Pot makes it easy to cook baby back ribs until they are tender and full of flavor in a fraction of the time it would take in the oven or on the grill.

Here is what else you will like about this recipe.

• The dry rub adds a balanced blend of sweet, smoky, and savory flavor, while the combination of water, apple cider vinegar, and liquid smoke helps keep the ribs moist and adds depth during pressure cooking.
• Finishing the ribs under the broiler with BBQ sauce creates that sticky, caramelized coating that gives them the classic BBQ rib texture and flavor everyone loves.
• Prepping this recipe takes just 15 minutes.
• Cooking these juicy and tender ribs takes just about 25 minutes.

Have you tried my recipe for Instant Pot No Drain Mashed Potatoes?

Made with Yukon gold potatoes, garlic, and butter, those potatoes are creamy and buttery, making them a perfect and simple comfort food. These baby back ribs would go great when served with those mashed potatoes for a perfect meal!

Liquid smoke is used in this recipe to give these ribs that perfect flavor. You can find liquid smoke here.

Ingredients needed.

Dry rub

• Cayenne Pepper Takes these ribs up a notch in flavor.
• Paprika Both regular Paprika and Smoked Paprika.
• Brown Sugar Dark works best but, light can work if needed.
• Thyme Dried, not fresh.
• Seasonings. Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Black Powder, and Salt.

Ribs

• Baby Back Ribs These fit nicely in a pressure cooker. If the membrane is still attached to the ribs,it should be removed to allow the dry rub to stick to the ribs.
• Water
• Apple Cider Vinegar Helps to make the rib meat tender.
• Liquid Smoke. Adds that smokey flavor to the ribs.
• Barbecue Sauce This is used for broiling the ribs to finish them off.

How to Bake Instant Pot BBQ Baby Back Ribs

• Prep Time 15 minutes.
• Cook Time 25 minutes .
• Servings 4 .
• How to serve : Serve warm with your favorite sides.
• Notes: You will need a small bowl and whisk to make the rub. I like to use food prep gloves for a recipe such as this one. Also, an instant pot trivet is helpful in this recipe.

1. Prepare. Prepare your ribs by removing the membrane. I like to use a clean paper towel to wipe any excess moisture etc off of the ribs. Also, place an Instant Pot Trivet, or similar item,into your pot. Lastly, you can prepare a rimmed baking sheet with foil, to be used for broiling.
2. Dry Rub. To make the dry rub, in a small bowl, use a whisk or fork to combine together the dry rub ingredients. Then apply the combined ingredients to the ribs, coating them well. Place the coated ribs into your instant pot. You may need to separate some ribs to allow them to fit.
3. Wet Ingredients. In a cup or bowl, use a fork or small whisk to combine together the water, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Liquid Smoke. Pour these ingredients over the ribs in the Instant Pot.
4. Cook. Seal your instant pot and cook with high pressure for 23 minutes. Gently release the pressure.
5. Broil. Transfer the cooked ribs to your prepared baking sheet. Use a pastry brush or similar item to brush a half cup of barbecue sauce. Broil the ribs for two to three minutes or until they get a nice crust.
6. Serve Serve your ribs with additional barbecue sauce and don't forget the napkins!

Tips for making the best pressure cooker baby back ribs

It is recommended that you remove the membrane from the ribs before preparing them for this recipe. Removing the membrane allows the seasonings and other ingredients to penetrate the meat for better and more tender ribs.

More helpful tips for you.

1. While you can easily cook the ribs just after applying the dry rub, allowing the rubbed ribs to sit for 20 minutes can really make the flavors pop.
2. Using a trivet helps to keep the ribs elevated above the liquid, allowing them to pressure cook properly instead of boiling. If your rib rack is too large for the Instant Pot, you can cut it into sections to fit more comfortably. Also, depending on the thickness of your ribs, you may need to pressure cook for an extra couple of minutes.
3. The broiler is what gives these ribs that sticky, caramelized BBQ finish that makes them taste like classic BBQ ribs.Keep an eye on the ribs while broiling to prevent burning. It only takes 2–3 minutes to achieve the desired golden crust.

FAQ

• Can I use spare ribs instead of baby back ribs in this recipe?
  Yes, but keep in mind that spare ribs are larger and meatier, so they may need a slightly longer cook time. Baby back ribs are ideal for this recipe because they cook quickly and fit well in the Instant Pot.
• Do I actually have to broil the ribs after pressure cooking?
  You but, can skip it. Broiling is highly recommended as it helps caramelize the BBQ sauce and gives the ribs that classic sticky BBQ finish.
• Can I make these ribs ahead of time?
  Yes! You can pressure cook the ribs ahead of time. Allow the ribs to fully cool and then cover and refrigerate them. You can broil the rinse with BBQ sauce just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
• How do I know when the ribs are done cooking in the pressure cooker?
  The ribs should be tender and easy to cut after pressure cooking, but still hold together enough to transfer to a baking sheet. After broiling, they should be hot, glossy, and lightly caramelized on top.
• What BBQ sauce works best in this recipe?
  You can use your favorite BBQ sauce! Sweet, smoky, spicy, or tangy sauces all work well, so you can customize the final flavor to your liking. Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce is a popular choice.

Variations.

• For spicier ribs, add extra cayenne pepper or use a spicy BBQ sauce.
• To make a sweeter flavored rib, increase the brown sugar in the dry rub or choose a sweeter honey-style BBQ sauce.
• For a smokier tasting rib, add a little extra liquid smoke or use a bold, smoky barbecue sauce when broiling.

How to store instant pot ribs with bbq sauce.

Once the ribs have fully cooled they can be stored in an airtight container. When properly stored and refrigerated, they should keep for up to four days. You can brush the ribs with additional barbecue sauce before reheating if needed.

You may also be interested in these Instant Pot Recipes.

• Instant Pot Kung Pao Cauliflower
• 3 Ingredient Instant Pot Tomato Sauce
• Instant Pot Chicken and Noodle Dinner
• Instant Pot Chili Mac Recipe
• Instant Pot Barbecue Pork Loin
• Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken (with video)