Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

Baby Back Ribs made in the Instant Pot are tender, flavorful, and EASY! These ribs cook to perfection in less than one hour.

Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

As soon as I saw this recipe in my friend Shawn’s new cookbook, The Everyday Cookbook, I put pork ribs on my grocery list.

What’s not to love about tender, falling off the bone, baby back ribs that you can make in less than an hour?

I’m telling you, these ribs are so darn good, I’m going to be making them on repeat for a long time.

And if you’re looking for more easy dinner ideas, you really need to check out Shawn’s cookbook. It’s filled with 60 quick and easy dinners, sides, snacks, and desserts that you’re going to love.

I served our ribs with Memphis Style Coleslaw and Corn on the Cob, but they’d also be great with some Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese or Slow Cooker Baked Beans – those happen to be the best beans ever, in case you were wondering.

A classic Ramen Noodle Salad or a simple Italian Pasta Salad would also work well as very easy make-ahead side dishes.

How to Cook Ribs in the Instant Pot

1. Remove the lining from the bottom side of the ribs by running a butter knife under the skin and then using a paper towel to grip and remove it completely.
2. Combine the brown sugar, chili powder, parsley, salt, pepper, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper in a small dish and rub all over the ribs.
3. Place the metal rack at the bottom of the pressure cooker and place the ribs inside the pot, standing on their side, wrapping around the inside of the pot. Pour in the water, apple cider, and liquid smoke (if desired), being careful not to wash off any of the seasonings on the meat.

How Long to Cook Ribs in Instant Pot

1. Secure the lid, making sure the vent is closed. Press the MEAT button and set the time for 25 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes, then quick release the rest of the way.
2. While the pressure is releasing, preheat the oven to BROIL and place an oven rack about 6-8 inches from the top of the oven. Line a large baking sheet with foil and then carefully remove the ribs from the pressure cooker and set on the prepared baking sheet.
3. Brush the ribs with barbecue sauce (homemade or store-bought) and then BROIL for 5 minutes. Do not walk away. Keep a close eye on the oven, as some ovens run hotter and you might need to pull the ribs early. When the sauce begins to carmelize on the ribs, they are done.

Seasoning Blend for Pork Ribs

• light brown sugar
• chili powder
• dried parsley
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• ground cumin
• granulated garlic or garlic powder
• granulated onion or onion powder
• cayenne pepper

I’m thrilled to tell you that this recipe doubles perfectly. (My crew of meat-lovers is pretty happy about that too!)

Double the meat and the spices and wrap the second rack of ribs around the first, as pictured below. Do NOT double the liquid.

We enjoyed this Homemade Spicy Barbecue Sauce with our ribs, but any barbecue sauce you like will work nicely.

Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

5 from 2 votes

Baby Back Ribs made in the Instant Pot are tender, flavorful, and EASY! These ribs cook to perfection in less than one hour.

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Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 40 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr

Servings: 5 servings

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Ingredients 

• ▢ 3 pounds rack of baby back pork ribs
• ▢ ¼ cup light brown sugar
• ▢ 2 tablespoons chili powder
• ▢ 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ▢ 1 teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon granulated onion or onion powder
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ▢ 1 cup water
• ▢ ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon liquid smoke OPTIONAL
• ▢ ½ cup barbecue sauce homemade or store-bought

Instructions

• Remove the lining from the bottom side of the ribs by running a butter knife under the skin and then using a paper towel to grip and remove completely.
• Combine the brown sugar, chili powder, parsley, salt, pepper, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper in a small dish and rub all over the ribs.
• Place the metal rack at the bottom of the pressure cooker and place the ribs inside the pot, standing on their side, wrapping around the inside of the pot. Pour in the water, apple cider, and liquid smoke (if desired), being careful not to wash off any of the seasonings on the meat.
• Secure the lid, making sure the vent is closed. Press the MEAT button and set the time for 25 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release for 10 mintues, then quick release the rest of the way.
• While the pressure is releasing, preheat the oven to BROIL and place an oven rack about 6-8 inches from the top of the oven. Line a large baking sheet with foil and then carefully remove the ribs from the pressure cooker and set on the prepared baking sheet.
• Brush the ribs with barbecue sauce and then BROIL for 5 minutes. Do not walk away. Keep a close eye on the oven, as some ovens run hotter and you might need to pull the ribs early. When the sauce begins to carmelize on the ribs, they are done.
• Serve hot with extra barbecue sauce for dipping, if desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 495kcal · Carbohydrates: 26g · Protein: 34g · Fat: 29g · Saturated Fat: 10g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g · Monounsaturated Fat: 12g · Trans Fat: 1g · Cholesterol: 118mg · Sodium: 970mg · Potassium: 611mg · Fiber: 2g · Sugar: 21g · Vitamin A: 1100IU · Vitamin C: 1mg · Calcium: 94mg · Iron: 3mg

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