These Instant Pot BBQ Baby Back Ribs are the best, quick and easy pressure cooker recipe for grilled pork or beef ribs. These ribs are marinated with pork rub and are so juicy, they literally fall off the bone. Feel free to use spare, country-style, or frozen ribs if desired.
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This post was originally published on April 14, 2018. It has since been updated.
Be sure to check out my Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken, too!
I decided to give my Instant Pot a try at baby back ribs. The Instant Pot is really the king when it comes to producing juicy, succulent meat that falls off the bone. You should definitely check out my Tuscan Chicken Thighs and Chicken and Rice Drumsticks.
Now...before you comment and yell that ribs and BBQ have to be grilled, trust me I KNOW all about BBQ. I live in Kansas City. We have the best BBQ on this earth. I even used my favorite local marinade and sauce in this recipe.
How to Make and Cook Baby Back Ribs in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs.
- Place the ribs in the Instant Pot with a trivet, onions, and water.
- Pressure cook.
How Long to Cook Baby Back Ribs in Instant Pot
Cook the ribs for 25 minutes, with a 10-minute natural release of steam instead of the quick release.
Do You Have to Grill or Bake Instant Pot Pot Ribs?
After the Instant Pot you can grill or bake the ribs. Grilling these ribs yields amazing results and will also really give them that BBQ taste, but baking works just fine too! If you use Liquid Smoke and a BBQ marinade (I love McCormick's Grill Mates BBQ Seasoning) you will get some of the BBQ flavor.
How to Make Spare or Country-Style Ribs Using the Instant Pot
Spare ribs will need more time to cook. Cook spare ribs for 45 minutes with 10-15 minutes of natural release of steam.
How to Cook Frozen Ribs in the Instant Pot
If using frozen ribs, cook them for 32 minutes.
Feel free to add as much BBQ sauce as you want. Sometimes, I eat ribs without the sauce. I believe the BBQ marinade should be so good, that BBQ sauce is optional.
Does it look like the meat is falling off the bone to you? I paired these with white bread (a BBQ staple), potato salad, and baked beans. It was scrumptious!
Pair these ribs with Instant Pot Potato Salad, Instant Pot Southern Green Beans, or Keto Coleslaw.
You may also enjoy my Air Fryer Ribs , Traeger Smoked Ribs (3-2-1 Method), and How to Grill the Best Burgers, and Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipes.
Pin this recipe for later here.
Instant Pot Fall Off the Bone BBQ Baby Back Ribs
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Ingredients
- 3 pounds rack of baby back ribs
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 2-3 tablespoons pork rub I used Kansas City Gate's classic BBQ rub or McCormick's Grill Mates Pork Rub is another option
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup water
- ½ onion
- 1 cup BBQ sauce Use as much sauce as you prefer
Instructions
- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. (Refer to video). This is a thin layer that can be tough to remove. Sometimes it will peel right off. You can also cut it, and pull it off.
- Drizzle the liquid smoke over both side of the ribs.
- Season both sides of the ribs with the pork rub, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Pour the cup of water in the Instant Pot.
- Place the trivet in the Instant Pot. This is the metal basket that comes with the machine. This will keep the ribs from touching the bottom of the pot as they cook.
- Place the onion and the seasoned ribs on the trivet.
- Place the lid on the pot and seal. Cook for 25 minutes on Manual > High-Pressure Cooking.
- When the Instant Pot indicates it has finished, allow the steam to naturally release for 10 minutes instead of quick release.
- If you choose to bake the ribs, preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- Remove the ribs from the pot. Brush the BBQ sauce onto the ribs.
- Bake or grill the ribs for 10 minutes.
- Remove and serve!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
keith says
Sounds great,the way I always did it takes 5 hours 🙁 I will get me a instant pot sounds good and less time 🙂
staysnatched says
YES! Same here. I hope you enjoy it!
Geoffrey G Klein says
I put my ribs on the charcoal grill over indirect high heat with Applewood chunks for smoke for 15 minutes BEFORE putting them in the Instant pot rather than putting in the over afterwards. They absolutely fell off the bone and had the bark and applewood smoke taste as if I had done my normal 5 hours on the smoker and I have to admit the way they came off the bone beat any I had made on the smoker.
staysnatched says
Wonderful. Your method sounds amaze!
Mark says
Awesome recipe! I love eating ribs but this was my first time every cooking them myself. My buddy who was over for dinner was doubtful - he usually smokes them for hours but the instant pot is magic. I followed the recipe exactly but I didn't have liquid smoke or bbq sauce and everyone agreed, they were still fantastic! I'm about to make them again tonight. The only changes I will make will be to use more rub and add the sauce. Will post an update with the results!
staysnatched says
Yes, please post your update! My philosophy is good BBQ doesn't need BBQ sauce! The meat should taste good on it's own. BBQ sauce is simply a compliment. 😉 Still curious to hear your thoughts when you add it!
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says
I love BBQ ribs! I've never tried them in the InstaPot, since I don't have one. I've been thinking of getting one, though! And, it was snowing this morning here in Cleveland, Lol.
Sandi says
You had me at BBQ!! I haven't tried making ribs in my Instant Pot yet. Can't wait to try.
Rae says
Oooohhh now I'm craving ribs! I'm not going to jump on the instant pot train, so how long would I need to cook these in an oven?
Amanda Finks says
Love this tender rib recipe! This is such a good use of the Instant Pot!
Iryna says
These ribs definitely look fall-off the bone. My husband would devour them in no time, he loves ribs. I wouldn't mind trying this recipe either!
Ann says
Your ribs look delicious, if I could only get the recipe. Most on you on Facebook assume
all of us are technology savvy but unfortunately we aren’t. Most of you list a half dozen
or more ways to share but very few include email. I realize for the majority of you that
method is outdated but for those like me it does what we want and that is all that is
necessary. Thank you for sharing your delicious sounding recipe.
staysnatched says
Hi there. Here is the recipe. I copied it from above. Ingredients
3 pounds rack of baby back ribs
1 tablespoon liquid smoke
2-3 tablespoons pork rub I used Kansas City Gate's classic BBQ rub or McCormick's Grill Mates Pork Rub is another option
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup water
1/2 onion
1 cup BBQ sauce Use as much sauce as you prefer
Instructions
Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. (Refer to video). This is a thin layer that can be tough to remove. Sometimes it will peel right off. You can also cut it, and pull it off.
Drizzle the liquid smoke over both side of the ribs.
Season both sides of the ribs with the pork rub, salt, and pepper to taste.
Pour the cup of water in the Instant Pot.
Place the trivet in the Instant Pot. This is the metal basket that comes with the machine. This will keep the ribs from touching the bottom of the pot as they cook.
Place the onion and the seasoned ribs on the trivet.
Place the lid on the pot and seal. Cook for 25 minutes on Manual > High-Pressure Cooking.
When the Instant Pot indicates it has finished, allow the steam to naturally release for 10 minutes instead of quick release.
If you choose to bake the ribs, preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Remove the ribs from the pot. Brush the BBQ sauce onto the ribs.
Bake or grill the ribs for 10 minutes.
Remove and serve!
Recipe Notes
You can make your own pork rub using 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon BBQ seasoning (I like McCormick's Grill Mates BBQ Seasoning), 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 -1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 1 teaspoon chili powder.
Nicole C says
Why is the onion cooked with the ribs and what do you do with it afterwards?
staysnatched says
For flavor. You can discard it.
Roxana Lopez says
I got an Instant Pot for Christmas, and this is the very first recipe I want to make with it. I've been saving this recipe for that reason. Now that I'm ready to begin, I'm reviewing the recipe, and you mention a video that shows how to remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. I don't see a video link here. Would you mind adding it?
I've shared this recipe in my Aunt Rocky's Low Carb Recipe Group for those in the group with an IP, so I know there are others from my group who plan on making your ribs. I can't wait to dig in!
staysnatched says
Hi, there's no link to the video. It's embedded in the post. If you are visiting my site from desktop, the video will autoplay to the right of your screen as you scroll. If you are visiting from a mobile device, the video is embedded directly above the recipe card where it says "Watch video instructions here." Click the play button to play the video.
I hope you enjoy the ribs!
Barbara J Tyler says
If you can't find Gates where you live, I've found KC Masterpiece from Florida to
Wyoming and I prefer it.
Trista says
This recipe has the ribs falling off of the bone. The meat was so tender. We put sauce on half and no sauce on the other half, they were the bomb both ways. I love how this recipe takes hours off of the cook time & made ribs a dinner we can have any day of the week.
staysnatched says
Yay! Ribs in the Instant Pot are the best.
Firenze says
This sounds like a great alternative to the apple juice/apple cider BBQ back ribs Instant Pot classic recipe. I've been looking for an Instant Pot recipe BBQ ribs recipe that has less sugar. Can't wait to try it!
staysnatched says
I hope you enjoy them!
Hannah J Parrish says
if you have them sealed in foodsaver bags, I would just cover them in water.... Fill the sink with water and immerse the ribs still sealed. They will thaw pretty quickly and I figure they will turn out better. I have tied this method and it has worked well for me. While I haven't tried cooking ribs or butts from frozen, I recently read an article concerning how this practice may make for a tougher piece of meat..... so take that for what its worth, which may not be much....
staysnatched says
Thank you for your tips!
Emily A. says
I used this recipe for my first time ever making ribs & they were PERFECT! This recipe was so easy to follow & I’ll definitely be using it again!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Jaye says
Made this tonight with the low carb creamed spinach and low carb cornbread. Super easy and delish keto meal. My boyfriend discouraged using the instant pot for the ribs, because he feared they would taste like boiled meat. But Brandi has this recipe down perfect. The ribs were tender, flavorful, and yes, my boyfriend was begging for more.
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed them.
Tiffany Bundy says
Oh. My. Gawd. Freaking amazing. Ribs in under an hour? Yes!!!! You have to try them. I do wish I had a dry rub that I’d used, as the recipe instructs. I used sweet baby Ray’s. Cus it’s what I had. Added garlic and pepper. Phenomenal! You have to try them! And yes I did bake them also. So incredibly good
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed these.
Sabrina Boucher says
Thank you for these! Lol I live in an apartment so unfortunately I do not get to grill pretty much ever but we love BBQ food. I made these a few times now and they are great, they legit fall off the bone and are really easy to make.
staysnatched says
Awesome! I'm glad these worked for you.
Melissa says
This will be in my summertime rotation! I haven’t made ribs in so long and this was so incredibly easy. I bought St. Louis spare ribs because that’s what I can find and I followed the notes for spare ribs. I couldn’t find the pork rib so I used her BBQ seasoning recipe. Finished them in the oven. Fall off the bone and so flavorful.
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Michele says
On the recipe can I double the ribs or do I cook 2 batches
staysnatched says
Sure, if you can get them to fit.