Dinner

Quick Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs Recipe

Name: Quick Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 32 min
Total time: 42 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 2 tablespoons paprika; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 tablespoon garlic powder; 1 ½ tablespoons sea salt; 2 racks baby back ribs (or use spare ribs); 1 cup water; ½ cup apple cider vinegar; 2 tablespoons liquid smoke; ½ cup BBQ sauce

ByCleo Brixton October 23, 2025October 23, 2025

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Introduction

These Quick Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs are tender, flavorful, and ready in a fraction of the time it takes to slow-cook them. Infused with a smoky, spicy rub and finished under the broiler for a caramelized glaze, they make a perfect crowd-pleaser any time of year.

A white oval plate holds a pile of glazed ribs coated with shiny, dark reddish-brown barbecue sauce, each rib showing a mix of tender meat and bones. The ribs are garnished with small green chopped scallions scattered evenly on top. To the side of the plate, a gold fork with a black handle pierces one rib. In the lower left corner, there is a small white bowl with orange trim filled with thick, dark brown barbecue sauce. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface with a light-colored textured cloth partially visible in the bottom right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 ½ tablespoons sea salt
2 racks baby back ribs (or use spare ribs, see notes)
1 cup water
½ cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons liquid smoke
½ cup BBQ sauce

Instructions

Step 1: Rinse the ribs and pat them dry. Remove the thin membrane on the back by sliding a butter knife between the membrane and ribs, then grip with a paper towel and pull it away. Discard the membrane.
Step 2: Mix the brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and sea salt in a small bowl. Rub this spice blend generously all over the ribs, coating all sides.
Step 3: Place the trivet or rack inside a 6-quart or larger Instant Pot. Pour in the water, apple cider vinegar, and liquid smoke. If you don’t have a rack, create one by rolling up aluminum foil to elevate the ribs.
Step 4: Arrange the ribs on the rack. Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure: baby back ribs for 25 minutes (reduce to 22 minutes for one very meaty rack), allowing a natural pressure release for 5 minutes before venting; spare ribs for 35 minutes with a full natural release (about 15 minutes).
Step 5: While ribs cook, preheat the oven broiler and position the rack about three rows from the top. Line a baking sheet with foil. Transfer cooked ribs to the sheet, brush generously with BBQ sauce, and broil until the sauce caramelizes, approximately 2 minutes.
Step 6: Remove from oven, slice between ribs, serve with extra BBQ sauce. These ribs pair wonderfully with mashed potatoes and cabbage slaw.

Tips & Variations

For extra smoky flavor, soak wood chips in water and add them to a smoking box if finishing ribs on a grill instead of the oven.
Use spare ribs for a meatier, chewier texture but increase cooking time as noted.
If you prefer a spicier kick, add cayenne pepper to the rub or a dash of hot sauce to the BBQ sauce.
Make sure to remove the membrane for more tender ribs and better flavor absorption.

Storage

Store leftover ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover ribs with foil and warm in a 300°F oven for 15–20 minutes or until heated through. The broiler can be used briefly to refresh the caramelized sauce before serving again.

How to Serve

A white oval plate holds around a dozen barbecue ribs stacked in a slightly messy pile, each rib covered in thick, glossy dark red barbecue sauce that glistens under the light. Small pieces of chopped green onion sprinkle over the ribs, adding a fresh green contrast to the rich red glaze. A small metal fork with a black handle rests on the right side of the plate, piercing one rib. Below the plate is a small white bowl with a bright orange rim, filled with more barbecue sauce. The whole scene is set on a white marbled surface with a textured white cloth partially visible in the lower right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen ribs in the Instant Pot?

Yes, you can cook ribs from frozen in the Instant Pot but increase the cooking time by about 10 minutes and ensure the ribs fit safely inside the pot.