Description
This Quick Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs recipe offers tender, flavorful ribs cooked to perfection using an Instant Pot for speed and convenience, then finished under the broiler for a delicious caramelized BBQ glaze. Perfect for a satisfying dinner served alongside classic sides like mashed potatoes and cabbage slaw.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Rub
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ tablespoons sea salt
Ribs and Cooking Liquid
- 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
Instructions
- Prepare the Ribs: Rinse the ribs and pat them dry. Remove the thin membrane from the back by flipping the ribs meat-side down, inserting a dull butter knife between the membrane and ribs to loosen it, then grip with a paper towel and pull it off. Discard the membrane.
- Make and Apply the Rub: In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and sea salt. Generously rub the mixture all over the ribs, coating every side well.
- Set Up Instant Pot: Place the trivet or a foil rack in the bottom of a 6-quart or larger Instant Pot. Pour in water, apple cider vinegar, and liquid smoke. Elevate the ribs on the rack to keep them above the liquid.
- Pressure Cook the Ribs: Seal and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes (22 minutes if using one rack that is very meaty). After cooking, allow pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. For spare ribs, cook 35 minutes with a full natural release of about 15 minutes.
- Broil to Finish: While ribs cook, preheat the oven broiler and position the rack about three rows from the top. Line a baking sheet with foil. Transfer ribs to the baking sheet and brush generously with BBQ sauce. Broil for about 2 minutes until the sauce caramelizes.
- Serve: Remove from oven, slice between the ribs, and serve with extra BBQ sauce. Ideal accompaniments include mashed potatoes and cabbage slaw for a complete meal.
Notes
- If you don’t have a trivet for the Instant Pot, roll up aluminum foil to create a makeshift rack.
- Adjust cooking time slightly based on rack size and meatiness to avoid overcooking.
- The broiler step crisps and caramelizes the BBQ sauce for enhanced flavor and texture.
- Spare ribs take longer to cook than baby back ribs due to their size and thickness.
- Removing the membrane improves tenderness and allows the rub and smoke flavor to penetrate better.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes (Instant Pot) + 2 minutes (broiling)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Instant Pot ribs, baby back ribs, quick ribs recipe, BBQ ribs, pressure cooked ribs
