Instant Pot ribs are fall off the bone tender, seasoned perfectly, and take just half an hour in the Instant Pot. Finish them off on the grill or under the broiler. You’ll never want to make ribs another way again!
Serve Instant Pot ribs next to some cheddar biscuits, air fryer corn on the cob, and a classic caesar salad for the perfect barbecue night you can enjoy all year!
Everyone has a go-to method when it comes to ribs. Slow cooked, smoked, grilled, or baked, people swear by their rib recipes. Instant Pot ribs will be your new favorite, and they always impress.
Removing Membrane From Ribs
Ribs have a thin membrane (or silverskin) that holds them together. It’s a piece of connective tissue that doesn’t break down or tenderize during cooking, so it’ll make the ribs become more tough and chewy. It also creates a barrier, not allowing seasonings to penetrate the ribs.
Removing it is simple. but important if you want the most tender, fall off the bone ribs possible.
To remove the membrane from beef or pork ribs:
- Place the ribs face down on a clean working surface.
- Slide a knife under the membrane at one end of the ribs.
- Carefully peel back the membrane. It should come off in one sheet. If it rips, use the knife to separate it again from the ribs.
- Discard the membrane.
The Best Dry Spice Rub For Ribs
Let me tell you, this rub is the bomb. It’s customizable, but how can you change perfection? We love adding a little extra cayenne pepper for added kick. If you’re watching sodium, you can easily omit it as well.
To make the best ever dry rub, combine the ingredients in a shallow bowl. This dry rub will last in a container or plastic bag in a cool dry place for up to 6 months.
We love using this rub recipe on everything from steak, to roasts, and even grilled chicken!
The Best BBQ Sauce For Ribs
Our favorite barbecue sauce for ribs is Sweet Baby Ray’s, hands down. We love using Hickory Brown Sugar or Honey flavor.
Homemade barbecue sauce is also a great option if you have the time. This homemade barbecue sauce is always a hit!
How To Make Instant Pot Ribs
To make Instant Pot Ribs:
- PREP: Prep the ribs by removing the membrane and cutting the racks in half.
- RUB: Rub them generously with the dry rub mix.
- COOK: Cook the ribs for 27 minutes in the Instant Pot.
- FINISH: Brush with barbecue sauce and finish on the grill, or under the broiler for 5-10 minutes. This bakes the barbecue sauce onto the ribs, sealing in the juices and adding a bit of texture to them.
How To Finish Ribs
Finishing ribs is the process of searing the outside of them after cooking under high heat. It adds texture to the exterior of the ribs while helping to hold them together, and sealing in the juices.
It’s especially important with Instant Pot ribs, as they are SO fall apart tender!
Now the age old question, what’s the best way to finish ribs? We have two favorite methods:
Broil – the easiest option and perfect for winter or indoor cooking. Just set the oven to broil, and cook the ribs for about 5 minutes on each side. You’ll know they’re ready when the barbecue sauce has set a little bit. This method is easiest when you don’t want to fire up the grill.
Grill – If you’re doing a summer barbecue, the grill is a great method to finish off Instant Pot ribs. Cook them over direct heat on high for about 3 minutes on each side. We love finishing them off on the grill if we are entertaining, or have the grill going already. They’re great next to grilled corn and cucumber salad!
Tips For Making Instant Pot Ribs
Here are some great tips to ensure the Instant Pot ribs turn out perfect every time:
- The liquid smoke is worth it. You don’t need a lot, but it adds a ton of flavor while the ribs cook.
- We can comfortably fit two racks of ribs in a 5 quart Instant Pot. For 3 racks of ribs, add 4 minutes to the cooking time. For a single rack of ribs, take 4 minutes off of the cooking time.
- For dry ribs, sprinkle the cooked ribs with seasoning salt and finish under the broiler or on the grill as normal.
- To reheat ribs, place them in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes or until heated through.
Delicious Sides For Instant Pot Ribs
- Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Roasted Garlic Bread
- Crispy Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
- Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
Instant Pot Ribs
Ingredients
For The Rub
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
For The Ribs
- 2 racks baby back ribs
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 onion cut into quarters
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 cup beef broth
Instructions
- Combine ingredients for dry rub in a small dish, set aside.
- Place ribs face down on a working surface. Use a knife to carefully remove membrane from ribs. Discard. Cut racks of ribs in half or thirds to ensure they fit into instant pot. Rub ribs with dry rub mix until generously seasoned.
- Place onions, garlic, liquid smoke, worcestershire sauce, and broth in bottom of Instant Pot. Place rack into Instant Pot. Place Ribs on their side onto the rack.
- Select manual pressure, and cook ribs for 27 minutes. Allow to natural release for 5 minutes before opening the valve to release remaining pressure.
- Place ribs on a foil lined baking sheet. Brush with barbecue sauce if desired, and broil or grill until sauce is set and browned, about 5 minutes.
This recipe was adapted from Spend with Pennies.
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