Easy Peasy Instant Pot Ribs
Easy, easy, easy. Very tasty too. I made two sets of ribs in the InstantPot at the same time, doubling the liquid. Best part is that I could use the InstantPot on the generator - the perfect meal for a night without power. Adapted from TastesBetterFromScratch. I used store bought spice rub, store bought sauce and beer for the liquid (after reading comments). Next time I will definitely make my barbecue sauce
A note on ribs: Costco sells two types of ribs: Pork Loin Back Ribs (aka baby back ribs) and St Louis Spareribs. I purchased the Pork Loin Back Ribs. Comments indicate that times differ based on the type of rib you use.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time 1 hr
Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
SPICE RUB
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon light brown sugar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon light brown sugar
1 cup water
RIBS
1-2 racks pork ribs
1/4 - 1/2 cup beer or 1/2 cup apple juice or 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)
1 cup barbecue sauce, homemade or store-bought (*see note)
*For spare ribs, add 5-10 minutes to the cooking time (high number for higher altitudes and very “fall-off-the-bone” ribs, lower number for lower altitude and tender ribs).
*Liquid smoke can be found near the bbq sauces at your local grocery store. It will add an amazing smokey flavor to the ribs.
*If buying the BBQ sauce, Sweet Baby Ray’s original was recommended. If using the homemade recipe, double it and reduce until thick enough.
1/4 - 1/2 cup beer or 1/2 cup apple juice or 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)
1 cup barbecue sauce, homemade or store-bought (*see note)
- Remove membranes from the back of ribs, if needed. I have read that Costco de-membranes their ribs, which was the case with the ones I purchased.
- Rub seasonings over both sides of ribs.
- Place wire trivet rack in the bottom of the instant pot.
- Add water, apple juice (or apple cider vinegar) and liquid smoke (optional, but recommended for that great smokey flavor).
- Place the ribs upright, with the meat side facing out. If you’re using one large rack of ribs, then circle them around the pot. (I circled the rib racks, one inside the other).
- Secure lid and close vent.
- Use the meat setting on the InstantPot and set at 30-35 minutes or press “manual” or “pressure cook” and cook on high pressure. (The original recipe called for 25 minutes, but some comments indicated that wasn't enough time for "fall off the bone" tenderness. 35 minutes produced a very tender rib. I will try 30 minutes next time just to see how tender it gets)
- When the timer beeps, allow the pressure to naturally release for 15 min, then turn the valve to quick release.
- Carefully remove ribs to a large, foil-lined baking sheet and slather them in BBQ sauce.
- Optional: broil them in the oven for 2-3 minutes to caramelize the bbq sauce.
*For spare ribs, add 5-10 minutes to the cooking time (high number for higher altitudes and very “fall-off-the-bone” ribs, lower number for lower altitude and tender ribs).
*Liquid smoke can be found near the bbq sauces at your local grocery store. It will add an amazing smokey flavor to the ribs.
*If buying the BBQ sauce, Sweet Baby Ray’s original was recommended. If using the homemade recipe, double it and reduce until thick enough.
