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There is nothing quite like sinking your teeth into tender, flavorful ribs, but who has hours to spare slow-cooking them? That’s why I am so excited to share this Quick Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs Recipe with you! It delivers fall-off-the-bone tenderness with a rich, smoky BBQ flavor in just about 35 minutes. Whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd or craving comfort food on a weeknight, these ribs come together with surprisingly simple ingredients and an easy one-pot method that will make you wonder why you ever did it any other way.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple but absolutely essential to creating the perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors while keeping the ribs tender and juicy. Each spice and liquid plays a unique role, from building the rub’s complexity to the tangy cooking liquid that infuses the meat.
- Brown sugar: Adds a hint of natural sweetness that caramelizes beautifully under the broiler.
- Paprika: Brings mild smokiness and vibrant color to the dry rub.
- Chilli powder: A gentle heat that rounds out the flavor without overpowering.
- Garlic powder: Provides savory depth and warmth to the seasoning.
- Sea salt: Essential for enhancing all the other flavors in the rub.
- Baby back ribs (2 racks): The star of the dish, tender and lean for quick cooking. You can swap for spare ribs if you prefer a meatier cut.
- Water: Creates the steam needed for pressure cooking without diluting flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds subtle tang and helps tenderize the meat.
- Liquid smoke: Imparts that irresistible smoky aroma and taste without needing a smoker.
- BBQ sauce: For a luscious, sticky finish that caramelizes perfectly under the broiler.
How to Make Quick Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Ribs
Start by rinsing your ribs and patting them dry with paper towels. Removing the thin membrane on the back is a game changer — it lets the rub penetrate better and improves tenderness. Carefully wiggle a dull butter knife between the membrane and ribs, then use a paper towel to grip and pull it off. Trust me, this step is worth the effort for melt-in-your-mouth results.
Step 2: Make and Apply the Dry Rub
Mix together the brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and sea salt in a small bowl until fully blended. Generously rub this spice blend all over every inch of your ribs. This coating forms the flavor foundation and gives the ribs their beautiful crust and color after broiling.
Step 3: Set Up the Instant Pot
Place the Instant Pot trivet (or a makeshift rack made from rolled aluminum foil if you don’t have one) inside the pot. Pour in the water, apple cider vinegar, and liquid smoke. This flavorful steaming liquid will infuse the ribs as they pressure cook, ensuring they stay juicy while picking up that signature smoky taste.
Step 4: Pressure Cook the Ribs
Lay the ribs on the trivet, meat side down, and seal the Instant Pot lid. Cook on high pressure for 25 minutes for baby back ribs — reduce to 22 minutes if doing a single rack and the meat is particularly thick. Once the timer ends, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes before carefully venting the remaining steam. For spare ribs, increase the cooking time to 35 minutes with a full natural release. This method locks in moisture and achieves that tender texture we all crave.
Step 5: Broil and Caramelize the BBQ Sauce
While the ribs finish in the Instant Pot, preheat your oven to broil with the rack in the third position from the top. Transfer the ribs to a foil-lined baking sheet and slather generously with your favorite BBQ sauce. Pop them under the broiler for about 2 minutes or until the sauce bubbles and starts to caramelize, creating that irresistible sticky glaze.
Step 6: Slice and Serve
Once the sauce has beautifully caramelized, remove the ribs from the oven, let them rest a minute, then slice between each bone. Serve immediately with extra BBQ sauce on the side for dunking. These Quick Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs will impress even your most discerning guests!
How to Serve Quick Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs Recipe
Garnishes
For a fresh, vibrant note alongside the rich ribs, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or cilantro on top. A squeeze of bright lemon or lime can also cut through the richness and add a zesty kick that makes every bite pop.
Side Dishes
Classic sides like creamy mashed potatoes and tangy cabbage slaw pair beautifully with these ribs. You could also go for grilled corn on the cob, baked beans, or a simple green salad to balance the meal with contrasting textures and flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the ribs on a wooden board lined with parchment paper for a rustic vibe. Arrange colorful sides in small bowls around the platter, and add mini ramekins filled with different BBQ sauces to let everyone personalize their flavor experience. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover ribs tightly in aluminum foil or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making the next day’s leftovers just as delicious.
Freezing
If you want to save ribs for longer, freeze them uncooked with the dry rub in a sealed freezer bag for up to 3 months. You can also freeze fully cooked ribs—just wrap them well to prevent freezer burn and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the ribs in the oven at 275°F wrapped in foil to keep them moist. Alternatively, use the microwave covered with a damp paper towel for quick results. Finish by brushing with BBQ sauce and briefly broiling again if you want that fresh-off-the-grill glaze.
FAQs
Can I use spare ribs instead of baby back ribs in this recipe?
Absolutely! Spare ribs work well too, but they require a longer pressure cooking time—about 35 minutes with a full natural release—to become tender. Just adjust the timing as indicated to get the best results.
Do I need liquid smoke for this recipe?
Liquid smoke adds that iconic smoky flavor without needing a smoker, so it’s highly recommended. However, if you don’t have it on hand, you can omit it and still have tasty ribs, though the smoky depth will be less pronounced.
Can I double this recipe for a larger batch?
You sure can! Just make sure your Instant Pot is large enough to hold all the ribs without overcrowding, and increase the cooking liquid accordingly. Cooking times stay the same, but you may need to cook in batches depending on your pot size.
What’s the best BBQ sauce to use?
Use your favorite store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce for the finishing glaze. Sweet, tangy, spicy, or smoky varieties all work, so choose one that suits your taste preference and complements the rub flavors.
Is it necessary to broil the ribs after pressure cooking?
Broiling is not mandatory but highly recommended. It caramelizes the BBQ sauce, adds a delightful sticky crust, and enhances both appearance and flavor. If you’re short on time, you can skip this step and simply serve the ribs right after cooking.
Final Thoughts
Trust me when I say this Quick Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs Recipe will become your go-to whenever you’re craving tender, flavorful ribs without the fuss of slow cooking. It’s comfort food that’s fast, easy, and downright addictive. So gather your ingredients, fire up that Instant Pot, and get ready to impress yourself and your loved ones with ribs that taste like they spent hours in the smoker. You won’t regret it!
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Quick Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes pressure cook + 5 minutes natural release + 2 minutes broil
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course, Dinner
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Quick Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs recipe is an easy and flavorful way to enjoy tender, juicy ribs in under an hour. Utilizing the Instant Pot pressure cooker for fast results, these ribs are seasoned with a smoky, spicy dry rub, cooked to perfection, and finished under the broiler with a caramelized BBQ sauce glaze. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual weekend meal, these ribs come out fall-off-the-bone delicious with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Dry Rub
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ tablespoons sea salt
Main Ingredients
- 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 under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Check the back of the ribs for the thin, shiny membrane; if present, flip ribs meat-side down and use a dull butter knife to loosen the membrane. Grip the membrane with a paper towel and carefully pull it off, then discard.
- Make the Dry Rub: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and sea salt. Mix well to ensure all spices are evenly blended.
- Apply the Rub: Generously coat all sides of the ribs with the dry rub mixture, ensuring the seasoning is well distributed.
- Set Up Instant Pot: Place the metal trivet or a DIY aluminum foil rack in the bottom of a 6-quart or larger Instant Pot. Pour in 1 cup water, ½ cup apple cider vinegar, and 2 tablespoons liquid smoke to the bottom of the pot to create steam and infuse flavor.
- Pressure Cook the Ribs: Place the ribs on the trivet or rack inside the Instant Pot. Seal the lid and set the valve to sealing. For baby back ribs, cook on high pressure for 25 minutes (reduce to 22 minutes if cooking only one rack or very meaty ribs). For spare ribs, set to 35 minutes. After cooking, allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes for baby backs (full release for spare ribs about 15 minutes), then carefully vent to release remaining pressure.
- Preheat Broiler & Prepare Ribs: While ribs pressure cook, preheat your oven’s broiler on the third rack from the top. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. When ribs are done, transfer them carefully to the baking sheet and brush generously with BBQ sauce.
- Broil for Caramelization: Place ribs under the broiler for about 2 minutes or until the BBQ sauce lightly caramelizes and bubbles. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove ribs from oven, slice between each bone into individual portions, and serve immediately with additional BBQ sauce if desired. These ribs pair wonderfully with mashed potatoes and cabbage slaw.
Notes
- To remove the membrane easily, grip it firmly with a paper towel to prevent slipping.
- If you do not have a trivet for the Instant Pot, roll up aluminum foil to create a makeshift rack to keep ribs elevated above the liquid.
- Adjust pressure cooking time based on rib type and thickness; baby back ribs cook quicker than spare ribs.
- Broiling is a quick finishing step to caramelize the BBQ sauce but watch closely to avoid burning.
- Leftover ribs can be refrigerated and re-heated gently in the oven or air fryer to maintain tenderness.
