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Instant Pot® Baby Back Ribs Recipe

These quick and easy Instant Pot baby back ribs are really tender and delicious. If this is your first time to cook ribs, this is an easy recipe. This instant pot recipe will produce the most tender baby back pork ribs that you’ll be able to cut them with a butter knife. With a 10 minute prep time and only 30 minutes cook time, busy moms can serve the best ribs. Since this rib recipe doesn’t take a long time to make, while these easy instant pot ribs are cooking you can prepare any of your favorite sides like potato salad, mac and cheese or some greens.

Instant pot baby back ribs on a white plate garnished with bbq sauce and rosemary
Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs with Dark Cherry BBQ Sauce

The cinnamon and rosemary in the dry rub complements the flavors in this savory Dark Cherry BBQ Sauce, but the flavors pair well with your favorite bbq sauce.

What is an Instant Pot?

An Instant Pot is a kitchen appliance that functions as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and steamer. It has a number of preset cooking programs, as well as the ability to be programmed manually. It’s so versatile it will quickly become one of your most useful kitchen appliances!

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Other Ingredients:

  • 2½ – 3 lbs. baby back ribs ( a nice slab of baby back ribs)
  • 1 cup beef stock (or water)
  • Dark Cherry BBQ Sauce* (or BBQ sauce of choice)

Extras/Substitutions

You can customize your spice rub with any other simple ingredients such as onion powder, some brown sugar, or turmeric. Whichever direction you choose, you will end up with the most tender ribs and for sure the family will love these delicious instant pot bbq ribs.

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Small bowl
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Aluminum foil
  • Large, rimmed baking sheet

Instructions

  1. Combine ingredients for the dry rub in a small bowl and stir to combine. Set aside. 
  2. Carefully remove membrane from the back of the ribs with a sharp knife, if necessary. Cut the racks of ribs into 3 or 4 equal-sized parts and work the dry ingredients into each section on both sides. Set aside.
  3. Add beef broth or water to Instant Pot and insert the metal rack. Place inside of the pot the seasoned ribs on their sides on top of the insert. (Do not stack them flat on top of each other).
  4. Lock the Instant Pot lid into place and flip the pressure valve to “Sealing.” Set the “Manual” setting to high for 30 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, line a large, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and set aside.
  6. Once cooking time is complete, do a quick release (QR) by flipping the sealing valve to the “Venting” position. Unlock and remove the Instant Pot lid and carefully transfer ribs to prepared baking sheet. Brush ribs with a generous amount of BBQ sauce on each side.
  7. Pre-heat broiler to high and broil the ribs for 3-5 minutes or until nicely browned. Remove from oven and cool slightly before cutting into individual portions. Serve immediately with extra BBQ sauce for dipping. 

Cooking Tips

  • Place the ribs under a hot broiler after cooking in the Instant Pot for a mouth-watering, caramelized crust.
Instant pot baby back ribs lined up on a white plate
Serve these delicious Instant Pot baby back ribs in under an hour!

Storage Instructions

Store your leftover ribs in an airtight container and refrigerate. They should be good for 3 to 4 days.

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Instant Pot baby back ribs on a white plate

Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

These quick and easy Instant Pot baby back ribs are really tender and delicious. If this is your first time to cook ribs, this easy recipe This instant pot recipe will produce the most tender baby back pork ribs, you'll be able to cut them with a butter knife. With a 10 minute prep time and only 30 minutes cook time, busy moms can serve the best ribs. Since this rib recipe doesn't take a long time to make, while these easy instant pot ribs are cooking you can prepare any of your favorite sides like potato salad, mac and cheese or some greens.

The cinnamon and rosemary in the dry rub complements the flavors in this savory Dark Cherry BBQ Sauce, but the flavors pair well with your favorite bbq sauce.

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Other Ingredients:
  • 2½ - 3 lbs. baby back ribs ( a nice slab of baby back ribs)
  • 1 cup beef stock (or water)
  • Dark Cherry BBQ Sauce* (or BBQ sauce of choice)

Instructions

  1. Combine ingredients for the dry rub in a small bowl and stir to combine. Set aside. 
  2. Carefully remove membrane from the back of the ribs with a sharp knife, if necessary. Cut the racks of ribs into 3 or 4 equal-sized parts and work the dry ingredients into each section on both sides. Set aside.
  3. Add beef broth or water to Instant Pot and insert the metal rack. Place inside of the pot the seasoned ribs on their sides on top of the insert. (Do not stack them flat on top of each other).
  4. Lock the Instant Pot lid into place and flip the pressure valve to “Sealing.” Set the “Manual” setting to high for 30 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, line a large, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and set aside.
  6. Once cooking time is complete, do a quick release (QR) by flipping the sealing valve to the “Venting” position. Unlock and remove the Instant Pot lid and carefully transfer ribs to prepared baking sheet. Brush ribs with a generous amount of BBQ sauce on each side.
  7. Pre-heat broiler to high and broil the ribs for 3-5 minutes or until nicely browned. Remove from oven and cool slightly before cutting into individual portions. Serve immediately with extra BBQ sauce for dipping.

Notes

Place the ribs under a hot broiler after cooking in the Instant Pot for a mouth-watering, caramelized crust. 

Store your leftover ribs in an airtight container and refrigerate. They should be good for 3 to 4 days.

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