Instant Pot Ribs prove you don’t need a smoker to enjoy tender, delicious, fall-off-the bone ribs! Using either baby back ribs or spare ribs and the most delicious sweet and savory dry rub, this easy Instant Pot Ribs recipe delivers unbelievably tender ribs with minimal effort required!
Fall-Apart Tender Instant Pot Ribs
If you thought making ribs at home required a grill or hours of smoking—think again! These Instant Pot Ribs are everything you love about classic BBQ ribs: tender, juicy, flavorful, and finished with a perfect sticky glaze—but made effortlessly in the Instant Pot.
Just like in my recipes for Instant Pot Pulled Pork, Instant Pot Brisket, and Instant Pot Pot Roast, the instant pot works its magic in this Instant Pot ribs recipe to deliver ribs so tender they practically fall off the bone—in just under an hour (yes, really!)
But what sets this recipe apart is the sweet and smoky rub and a unique cooking liquid that infuses the pork with undertones reminiscent of being applewood smoked.
Finish with or without your favorite barbecue sauce and broil for a few minutes to achieve that irresistible, caramelized crust. You are going to LOVE this recipe!
Happy Cooking! xo Kristen
Notes on Ingredients
- Ribs: This recipe for Instant Pot Ribs works using either baby back ribs or spare ribs, which are both types of pork ribs. Baby back ribs are smaller and tend to be more tender, while spare ribs are meatier and chewier. For beef short ribs, refer to my recipe for Instant Pot Short Ribs
- Seasoning Rub: The homemade dry rub is made up of brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. It is smoky, sweet, and savory all at once and adds incredible flavor to the pork. Feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the spice mixture for a bit of heat or keep it simple and just mix 2 tablespoons of seasoned salt with 1/4 cup brown sugar.
- Apple Juice: While you can use water, beer, or chicken stock, I highly recommend apple juice when pressure-cooking ribs. The apple juice infuses the pork with subtle sweet undertones and compliments the natural flavors of the pork.
- Liquid Smoke: While optional, the liquid smoke will add a hint of smokiness to your ribs, replicating the effect of smoking on a smoker or grilling. It is a rather processed ingredient, so feel free to omit it. The ribs will be delicious with or without it.
- BBQ Sauce: If desired, finish the ribs with your favorite store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce.
How To Make Instant Pot Ribs
If you are unfamiliar with cooking in an Instant Pot or the functions of your Instant Pot, be sure to start with my guide for using an Instant Pot for the best results on this and future recipes. You will find the full recipe in detail in the recipe card below.
- Prepare Instant Pot. Before getting your hands dirty, set up the Instant Pot by combining the apple juice and liquid smoke (if using) in the inner pot. Add a trivet or rack, which will keep the ribs elevated above the cooking liquid, preventing them from becoming soggy.
- Prepare Dry Rub. In a small mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar with the salt and seasonings until well combined.
- Prepare Ribs. It is best to remove the membrane on pork ribs, as it can be chewy and rubbery and make the ribs less than pleasant to eat. To do this, slide a butter knife under the under the membrane (it is thin, shiny, and on the backside of the ribs), then lift the knife until the membrane loosens. Grab the edge of the membrane and gently pull it off. It may come off in strips.
- Season Ribs. Sprinkle the spice rub generously over the ribs, then use your hands to rub the seasonings onto the meat. Gently roll the ribs into a semi-circle and place on the trivet inside the inner pot.
- Pressure Cook. The cook time will be based on whether or not you are cooking spare ribs or baby back ribs. For baby back ribs, cook for 25 minutes on high pressure; for spare ribs cook for 35 minutes on high pressure.
- Let Pressure Release. For tender ribs, let pressure release naturally for at least 15 minutes or allow for a full natural release of pressure after the cooking time has elapsed. Do NOT do a quick release of pressure!
- Broil (Optional). Place the pressure cooked ribs, meat side up, on a baking sheet or broiler pan, brush with your favorite BBQ sauce and broil for 3-4 minutes until golden and slightly crispy.
- Serve. Cut or tear the ribs into handheld sections and serve with additional BBQ sauce and plenty of napkins. I also like to include a side of creamy coleslaw and homemade baked beans.
Want to Double the Recipe?
How To Make Two Racks of Ribs at Once
Feel free to pressure cook 2 racks of ribs at the same time. Use the same amount of liquid, but double the spice rub. Season as directed, and nestle both racks of ribs on the trivet, rolling them together into a semicircle. Keep the cooking time the same.
More Instant Pot Pork Recipes
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Prevent your screen from going dark
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Place a trivet into the inner pot of the pressure cooker. Pour in 1 ½ cups apple juice and ½ teaspoon liquid smoke, if using.
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In a small bowl, combine the ¼ cup light or dark brown sugar, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, and 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt until well combined. Set this aside.
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Remove the membrane from 1 rack ribs. At one end of the rack, slide a dinner knife under the membrane and over a bone then lift until the membrane loosens. Grab the edge of the membrane and pull it off–it may come off in several pieces.
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Generously rub the spice blend over the entire surface of the ribs. Roll the ribs in a semicircle and place them on the trivet in the pressure cooker. Place the lid on the pressure cooker and be sure the vent knob is pointed towards sealed or the lid is locked.
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Cook ribs on High Pressure For Baby Back Ribs set the cooking time to 25 minutes. For Spare Ribs set the cooking time to 35 minutes. To set the cooking time, hit manual or pressure cook and use the +/- buttons to adjust the cooking time.
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Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 15 minutes. This means leaving the Instant Pot alone and letting the float valve naturally float down and/or the lid unlock.
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Remove the ribs from the Instant Pot and place them on a broiler pan (or cutting board if not broiling.)
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If desired, brush the top surface of the ribs with barbecue sauce and broil under high heat for 3-4 minutes, watching closely. Remove the ribs from the oven, flip, and brush them with additional BBQ sauce. Return to the broiler for an additional 3-4 minutes on other side.
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Remove the ribs from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Spice Rub: Feel free to simply combine 2 tablespoons of seasoned salt with 1/4 cup brown sugar for a simpler rub on the ribs.
Storage: Store leftover ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat under the broiler for the best results.
No Apple Juice? Water, beer, or stock can be used in place of the apple juice, but the apple juice adds an applewood flavor to the ribs.
See Instant Pot High Altitude Conversion if cooking 2500+ feet above sea level.
Calories: 462kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 18gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 2634mgPotassium: 356mgSugar: 20gVitamin A: 75IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 2.1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Originally shared in 2019 and updated in 2025.
