Quick and Tender Instant Pot BBQ Ribs: Dinner in Under an Hour

Easy and Delicious Instant Pot BBQ Ribs Ready in Under an Hour

Looking for a game-changing dinner recipe? These instant pot bbq ribs will revolutionize your weeknight cooking routine. Forget spending hours smoking or grilling ribs – your pressure cooker delivers fall-off-the-bone tenderness in less than an hour. The sweet and tangy BBQ flavor combined with melt-in-your-mouth meat will have your family requesting this dish again and again!

Why You’ll Love These Pressure Cooker BBQ Ribs

There’s something magical about the way an Instant Pot transforms tough rib meat into succulent, tender perfection. The sealed environment and pressure cooking method infuses flavors deeply while breaking down connective tissues faster than any other cooking method. Plus:

• Quick cooking time – ready in under an hour
• Year-round availability – no grill or smoker needed
• Minimal effort – mostly hands-off cooking
• Restaurant-quality results – impressive enough for guests

Ingredients for Perfect Instant Pot BBQ Ribs

• 2 racks baby back pork ribs (about 2-3 pounds)
• 1 cup water or apple juice
• 1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional but adds great flavor)

Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need

• Instant Pot or pressure cooker
• Baking sheet and broiler (for finishing)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Basting brush
• Kitchen tongs

How to Make Mouth-Watering Instant Pot BBQ Ribs

1. Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. This is important for tenderness! Slide a knife under the membrane and pull it off with a paper towel for better grip.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to create a dry rub.
3. Apply the dry rub generously to both sides of the ribs, pressing it in to adhere well.
4. Pour water or apple juice into the Instant Pot. Add liquid smoke if using.
5. Place the trivet inside the Instant Pot. Curl the ribs around the inside of the pot, standing them on edge with the meatier side facing outward. You may need to cut the racks in half to fit properly.
6. Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to sealing position. Cook on High Pressure for 25 minutes for tender ribs, or 30 minutes for fall-off-the-bone texture.
7. When cooking is complete, allow for a 10-minute natural pressure release, then carefully release any remaining pressure.
8. While the Instant Pot is releasing pressure, preheat your oven broiler.
9. Carefully transfer the cooked ribs to a foil-lined baking sheet, meat side up.
10. Brush ribs generously with BBQ sauce and place under the broiler for 3-5 minutes until the sauce caramelizes and creates a delicious crust. Watch closely to prevent burning!
11. Remove from oven, allow to rest for 5 minutes, then cut between the bones to serve.

Expert Tips for the Best Pressure Cooker Ribs

After testing dozens of rib recipes, I’ve found these tips make all the difference:

• Remove the membrane! This tough layer on the back of ribs prevents flavor penetration and creates chewy texture.
• Consider your BBQ sauce carefully. Use a high-quality sauce or make your own. The sauce concentrates under the broiler, so its flavor becomes prominent.
• Don’t skip the broiling step. This creates the caramelized, sticky exterior that mimics traditional BBQ ribs.
• Adjust cooking time for your preference. 25 minutes yields tender ribs with some texture, while 30 minutes creates truly fall-off-the-bone meat.

Serving Suggestions for Your Instant Pot Ribs

These succulent ribs pair beautifully with classic BBQ sides:

• Creamy coleslaw
• Cornbread or corn on the cob
• Baked beans
• Mac and cheese
• Potato salad or fries

For a lighter meal, try serving with a crisp green salad and roasted vegetables.

Storing and Reheating Leftover BBQ Ribs

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, they’ll keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days in an airtight container. To reheat:

1. Wrap ribs in foil with a tablespoon of water or apple juice
2. Heat in a 275°F oven for 15-20 minutes until warmed through
3. For crispy edges, unwrap and broil for 2-3 minutes

You can also freeze cooked ribs for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

FAQs About Making BBQ Ribs in the Instant Pot

Can I use spare ribs instead of baby back ribs?
Yes! Spare ribs are thicker and meatier, so increase the pressure cooking time to 30-35 minutes.

Can I make these ribs ahead of time?
Absolutely! Pressure cook the ribs up to 2 days ahead, refrigerate, then broil with sauce before serving.

What if I don’t have a broiler?
You can finish the ribs on a grill or in a hot oven (450°F) for 5-7 minutes instead.

Can I make these ribs in a slow cooker?
Yes, but they’ll take 6-8 hours on low instead of under an hour in the Instant Pot.

Transform Dinner Night with Easy Instant Pot BBQ Ribs

There’s something undeniably satisfying about serving up a rack of perfectly cooked ribs on a weeknight. The look of surprise when your family realizes these restaurant-quality instant pot bbq ribs took less than an hour from start to finish is priceless! Give this recipe a try next time you’re craving comfort food with big flavor but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.