Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs – Kleinworth & Co

Introduction

If you’re craving juicy, fall-off-the-bone ribs without spending hours by the grill, these Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs deliver incredible flavor in a fraction of the time. This shortcut method lets you enjoy tender, restaurant-quality ribs any night of the week—perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings when you want big taste with minimal effort.

Why Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs Stand Out

What makes this recipe a true crowd pleaser is the combination of pressure cooking and a quick broil. The Instant Pot infuses the ribs with moisture and flavor, making them irresistibly tender, and a short stint under the broiler gives them that signature caramelized, sticky glaze. You’ll love how easy it is to achieve BBQ perfection with just a handful of ingredients and less than an hour from start to finish.

Building the Signature Flavor

A simple rub of brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic, salt, and pepper seasons the ribs before cooking, while your favorite barbecue sauce is brushed on for that sweet, tangy finish. The pressure cooker locks in all the seasonings, ensuring every bite is packed with robust flavor.

Optimal Instant Pot Cooking Technique

Arrange the ribs upright in the pot over a trivet, add apple juice or broth for steaming, and let the Instant Pot work its magic. Once cooked, a quick broil crisps up the sauce, creating irresistible caramelization and color. No need to hover over a grill—your kitchen stays cool while your ribs reach mouthwatering perfection.

Serving Suggestions for Show-Stopping Ribs

Serve these baby back ribs hot off the broiler, garnished with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley. They pair beautifully with classic sides like creamy coleslaw, buttered corn on the cob, or baked beans for a complete meal that’s sure to impress.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes approximately 4 hearty servings. Each serving (about 1/2 rack of baby back ribs with sauce) contains roughly 400-500 calories, depending on the amount and type of barbecue sauce used.

Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs (Recap)

Quick, flavorful, and perfectly tender, these Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs are a dinner game changer—no grill required. The fast cook time and minimal hands-on effort make them an easy favorite for both weeknight meals and special occasions.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to generate a smart, organized shopping list with all ingredients automatically sorted by grocery store section—perfect for stress-free grocery runs and streamlined meal planning.

Instructions

1. Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs (if still attached) for maximum tenderness.
2. Mix brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Season both sides of the ribs thoroughly with the spice rub.
3. Pour apple juice or chicken broth into your Instant Pot. Place the trivet inside and arrange the ribs upright on the trivet, curling as needed to fit.
4. Secure the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on Manual/Pressure Cook High for 25 minutes. Allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes before venting remaining steam.
5. Carefully remove ribs and place on a baking sheet lined with foil. Brush liberally with barbecue sauce on both sides.
6. Broil in the oven for 3-5 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and caramelized. Watch closely to avoid burning.
7. Slice ribs and garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot with your favorite sides!

Weekly Meal Planning

These Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs are both easy to prep ahead and reheat beautifully, making them perfect for meal planning and batch cooking. Save and schedule this recipe to seamlessly plan your week, generate a consolidated grocery list, and see how it fits into your meal rotation.

Planning Benefits:

• Auto-calculates total ingredient amounts for multiple recipes
• Organizes shopping lists for quick, efficient grocery trips
• Avoids duplicate ingredient purchases
• Makes weekly menu planning for busy families a breeze

Pro tip: When you add several recipes (like these ribs and a side dish) to your plan, schedule and organize them to automatically consolidate shared ingredients—saving time, money, and reducing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes (plus 10 minutes natural release)
Broil Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes