Instant Pot Ribs: Easy, Juicy, Fall-Off-The-Bone Perfection Every Time!

Introduction

Few dishes can rival the succulent, tender magic of perfectly cooked ribs. Using the Instant Pot, you’ll enjoy full-flavored, fall-off-the-bone perfection in a fraction of the usual time—no need for hours on the grill or oven. This recipe delivers reliable results every time and is a surefire hit whether you’re serving a casual weeknight dinner or feeding a crowd on game day.

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Ribs Recipe

What makes these Instant Pot Ribs unbeatable? The unrivaled tenderness of the meat, the deep infusion of flavors from your favorite spice rub, and the smoky, caramelized BBQ finish—all with minimal effort and cook time. The Instant Pot speeds up flavor development, perfectly pressure-cooking ribs to melt-in-your-mouth juicy texture, and a quick broil at the end gives them irresistible, sticky charred edges.

Choosing the Right Ribs & Prepping for Perfection

For this recipe, baby back ribs are ideal thanks to their tender, lean meat, but spare ribs also work beautifully. Remove the silver skin membrane from the back of the ribs for optimal texture and flavor absorption. Generously rub the ribs with your favorite spice blend before Pressure Cooking for unbeatable taste.

Instant Pot Ribs: The Fast Track to Juicy, Tender Meat

With just one cup of liquid—apple juice or broth works wonders—in the bottom of your Instant Pot, the ribs cook under high pressure, infusing flavor and keeping them moist. Finish under a broiler or on the grill with a brush of BBQ sauce for that signature sticky, caramelized crust.

Sensational Serving Suggestions for Instant Pot Ribs

Present your Instant Pot Ribs hot and glistening with extra BBQ sauce on the side. Pair with classic sides like coleslaw, baked beans, or potato salad for a meal that’s sure to impress. Sprinkle some chopped scallions or fresh parsley over the top for a pop of color and fresh flavor.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 servings of ribs. Each serving contains approximately 350–450 calories, depending on the amount of BBQ sauce and the specific cut of ribs. High in protein, these ribs make a satisfying main dish for any gathering.

Instant Pot Ribs: Easy, Juicy, Fall-Off-The-Bone Perfection Every Time! (Recap)

These ribs have it all—bold, smoky flavor and a texture so tender the meat slides effortlessly off the bone. With the Instant Pot, you get delicious, reliable results with minimal prep and fuss, making this recipe a repeat favorite for family meals and entertaining alike.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to quickly create an organized ingredient list, sorted by grocery sections for stress-free shopping and smarter meal planning.

Instructions

1. Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs using a paper towel for better grip. This helps the seasoning penetrate the meat and results in a more tender bite.
2. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and chili powder (if using). Rub the spice mixture generously over both sides of the ribs.
3. Pour the apple juice or broth into the bottom of the Instant Pot. Place the metal trivet inside, then coil the seasoned ribs around the trivet, standing them upright if needed.
4. Seal the lid, ensuring the valve is set to the “Sealing” position. Pressure cook on HIGH for 25 minutes (for baby back ribs; 30 minutes for spare ribs).
5. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then perform a manual quick release for any remaining pressure.
6. Preheat your oven broiler. Carefully transfer the cooked ribs onto a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush generously with BBQ sauce and broil for 3–4 minutes until the sauce starts to caramelize, watching closely to prevent burning (or finish on a grill for extra smokiness).
7. Slice into portions and serve hot with extra sauce if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Instant Pot Ribs recipe is a game-changer for meal prep and efficient weeknight planning. Save and schedule this recipe to fit into your weekly menu, automatically generating an organized shopping list and streamlining your entire meal plan.

Planning Benefits:

– Computes precise ingredient totals for all planned meals
– Groups groceries by store section—no more wandering the aisles
– Reduces food waste by consolidating overlapping ingredients
– Simplifies weekly meal prep for busy home cooks

Pro tip: Combine this rib recipe with planned sides and utilize CookifyAI’s scheduling tools to have all your shopping needs neatly organized—total quantities, minimized duplicates, and maximum convenience.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes (plus 10–15 minutes natural release)
Finishing Time: 5 minutes (broil or grill)
Total Time: 50 minutes