Instant Pot Pork Ribs (Bone-In)

Introduction

Instant Pot Pork Ribs (Bone-In) are a game changer for anyone who loves tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone ribs without the hours of slow cooking or smoking. In under an hour, you can have barbecue-quality ribs packed with bold flavors and a perfect caramelized finish. This recipe is ideal for family dinners, cookouts, or whenever a hearty, satisfying meal is needed, all with minimal hands-on time and effort.

Why Make Instant Pot Pork Ribs (Bone-In)?

These ribs deliver smoky, savory satisfaction and nearly effortless prep—your pressure cooker does almost all the work. The Instant Pot deeply infuses the rib meat with flavor while tenderizing it to perfection, so even tougher cuts become melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Plus, this method is much faster than traditional techniques, making it easier than ever to serve up a crowd-pleasing main dish, even on a weeknight.

The Secret to Flavorful, Tender Ribs

A simple dry rub of pantry spices elevates the ribs with just the right balance of heat and sweetness. Pressure cooking locks in the juices, while a quick broil at the end beautifully caramelizes the sauce. For a richer taste, use your favorite barbecue sauce and let the broiler create that irresistible sticky glaze.

Serving Suggestions for Show-Stopping Ribs

Serve your Instant Pot Pork Ribs hot, slathered in extra sauce, with classic sides like coleslaw, baked beans, cornbread, or roasted potatoes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions to add a pop of color and fresh flavor. These ribs are equally at home as a casual family dinner or as the centerpiece for a festive backyard gathering.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 4 generous portions (about one-half rack per person). Each serving contains approximately 550–650 calories, depending on the barbecue sauce used. Pork ribs are a rich protein source; best enjoyed as an occasional indulgence balanced by lighter sides.

Instant Pot Pork Ribs (Recap)

If you crave restaurant-style ribs but don’t want to fuss with grills or smokers, this Instant Pot method is your ticket to effortless, delicious barbecue any time of year.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly build a shopping list organized by grocery store sections, making meal planning and grocery trips fast, efficient, and stress-free.

Instructions

1. Pat the ribs dry. Remove the thin membrane from the back for the most tender results.
2. Combine paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and chili powder in a small bowl. Rub the mixture evenly over both sides of the ribs.
3. Pour water (or apple juice) and apple cider vinegar into the Instant Pot. Place the metal trivet inside.
4. Arrange ribs standing on their sides, wrapped in a circle on the trivet. Lock the lid and set to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” for 25 minutes (30 minutes for extra thick ribs).
5. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10–15 minutes, then finish with a quick release.
6. Preheat your broiler. Carefully transfer ribs to a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush generously with barbecue sauce.
7. Broil for 2–4 minutes, watching closely, until the sauce is bubbly and caramelized.
8. Slice between bones, garnish as desired, and serve hot with extra barbecue sauce.

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is a fantastic addition to any weekly meal rotation. Save and schedule this recipe in your meal planner to automatically consolidate all your ingredients and instantly generate a well-organized shopping list for the week.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically combines ingredients from every recipe you plan, ensuring you have just what you need
• Saves time by sorting your shopping list by grocery store department
• Prevents forgotten ingredients and accidental duplicate purchases
• Keeps your meal prep on track and stress-free!

Pro tip: When planning a week’s worth of meals, schedule recipes together to see overlapping pantry items (like spices or vinegar) for even more efficient shopping and less food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes (plus 10–15 minutes natural release)
Broil Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 55–60 minutes