How To Make Ribs in the Instant Pot

Introduction

Craving tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs, but short on time? Making ribs in the Instant Pot guarantees juicy, flavorful results in a fraction of the usual cooking time. This method infuses the meat with rich spices and sauce, creating ribs that are succulent and satisfying—perfect for family dinners or impressing guests at backyard gatherings.

Instant Pot Ribs: Flavor-Packed & Foolproof

What sets this recipe apart is the balance between speed and taste. The Instant Pot helps lock in moisture and flavors—your ribs come out wonderfully tender and seasoned all the way through, every time. With minimal prep and hands-off cooking, it’s a go-to recipe whether you’re a meal prepper or new to pressure cooking.

Choosing & Preparing Ribs for the Instant Pot

You can use either baby back ribs or spare ribs; just be sure to select racks with plenty of meat and marbling. For best flavor, remove the thin silver membrane from the bone side—it helps spices penetrate the meat. A generous dry rub made of brown sugar, smoky paprika, and spices creates incredible taste, even before the sauce hits.

Instant Pot Cooking: Fast, Easy, Delicious

Once seasoned, the ribs are placed on a rack or trivet in the Instant Pot, elevated above apple cider vinegar and water. The steam quickly tenderizes them, which means you get slow-cooked results, fast. After cooking, a quick broil in the oven adds a caramelized crust that’s irresistible.

Serving Suggestions for Show-Stopping Instant Pot Ribs

Serve these ribs hot, brushed with extra BBQ sauce and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Pair with classic sides like coleslaw, grilled corn, or roasted potatoes for a true feast. Slice and stack them on a platter for parties, or keep them whole for dramatic effect at the dinner table.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 hearty servings. Each serving contains approximately 400 to 500 calories (depending on the sauce used), with a rich source of protein and essential minerals—ideal for a satisfying main course.

Instant Pot Ribs Recap

This method delivers ultimate flavor and fall-apart tenderness in record time. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or prepping ahead for the week, Instant Pot ribs are always a crowd-pleaser and a perfect centerpiece for any meal.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list of all ingredients—sorted by store section—for faster, easier meal planning and shopping.

Instructions

1. Remove the silver membrane from the bone side of the ribs for best results. Pat ribs dry with paper towels.
2. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and chili powder. Generously rub the spice mixture all over the ribs.
3. Pour water and apple cider vinegar into the Instant Pot. Place a trivet or steaming rack inside.
4. Loop the rib rack into a circle and stand it on the trivet, bone side facing in.
5. Close the Instant Pot lid and ensure the valve is set to “sealing.” Set to Manual (Pressure Cook) for 25 minutes (baby back ribs) or 30 minutes (spare ribs).
6. Allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
7. Carefully remove the ribs (they’ll be very tender). Brush both sides with BBQ sauce and place on a foil-lined baking sheet.
8. Broil on high for 3–5 minutes until the sauce bubbles and caramelizes—watch carefully to prevent burning.
9. Slice between the bones, brush with more sauce if desired, and serve hot!

Weekly Meal Planning

Instant Pot ribs are a reliable dish for weekly meal prep, weekend dinners, or special occasions. Save and schedule this recipe to unlock smart shopping lists that consolidate ingredients from all your planned meals for the week.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically combines ingredient amounts across recipes
• Groups all items by grocery store department
• Helps avoid duplicate purchases and missing ingredients
• Makes your weekly meal prep and planning streamlined

Pro tip: When planning multiple recipes, schedule everything together and instantly see the total quantities you’ll need—minimizing kitchen waste and saving money.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes (plus 10 minutes natural release and 5 minutes broiling)
Total Time: 50–55 minutes