Making ribs doesn’t have to be a big, laborious project if you have an Instant Pot! Just spread a simple rub on them, let the Instant Pot make them fall-off-the-bone tender, and finish them off under the broiler with your favorite BBQ sauce!

You will love this Instant Pot Ribs Recipe

I swear Instant Pots are magical. In just an 18-min pressurized cycle, you can have tender, juicy ribs that just need a little saucy broiler action.

If you have an 8-qt Instant Pot you can probably fit 3 racks of ribs in there, but if not, you can do two batches and make enough for a crowd.

This recipe works well with any basic steak seasoning/rub you like to use and your favorite BBQ sauce. I linked to my favorite homemade BBQ sauce recipe below if you’re looking for something with less sugar.

Pork Ribs Instant Pot Ingredients

• Pork baby back ribs
• Steak seasoning
• BBQ sauce

How to make Ribs in the Instant Pot

1. Place the ribs on a large rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle the steak seasoning over the ribs — back and front. Cover the whole thing with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours, up to 24 hours.
2. When you’re ready to cook the ribs, put a cup of water and the rack in the insert pot of your pressure cooker.
3. Place the ribs in the cooker on their sides. If your racks are particuarly large you may need to cut them in half to make them fit.
4. Close the cooker and set the steam valve to “sealing”. Cook on high pressure for 18 minutes. Allow the cooker to release steam naturally for 10-15 minutes before releasing steam manually. (Don’t skip this step — it’ll help your ribs be more tender!)
5. While the ribs are cooking, turn on your oven broiler to high and line another rimmed baking sheet with parchment or foil.
6. When the ribs are finished, put them on the newly prepared baking pan and brush the tops with BBQ sauce. Broil for 3-5 minutes until the BBQ sauce begins to bubble. Brush with another layer of BBQ sauce on them and broil for another 3-5 minutes.
7. Remove from the oven, slice into 1-2 rib pieces and serve with remaining BBQ sauce. And lots of napkins!

I do want to say that these racks are pretty small. I bought some well-sourced ones from a local hippie grocery store and they tend to be much smaller than the regular ones you see at Costco or the grocery store.

If you’re using the regular rib racks that are much larger, you can probably just get one rack in there. I cut it in half so it fits better.

They’re not super photogenic when they come out. 

But they should be pretty tender.

Now, grab some BBQ sauce. Whatever kind you want.

Storing leftover Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

These are so delicious I doubt you’ll have any leftovers – but if you do have that predicament, you can store them in the fridge for up to 4 days. I like reheating them under the broiler until heated through.

What sauces to pair with Instant Pot Pork Ribs

I have a few healthy, low-sugar BBQ sauce recipes if you want to check them out! You can make any of them low carb by swapping out the sweetener

Balsamic BBQ Sauce

Raspberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce

Honey Lime BBQ Sauce

After a quick trip under the broiler and a couple more layers of that BBQ sauce brushed on, voila! 

You’ll love these. They’re ridiculously easy and turn out fabulous every. single. time.

What to serve with Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

These are some of my favorite side dishes for ribs:

Sweet Potato Fries

Magical Sauteed Green Beans

Costco Copycat Sweet Kale Salad

Cucumber Jicama Slaw

Instant Pot Steakhouse Mashed Potatoes — I make this the most often with ribs. The recipe is in my cookbook — The Big Book of Paleo Pressure Cooking. I love having a second Instant Pot for times like this!

Ribs in Instant Pot FAQs

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Ribs (Instant Pot)

Yield: Serves 5-6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Additional Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 3 hours

Using an Instant Pot is the fastest and easiest way to get fall-off-the-bone ribs! Letting them marinate in some seasoning and finishing them off in the broiler with your favorite BBQ sauce are the secrets to making these spectatular. (And easy enough for a weeknight meal!)

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Ingredients

• 2-3 pounds pork baby back ribs
• 2 Tablespoons steak seasoning
• 2 cups BBQ sauce

Instructions

1. Place the ribs on a large rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle the steak seasoning over the ribs -- back and front. Cover the whole thing with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours, up to 24 hours.
2. When you're ready to cook the ribs, put a cup of water and the rack in the insert pot of your pressure cooker.
3. Place the ribs in the cooker on their sides (see photo in post). If your racks are particuarly large you may need to cut them in half to make them fit.
4. Close the cooker and set the steam valve to "sealing". Cook on high pressure for 18 minutes. Allow the cooker to release steam naturally for 10-15 minutes before releasing steam manually. (Don't skip this step -- it'll help your ribs be more tener!)
5. While the ribs are cooking, turn on your oven broiler to high and line another rimmed baking sheet with parchment or foil.
6. When the ribs are finished, put them on the newly prepared baking pan and brush the tops with BBQ sauce. Broil for 3-5 minutes until the BBQ sauce begins to bubble. Brush with another layer of BBQ sauce on them and broil for another 3-5 minutes.
7. Remove from the oven, slice into 1-2 rib pieces and serve with remaining BBQ sauce. And lots of napkins.

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  Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Saute, Yogurt Maker, and Warmer, 6 Quart