Best Instant Pot Baby Back Pork Ribs

If you don't have hours to spend smoking or grilling pork ribs but you still want that smoky, "fresh off the grill" flavor - then this recipe is for you!

Thanks to the Instant Pot, these delicious BBQ Baby Back Ribs only take 25 minutes to cook and are so easy to make!

They are seasoned with a dry rib rub before pressure cooking with apple cider vinegar as a deep tenderizer along with liquid smoke for a subtle smoky flavor. The ribs are then brushed down with BBQ sauce before being broiled in the oven.

Talk about tender and flavorful, these finger-licking ribs will practically melt in your mouth!

Ingredients in this Recipe

Here is a list of the ingredients you will need for this recipe. The measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

• Baby back pork ribs - These are my favorite type of ribs for the pressure cooker since they tend to be more tender, leaner, and take less time to cook.
• Dry rib rub - Use my Sweet Dry Rub recipe for the perfect blend of spices and award-winning flavor! You can also use store-bought - I recommend this one!
• BBQ sauce - Try my delicious Southern Homemade BBQ Sauce for a sweet and tangy flavor that's finger-licking good! Store-bought will work just fine also.
• Apple juice - Helps build pressure in the Instant Pot and adds a sweet flavor to the ribs.
• Apple cider vinegar - Deeply tenderizes the meat while adding subtle sweetness.
• Liquid smoke - Makes the ribs taste like they're fresh out of the smoker!
• Salt - Helps tenderize the meat while pressure cooking.

How to Cook Baby Back Ribs in the Pressure Cooker

Here are the steps and process images for how to make this recipe. More detailed instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

• Start by rinsing the whole rack of ribs in water and then pat it dry with paper towels.

• Next, remove the membrane (silver skin) from the boney side of the ribs by sliding a butter knife under the membrane on top of a bone and pulling up. Grab the membrane with your hand or a paper towel and pull it off completely.

• Rub dry rib rub all over the rack of ribs on both sides. (You can either cook the ribs right away or wrap them in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.)

• Place the metal rack (trivet) into the bottom of the pressure cooker insert. Add apple juice, apple cider vinegar, liquid smoke, and salt into the bottom of the pot.

• Place the rack of ribs into the pot on top of the metal rack, standing them up on their side. Wrap them around the inside lining of the pot with the meaty side of the ribs facing outward.

• Close the lid and lock into place. Set the pressure valve to "Sealing" and pressure cook on "Manual" high pressure for 25 minutes. Once done, allow pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes, and then quick-release the remaining pressure according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Using tongs (I use 2 sets), carefully remove the ribs and place onto a large baking sheet.

• Set your oven to "Broil" (or the highest temperature setting).

• Generously brush ribs down with BBQ sauce on both sides.

• Place under the broiler for 5 minutes, until sauce is bubbly and starts to caramelize.

• Slice into individual ribs before serving. Serve with extra BBQ sauce and enjoy!

FAQ About This Recipe:

Other Recipes You'll Love!

• Sweet Dry Rub for Pork Ribs
• Southern Homemade BBQ Sauce
• Boudin Stuffed Pork Loin Wrapped in Bacon
• 2-1 Quick BBQ Pork Ribs
• Pan Seared Steak

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Be sure to check out my how-to video in the recipe card below!

Best Instant Pot BBQ Baby Back Ribs

By: Christi

The best, most delicious Baby Back Ribs recipe that only takes 25 minutes to cook in the Instant Pot! These flavorful BBQ pork ribs are pressure cooked with apple cider vinegar and are fall off the bone tender!

5 from 19 votes

Print Rate Pin

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Pressure Release Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 556 kcal

Recommended Equipment

• Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot
• Cooking Tongs
• Large Baking Sheet

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

For the Ribs

• 1 rack (2 to 3 pounds) baby back ribs
• 2 Tablespoons dry rib rub
• ¾ cup BBQ sauce

For the Pressure Cooking Liquid

• 1 cup apple juice
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon liquid smoke
• 1 Tablespoon salt

Instructions

 

• Rinse the whole rack of ribs in water and then pat dry with paper towels.
• Remove the membrane (silver skin) from the boney side of the ribs by sliding a butter knife under the membrane on top of a bone and pulling up. Using your hands or a paper towel, remove the membrane completely.
• Rub the dry rib rub all over the rack of ribs on both sides. (You can either cook the ribs right away or wrap them in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.)
• Place the metal rack (trivet) into the bottom of the pressure cooker insert. Add apple juice, apple cider vinegar, liquid smoke, and salt into the bottom of the pot.
• Place the rack of ribs into the pot on top of the metal rack, standing them up on their side. Wrap them around the inside lining of the pot with the meaty side of the ribs facing outward.
• Close the lid and lock into place. Set the pressure valve to "Sealing" and pressure cook on "Manual" high pressure for 25 minutes. Once done, allow pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes, and then quick-release the remaining pressure according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Using tongs (I use 2 sets), carefully remove the ribs and place onto a baking sheet.
• Set your oven to "Broil" (or the highest temperature setting).
• Generously brush ribs down with BBQ sauce on both sides. Place under the broiler for 5 minutes, until sauce is bubbly and starts to caramelize.
• Slice into individual ribs before serving. Serve with extra BBQ sauce and enjoy!

Notes

To cook 2 racks of ribs at the same time:

• double the amount of rib rub and BBQ sauce
• leave the cooking liquid amount the same
• leave the cook time the same

VIDEO

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 556 kcal | Fat: 25.7 g

*Nutritional facts are calculated by third party sources and are not always accurate. If you are on a special diet, we highly recommend you calculate these values personally.

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