Baby back ribs used to be an all-day project. With the Instant Pot, you get that same fall-off-the-bone tenderness in about an hour — no smoker, no babysitting, no waiting.
The method here is simple: season the ribs with a dry rub, pressure cook until they’re deeply tender, then hit them under the broiler with your favorite BBQ sauce to get that caramelized, sticky finish. It’s the part that makes them look and taste like they’ve been cooking all day.
These are perfect for a weeknight when you’re craving something hearty, or for feeding a crowd without the stress. Once you make ribs this way, it’s hard to go back to any other method.
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Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 rack baby back pork ribs
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup barbeque sauce or as needed
Instructions
- Combine kosher salt, brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Cut rack of ribs into 4 equal portions. Rub all sides of each piece with spice mixture.
- Pour broth into a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot). Add ribs in a teepee formation. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer’s instructions; set timer for 30 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Release pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer’s instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Transfer ribs to the prepared baking sheet. Brush ribs on all sides with barbeque sauce.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 7 minutes. Turn ribs and continue baking until meat pulls away easily from the bone, about 7 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).
