These Instant Pot Ribs are a game-changer for rib lovers who don’t want to spend hours waiting for that fall-off-the-bone tenderness. In just about an hour, you’ll have perfectly cooked, flavorful ribs that finish with a delicious caramelized BBQ glaze. This recipe combines the speed of pressure cooking with a quick oven finish for that authentic BBQ experience without the all-day wait!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Incredibly Fast: Traditional ribs take hours, but these are ready in under an hour while still achieving that fall-off-the-bone texture you crave.
Foolproof Method: Even if you’ve never made ribs before, the Instant Pot makes it nearly impossible to mess up. The pressure cooker environment ensures tender meat every time.
Restaurant-Quality Results: The combination of a flavorful dry rub, pressure cooking, and oven finishing creates ribs that rival your favorite BBQ joint.
Year-Round BBQ: No need to wait for grilling season – enjoy mouthwatering ribs any time of year, regardless of weather.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Kosher Salt: The foundation of our rub that enhances all other flavors. Its coarser texture adheres better to the meat than table salt.
Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that beautiful caramelization when finished in the oven.
Black Pepper: Provides essential spice and depth to balance the sweetness.
Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: These aromatics create a savory base flavor that permeates the meat during cooking.
Chili Powder: Adds mild heat and that classic BBQ color and flavor profile.
Crushed Red Pepper: Brings just enough heat to wake up your taste buds without overwhelming the other flavors.
Baby Back Ribs: The star of the show! These tender ribs have the perfect meat-to-bone ratio for this cooking method.
Coke: The secret ingredient! The sugars help tenderize the meat while the acids break down tough fibers. Plus, it creates the steam needed for pressure cooking.
Liquid Smoke: Just a touch gives you that authentic outdoor BBQ flavor without the smoker.
BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite for the final glaze. Whether you prefer sweet, spicy, or tangy, this recipe works with any style.

Variations

Want to customize your ribs? Try these delicious twists:

Spice Level: Adjust the red pepper flakes up or down depending on your heat preference. For extra spicy ribs, add a dash of cayenne to the rub.
Different Sodas: Try Dr. Pepper, root beer, or cherry cola instead of regular Coke for subtle flavor differences.
Asian-Inspired: Replace the BBQ sauce with a mixture of hoisin, soy sauce, honey, and sriracha for an Asian flavor profile.
Different Ribs: This recipe works beautifully with St. Louis style ribs or spare ribs too – just add 5-10 minutes to the pressure cooking time for these meatier cuts.

How to Make Instant Pot Ribs

Step 1: Prepare the Rub

Combine kosher salt, brown sugar, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and crushed red pepper in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly until all spices are evenly distributed throughout the rub.

Step 2: Prep the Ribs

Flip the rack of ribs to the back side and locate the thin, shiny membrane. Starting at one end, slide a butter knife under the membrane to loosen it, then grab it with a paper towel (gives you better grip) and pull firmly to remove the entire sheet. This step is crucial for tender ribs!

Step 3: Season the Ribs

Apply the prepared rub generously to both sides of the ribs, massaging it into the meat to ensure it adheres well and penetrates the surface.

Step 4: Arrange in Instant Pot

Curl the seasoned ribs into a circular pattern and place them inside the Instant Pot, standing them on edge to form a ring. This positioning allows for even cooking and proper fit.

Step 5: Add Liquid

Pour the can of Coke into the center of the pot (not directly over the ribs), then add the liquid smoke. These ingredients create the cooking environment and infuse flavor while the ribs cook.

Step 6: Pressure Cook

Secure the Instant Pot lid, ensure the valve is set to “sealing,” and set to Manual High Pressure for 30 minutes. Turn off the “Keep Warm” function.

Step 7: Natural Release

Once the cooking cycle completes, allow the pressure to release naturally (about 10-15 minutes). This prevents the meat from toughening due to sudden pressure changes.

Step 8: Finish in Oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Carefully transfer the cooked ribs to a broiler pan or a baking sheet lined with foil. Brush generously with your favorite BBQ sauce on both sides.

Step 9: Caramelize the Sauce

Place the sauced ribs in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, watching carefully to ensure the sauce caramelizes without burning. This step creates that beautiful sticky glaze and adds the final layer of flavor.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Membrane Removal: Don’t skip removing the membrane! This tough layer prevents flavor penetration and becomes chewy when cooked.
Curved Positioning: Arranging the ribs in a circle against the wall of the Instant Pot ensures even cooking and proper fit.
Watch During Broiling: Every oven is different, so keep a close eye during the final browning step to prevent burning the sugar in the BBQ sauce.
Rest Before Cutting: Let the ribs rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven for the juices to redistribute before slicing.
Cut Between Bones: For clean, beautiful portions, make sure to slice between the bones rather than through them.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

These ribs are the star of the show, but they pair beautifully with classic BBQ sides like:

Creamy coleslaw
Baked beans
Cornbread
Mac and cheese
Potato salad

Presentation

For a stunning presentation, slice into 2-3 rib portions and stack them on a platter. Brush with additional warm BBQ sauce just before serving for a glossy finish, and garnish with chopped parsley or sliced green onions for color.

Sauce on the Side

Always offer extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping – some folks like their ribs extra saucy!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Freezing

These ribs freeze beautifully! After cooking but before the oven finishing step, cool completely and wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before finishing with BBQ sauce and baking.

Reheating

For best results, reheat leftover ribs in a 300°F oven, covered with foil, for about 20 minutes until warmed through. Add a tablespoon of water or apple juice to the bottom of the pan to create steam and prevent drying. Finish with a fresh brush of BBQ sauce.

FAQs

Can I use spare ribs instead of baby back ribs?
Absolutely! Spare ribs are thicker and meatier, so you’ll need to increase the pressure cooking time to about 35-40 minutes. The end result will be just as delicious, with a slightly different meat-to-bone ratio.

Why is removing the membrane important?
The membrane is a tough layer on the back of the ribs that prevents flavor penetration and becomes chewy and unpleasant when cooked. Removing it allows your rub and sauce to flavor the meat from both sides and results in more tender ribs that are easier to eat.

Can I make these ribs without an Instant Pot?
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker by cooking on low for 6-8 hours, then finishing in the oven as directed. You can also use the oven method entirely by wrapping seasoned ribs tightly in foil with a small amount of liquid, baking at 300°F for 2.5-3 hours, then finishing unwrapped with BBQ sauce at 400°F.

My ribs came out tough. What happened?
The most common causes are not removing the membrane, quick-releasing the pressure (always use natural release), or not cooking them long enough. Baby back ribs should cook for at least 30 minutes, while thicker cuts need more time. If using older or lower-quality ribs, they might need extra cooking time as well.

Final Thoughts

These Instant Pot Ribs really are a revelation – delivering that slow-cooked taste in a fraction of the time. I make them regularly for family dinners and they never fail to impress. The combination of the flavorful rub, pressure cooking, and that final BBQ glaze creates the perfect texture and taste. Give them a try the next time you’re craving ribs but don’t want to wait all day – I promise they’ll become a staple in your recipe collection!

Instant Pot Ribs Recipe