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Recipe compliments of www.ITISAKEEPER.com

A close-up of several pieces of glazed Instant Pot barbecue ribs stacked on a plate, showcasing tender baby back ribs ready to savor.

Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

4.61 from 23 votes
These Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs are coated with a homemade dry rub and cooked to perfection. They're tender and flavorful, and are finished off with caramelized BBQ sauce.
Prep Time : 10 minutes
Cook Time : 40 minutes
Rub : 30 minutes
Total Time : 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Calories: 1192kcal
Author: Christina Hitchcock

Equipment

Ingredients
 

Dry Rub

Ribs

  • 12 ounces Beer
  • 18 ounces BBQ Sauce
  • 6 pounds Pork Ribs

Instructions
 

Rub

  • Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
  • Pat ribs dry on both sides with a paper towel and place on a rimmed baking sheet.
  • Liberally apply rub to both sides of the ribs and rub into the meat.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or as long as overnight.

Ribs

  • Cut ribs into sections with 3 ribs per section; Place in pressure cooker.
  • Pour in beer.
  • Cook for 25 minutes at high pressure.
  • Natural release for 10 minutes then quick release.
  • Preheat the over broiler.
  • Place ribs on a clean baking sheet and brush with BBQ sauce.
  • Broil ribs until sauce is caramelized, about 5 minutes.

Christina's Notes

    • Remove Membrane on the Back of the Ribs: Removing the thin membrane on your ribs is crucial. It can be slippery, but using a paper towel for grip helps. This allows seasonings to penetrate better and prevents a chewy texture. Slide a butter knife under the membrane to remove.
    • Pepper: Flavor the ribs even more with cayenne pepper and apple juice.
    • Sear for Flavor: Searing the ribs (if your Instant Pot has a sear function) adds depth of flavor and helps the rub adhere. It's an optional step, but recommended.
    • Liquid is Key: You must have liquid in the Instant Pot for pressure cooking. Apple cider vinegar, broth, or even just water work well. This creates the steam needed for tender ribs.
    • Rack 'Em Up: Using a trivet or rack keeps the ribs out of the liquid, preventing them from braising instead of steaming. This results in a better texture.
    • Natural Release: For the most tender ribs, release the pressure naturally for at least 15-20 minutes, or even longer. This allows the ribs to continue cooking gently.

MY NOTES