Tender Instant Pot Ribs: Quick Fall-Off-the-Bone Recipe

These Instant Pot ribs are so easy and flavourful, and are ready in under an hour! Fall off the bone, Instant Pot baby back ribs that everyone will love!

These Instant Pot baby back ribs are truly fantastic. I’ve made them multiple times and they’ve become my go-to method for ribs. They’re quick, deeply flavorful, and tender enough to fall off the bone in under an hour.

If you don’t have an Instant Pot, there’s an oven-baked version of this recipe that works just as well. This article essentially adapts that technique for a pressure cooker so you get tender ribs much faster.

The appeal of the Instant Pot method is speed without sacrificing texture or flavor. With a simple spice rub and a short pressure-cooking time, you can have restaurant-quality baby back ribs ready on a weeknight.

If you want a reliable, low-effort recipe that feeds a crowd and delivers consistent results, these Instant Pot baby back ribs are an excellent choice.

Should you remove the membrane from baby back ribs?

Yes — if your rack of baby back ribs has a membrane on the underside, it’s best to remove it. The membrane can be tough and prevents seasonings from penetrating the meat, so taking it off improves tenderness and flavor.

Removing the membrane is simple: slip a spoon or butter knife under the edge to loosen it, then grab and pull it away. A paper towel can help you grip it. It often comes off in one piece but can sometimes tear and need to be removed in sections.

Side dishes that pair well with these ribs

Easy cucumber salad
Homemade cream biscuits
Roasted baby potatoes with rosemary and garlic

How many ribs fit in an Instant Pot?

The number of racks you can fit depends on your Instant Pot size. An 8-quart model easily holds two large racks; some people can fit three depending on rack size and how they are arranged. A 6-quart Instant Pot can usually hold two racks if you curve them around the pot or cut one rack into pieces.

To make the most of the space, curve a rack around the edge of the trivet and place additional pieces inside that curve. Cutting a second rack into sections often makes loading simpler and ensures even cooking.

How to make Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

Remove the membrane from the underside of the ribs if present.
Mix the dry rub: brown sugar, kosher salt, chili powder, black pepper, cayenne, paprika, dried thyme, onion powder and garlic powder. Rub it thoroughly into both sides of the ribs.
Pour water, apple cider vinegar and optional liquid smoke into the Instant Pot and place the trivet inside.
Arrange the seasoned ribs on their sides over the trivet, curving them around the pot. Cut racks into smaller pieces if needed to fit.
Lock the lid and set the vent to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 25 minutes (allow ~10 minutes for the pot to come to pressure).
Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick-release any remaining pressure and carefully remove the ribs.
Brush ribs with BBQ sauce and broil on a baking sheet for 3–4 minutes until the sauce caramelizes. Flip and add more sauce if desired, broiling briefly each time.
If you prefer oven cooking, use the oven-baked ribs method as an alternative.

More Instant Pot recipes to try

Instant Pot teriyaki chicken
Instant Pot taco meat
Instant Pot spaghetti
Instant Pot creamy chicken noodle soup
Instant Pot turkey chili

Yield: serves 6

Instant Pot Ribs

These Instant Pot ribs are so easy and flavourful, and are ready in under an hour! These Instant Pot baby back ribs make the perfect meal!

Prep Time
10 minutes

Cook Time
25 minutes

Total Time
35 minutes

Ingredients

2 slabs pork baby back ribs
8 tablespoons brown sugar, lightly packed
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup water
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)
1 cup BBQ sauce

Instructions

Remove the membrane on the underside of the ribs, if it’s present.
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, salt, chili powder, black pepper, cayenne, paprika, thyme, onion powder, and garlic powder.
Rub the dry mix over both sides of the ribs until well coated.
Place the water, apple cider vinegar, and liquid smoke in the Instant Pot and set the trivet inside.
Arrange the ribs on their sides over the trivet, curving them around the pot. Cut into pieces if needed to fit.
Secure the lid and set the vent to sealing.
Cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. Allow time for the pot to come to pressure (about 10 minutes).
When cooking finishes, allow a natural release for 10 minutes, then quick-release any remaining pressure.
Transfer the ribs to a baking sheet and brush generously with BBQ sauce.
Broil for 3–4 minutes until the sauce bubbles and caramelizes, flipping and adding more sauce if you like.