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instant pot baby back ribs

(1 rating)
Empebi avatar
Recipe by
Diana Perry
@Empebi
Martinez, GA

We love barbecued spare ribs and I wanted to see if I could make tender, well flavored ribs an easier way then using the outside grill or relying on baking. My Instant Pot has given me the perfect way to make ribs any time of the year, inside and to give a finished product that beats all our other methods!

(1 rating)
yield 4 to 6 hungry people
prep time 2 Hr 30 Min
cook time 1 Hr
method Pressure Cooker/Instant Pot

Ingredients For instant pot baby back ribs

  • 2
    baby back rib racks (4-5 pounds total)
  • 1 c
    apple juice or cider
  • 1/2 c
    water
  • 2 Tbsp
    cider vinegar (optional
  • DRY RIB RUB
  • 3 Tbsp
    dark brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp
    chili powder
  • 1 tsp
    each: onion powder; garlic powder; kosher salt; freshly ground pepper
  • 1/2 tsp
    ground red pepper (or more or less to taste)
  • 1 tsp
    liquid smoke flavoring

How To Make instant pot baby back ribs

  • 1
    Remove the clear skin from the underside of the ribs. I use a paring knife to get an opening under the skin on the wide end of the rack, Then I use my finger to enlarge opening. When I can grab it with a paper towel I pull toward the narrow end.
  • 2
    Put a cooling rack into a large pan to keep ribs above the pan. Sprinkle liberally on both sides of the ribs and rub to get seasoning well distributed. Place ribs on the rack and place in the refrigerator, uncovered for a minimum of 2 hours or up to overnight.
  • 3
    Mix liquid ingredients.
  • 4
    Place ribs into the Instant Pot with the meaty side against the side of the pan and on their edge. I curled the racks to fit into the pot.
  • 5
    Carefully pour the liquid into the pot making sure to not pour over the rub on the ribs.
  • 6
    Put the lid on the pot, and be sure your valve is set to "Sealing". Select the "pressure Cook" setting for 30 minutes (add another 5 minutes if you want "fall off the bone" ribs.) When pressure cook time beeps allow the pot to do a natural release for another 15 minutes. Carefully manually release the remaining pressure.
  • 7
    Heat your oven to "Broil". Place ribs back onto the cooling rack in the pan, lined with foil, that you used to let them air dry. Use your favorite barbecue sauce (I use "Sweet Baby Ray's Brown sugar and Hickory sauce.)
  • 8
    Broil the ribs about 8-10 minutes. Watch closely. You want a nice char, but do not want the surface to start to burn.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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