Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

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These Instant Pot Ribs aren’t just quick—they’re game-changers. No babysitting the grill for hours, no stressing over perfect temps—just fall-off-the-bone, finger-lickin’ goodness in under an hour. Easy, foolproof, and downright delicious—this is how ribs were meant to be made!

My Family’s Favorite “No-Fuss” Ribs – The Weeknight BBQ Hack You Need

At my house, ribs aren’t just dinner—they’re a request (or let’s be honest, a demand). My son will beg for them, and my husband? He’s just thrilled that I found a way to make them without him having to fire up the grill. The best part? These Instant Pot ribs taste like they’ve been slow-cooked all day, but they’re on the table in under an hour.

If you’ve ever wanted fall-off-the-bone, saucy, smoky ribs without the hassle, this is your answer. No standing over a smoker, no stressing over perfect grill temps—just quick, easy, finger-lickin’ goodness every single time. Whether it’s a busy weeknight, a last-minute Sunday dinner, or a rained-out cookout, this recipe never disappoints!

Here’s what you need!

• Baby Back Ribs or Spare Ribs – Baby backs are more tender and lean, cooking up beautifully in the Instant Pot. Spare ribs are meatier and richer but need a little extra cook time to get just as tender. Either way, you’ll end up with fall-off-the-bone goodness!
• Garlic Salt – Adds depth and enhances the overall flavor. (I always use Lawry’s Garlic Salt with Parsley—it’s my go-to!)
• Brown Sugar – Brings a hint of caramelized sweetness that balances out the smoky and savory flavors.
• Cayenne Pepper – Just enough heat to keep things interesting! Adjust to your spice level.
• Paprika – Smoky and slightly sweet, giving the ribs that classic BBQ flavor.
• Coke, Beer, or Root Beer – Each one adds its own unique depth of flavor, so go with what you love (or what you have on hand!).
• Liquid Smoke – A little goes a long way to bring that backyard grill taste, even when you’re cooking indoors.
• BBQ Sauce – The finishing touch! Whether you like it sweet, smoky, or spicy, just slather it on and let the broiler work its magic.

How to Cook Ribs in an Instant Pot

Step 1: Prep the Ribs

Rinse the ribs and pat them dry. 

If your ribs still have that thin, shiny membrane on the back, you can remove it. (or skip this if you’re short on time—I won’t tell!).

Just flip the ribs over, meat-side down. Use your fingers or a dull knife (like a butter knife) to loosen the membrane from the bone.

Then, grab a paper towel for a good grip and peel it right off. Easy peasy! Toss it, and you’re good to go.

Step 2: Season the Ribs

Mix the garlic salt, brown sugar, cayenne, and paprika.

Step 3: Season the Ribs

Then give those ribs a good rub-down on both sides. Make sure every inch is coated—this is where the magic starts!

Step 4: Arrange Ribs Inside Instant Pot

Place the trivet (or rack) in the bottom of a 6-quart or larger Instant Pot.

Pour in your choice of Coke, beer, or root beer.

Then, add a few drops of liquid smoke for that deep, smoky flavor in the bottom.

Next, stand the ribs up on top of the rack, curving them around the pot (meaty side facing out).

If the ribs are too large, you can cut them into halves or thirds so they fit nicely in the Instant Pot.

Step 5: Cover and Pressure Cook

Cover and seal “lock” the instant pot.

Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs Time

Baby Back Ribs: Cook on high pressure for 23 minutes or increase to 25 minutes (if extra meaty or cooking multiple racks). Let the pressure naturally release for 5 minutes, then carefully vent or “manually release” the pressure.

Spare Ribs: Cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release completely (takes about 15 minutes). You’ll know it’s done when the pin drops!

Step 5: Broil for the Perfect Finish

Preheat your oven to broil. Transfer the cooked ribs to a baking sheet, slather on your favorite BBQ sauce.

Then, broil for about 5 minutes—just long enough to get that sticky, caramelized finish. Watch them closely so they don’t burn!

My favorite bottled sauce is KC Masterpiece. It has a little kick and a little sweetness. I also use the one from my Honey Chipotle BBQ Wings sometimes.

Tips for Cooking Ribs (in Instant Pot)

• Don’t skip the seasoning! A good spice rub is the foundation of flavor, so make sure to coat those ribs generously.
• Membrane removal is optional. If you want extra tender ribs, peel it off. But if you’re short on time, no worries—it’ll still be delicious!
• Stand the ribs up. Arranging them in a circle inside the Instant Pot ensures even cooking and maximizes space.
• Natural release matters. Letting the pressure release naturally (at least 5 minutes for baby backs and fully for spare ribs) keeps the meat tender and juicy.
• Broil for the perfect finish. Brushing on BBQ sauce and broiling for a few minutes gives you that caramelized, sticky, finger-licking goodness. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn!
• Experiment with cooking liquids. Coke, beer, or root beer all add their own unique depth of flavor—use what you love!

Storage

•  Make-Ahead: Season the ribs up to a day in advance and store them covered in the fridge until ready to cook.
• Storage: Leftover ribs? No problem! Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Warm in a 350°F oven, covered with foil, for about 15 minutes, or pop them in the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp them up. You can also reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments.
• Freezing: Cooked ribs freeze beautifully! Once cooled, wrap tightly in foil, then place in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat as above.

Recipe

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Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Time Instant Pot to Pressurize: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Nikki Lee

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These Instant Pot ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender, packed with smoky-sweet BBQ flavor, and ready in under an hour! Pressure-cooked to juicy perfection, then broiled for a caramelized, finger-lickin’ finish—this is weeknight BBQ made easy!

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Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 rack ribs, baby back or spare ribs
• ▢ 1 tbsp garlic salt
• ▢ ¼ cup brown sugar
• ▢ ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• ▢ 1 tsp paprika
• ▢ 1 can coke, beer or root beer
• ▢ ¼ tsp liquid smoke
• ▢ ¼ cup BBQ sauce, (or to taste)

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Instructions

• Rinse the ribs and pat them dry. If your ribs still have that thin, shiny membrane on the back, you can remove it.

  Flip the ribs over, meat-side down. Use your fingers or a dull knife (like a butter knife) to loosen the membrane from the bone. Then, grab a paper towel for a good grip and peel it right off. Then, discard the membrane.
• In a small bowl, mix together garlic salt, cayenne pepper, paprika, and brown sugar.
• Place the trivet (or rack) in the bottom of a 6-quart or larger Instant Pot. Pour in your choice of Coke, beer, or root beer, then add liquid smoke.
• Place the ribs upright on the rack, with the meat side facing out. If you’re using one large rack of ribs, curve them around the pot.

  If the ribs are too large, you can cut them into halves or thirds so they fit.
• Cover and seal the instant pot. It will take the Instant Pot about 10 minutes to come to pressure.

  Baby Back Ribs: Cook on high pressure for 23 minutes or increase to 25 minutes (if extra meaty or cooking multiple racks). Let the pressure naturally release for 5 minutes, then carefully vent or "manually release" the pressure.

  Spare Ribs: Cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release completely (takes about 15 minutes). You’ll know it’s done when the pin drops!
• Set oven to broil. Place ribs on a baking sheet lined with foil for easy cleanup. Brush BBQ Sauce on the ribs. Put the baking sheet in the oven and broil for about 5 minutes or until sauce in cooked in and caramelized.  Keep an eye on them as ovens vary.

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Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving Calories: 57kcal (3%) Carbohydrates: 14g (5%) Protein: 0.2g Fat: 0.2g Saturated Fat: 0.04g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g Monounsaturated Fat: 0.04g Trans Fat: 0.003g Cholesterol: 0.1mg Sodium: 1289mg (56%) Potassium: 51mg (1%) Fiber: 0.3g (1%) Sugar: 13g (14%) Vitamin A: 260IU (5%) Vitamin C: 0.2mg Calcium: 13mg (1%) Iron: 0.2mg (1%)

Nutritional Disclaimer

Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

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