Instant Pot Ribs

Instant Pot Ribs-No grill needed! An Instant Pot + Ribs + BBQ sauce = a ridiculously easy way to make the most tender, juicy and incredibly flavorful ribs. . Enjoy summertime BBQ flavors any time of the year!

The Instant Pot does many things well...BBQ Ribs would one thing it does exceptionally well! These Baby Back Ribs are layered in the Instant pot and cooked in a mixture of apple juice and cider vinegar.  Slathered in  BBQ sauce and a popped  under the broiler for few minutes for some extra caramelization.  The combination yields the most tender, fall-off-the-bone delicious ribs!

How to make Ribs in the Instant Pot

1. Remove the membrane ( also called “silverskin”) from each rack of ribs (more detailed instructions below). Cut rack(s) in half crosswise.
2. Stack the ribs, meat side down, in the Instant Pot. Pour the apple juice and cider vinegar over the ribs. Secure the lid and set vent to SEALING. Select  the MEAT/STEW function and set for 20 mins. on HIGH PRESSURE. When the cooking cycle has completed allow pot to NATURALLY RELEASE for 15 minutes.
3. While the pressure is releasing, preheat oven to broil, and line a sheet pan with aluminum foil.  Once pressure has naturally released for 15 minutes, move the pressure release valve to VENTING / QUICK RELEASE to remove any remaining pressure.
4. Carefully remove ribs, with tongs and place on the prepared sheet pan.  Brush ribs with BBQ sauce and place under broiler until the BBQ sauce has become caramelized and the edges begin to brown (about 5-8 minutes). Remove from oven, cut the ribs apart, and serve.

Recipe Notes:

How to remove the membrane or “silverskin”  from baby back ribs

Pork ribs have a membrane (sometimes called “silverskin”) on the underside of the ribs that needs to be removed before cooking.  Removing the membrane means more tender and flavorful ribs.

Depending on where you bought your ribs you may need to remove the membrane, here's how :

• Place the rack bone side up (which is also the side with the membrane)  on a cutting board .
• Starting at one end of the rack, slip a knife tip under the translucent membrane. Keep using the knife to loosen up enough to be able to get a good grasp on the membrane. You may want to use a paper towel to get a better grip.
• Once you’ve got a good grip, peel the membrane off the ribs. It should peel in one big sheet, if not simply use the knife tip again to loosen up the silverskin and continue to peel.

The Final Step- Broiling the ribs in the oven

I highly recommend finishing off the ribs by brushing with BBQ sauce and placing under the broiler for 5-8 minutes , until the sauce gets caramelized and edges become slightly charred.

But, it’s a completely optional step. You can also just brush the ribs with BBQ sauce and eat them straightaway (no broiling). Either way is delicious!

What to serve with BBQ Baby Back Ribs

BBQ Ribs are so full of flavor! Here are a few BBQ side dish ideas that pair nicely.

Sides that can be made in the Instant Pot

1. Ranch Style Bean
2. Sesame Green Beans
3. Cornbread Bites

You can make more than just Baby Back Ribs in the Instant Pot

Try Instant Pot Country Style BBQ Ribs - These ribs start out with a dry rub, with just the right balance of sweet and spicy and your favorite BBQ sauce and are finished off with a few minutes in the oven for some browning/caramelizing that makes for that perfect barbecue sticky glaze.

*recipe adapted from The Essential Instant Pot Cookbook by Coco Morante ( BBQ Baby Back Ribs pg. 94) (affiliate link)