Instant Pot Ribs
Pork ribs rubbed with spices, pressure cooked until tender, then glazed with barbecue sauce and finished under the grill. Four servings in 55 minutes.
Instant Pot Ribs: Step by Step
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Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs. Mix the sugar, paprika, salt, garlic powder and pepper and rub all over. Cut into 3 or 4 sections.
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Put the rack and 240 ml of water in the pot and stand the ribs upright around the wall, above the water.
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Lock the pressure cooker lid and pressure cook on high for 30 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
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Heat the grill to high. Lift the ribs onto a tray, brush with the barbecue sauce and grill for 5 minutes until sticky and lightly charred.
What Can Go Wrong
- Remove the membrane for tender ribs.
- Keep the ribs above the liquid.
- Handle gently after cooking; they are very tender.
- Grill for a few minutes for a sticky glaze.
A Little Background
Ribs take hours in the oven. Under pressure they take 30 minutes, and the meat comes out tender enough to pull from the bone with a fork.
The membrane on the back of the ribs has to go. It is a thin, tough skin that stays chewy however long you cook it. Slide a knife under it at one corner, grip with a paper towel and pull it off in a sheet.
Rub the spices in and cut the rack into sections that fit the pot. Stand them upright round the wall of the pot, curled, on the rack with 240 ml of water or stock below. The ribs must stay above the liquid, so they steam rather than boil.
After pressure cooking, the ribs are tender but pale. Brush with barbecue sauce and put them under a hot grill for 5 minutes until sticky and lightly charred. Handle them carefully; they fall apart.
To Go With It
Coleslaw · Corn on the cob · Baked beans · Potato wedges
Leftovers
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat covered at 180°C for 15 minutes.
Quick Answers
How long does Instant Pot Ribs take to make?
About 55 minutes in total — 10 minutes of preparation and 45 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 4.
What are the key tips for making Instant Pot Ribs?
Remove the membrane for tender ribs. Keep the ribs above the liquid. Handle gently after cooking; they are very tender. Grill for a few minutes for a sticky glaze.
What should I serve with Instant Pot Ribs?
Coleslaw; Corn on the cob; Baked beans; Potato wedges.
How should Instant Pot Ribs be stored?
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat covered at 180°C for 15 minutes.
Is Instant Pot Ribs suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is dairy-free and high-protein. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Instant Pot Ribs?
About 1059 kcal per serving, with 57 g protein, 21 g carbohydrate and 83 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
What's in a Serving
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.
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