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These fall-off-the-bone Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs are made with an irresistible apple honey BBQ sauce. They’re crispy on the outside, ultra tender on the inside and easier than ever to make!
The Best Instant Pot Ribs
Baby back ribs with barbecue sauce are the ultimate game-day, potluck or weeknight comfort food! But all that yumminess tends to come with a long wait by the oven. Not anymore! With the Instant Pot, juicy and flavorful ribs are cooked to perfection in less than half the time.
The sauce comes together with ease as well. It’s simmered on the stove until it reaches your ideal consistency. Then, it’s brushed over the ribs before they’re broiled in the oven to get nice and crispy!
What You’ll Need
Not only is the apple honey BBQ sauce full of flavor, but the ribs themselves are also rubbed with a fool-proof combination of seasonings. Let’s get into the recipe ingredients!
For the Baby Back Ribs
- Pork Loin Back Ribs: This recipe uses 3-4 pounds.
- Ground Ginger: For a hint of citrus flavor.
- Onion Powder: Just a couple teaspoons.
- Salt & Pepper: You’ll need 1 teaspoon of each.
- Ground Mustard: For a fresh and tangy flavor with a touch of heat.
- Apple Juice: Or water.
For the Apple Honey BBQ Sauce
- Shallots: Or onions, finely chopped.
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin.
- Apple Juice: Be sure to use 100% apple juice.
- Tomato Paste: You’ll need a 6-ounce can.
- Honey: Raw honey is best, if available.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: For flavor and added nutrients!
- Brown Sugar: To sweeten things up.
- Mustard: 2 tablespoons.
You can also use your favorite storebought or homemade barbecue sauce. Here are some suggestions:
How to Make Ribs in the Instant Pot
This recipe is super simple and straightforward. Here’s how to make delicious apple honey BBQ ribs with your Instant Pot:
Prepare the Ribs
Cut Ribs: Cut the ribs into smaller, manageable portions that will fit in your Instant Pot.
Combine Seasonings: In a small bowl, combine ginger, onion powder, salt, pepper and mustard.
Rub Ribs: Rub the seasoning mix evenly into the ribs, distributing it on both sides with your fingers.
Add to Instant Pot: Place the rubbed ribs in the Instant Pot and add juice or water carefully around the meat without loosening the seasoning.
Cook: Lock the lid and steam valve and set cooking to high pressure or manual (depending on the version of Instant Pot you’re using) for 25 minutes. While the ribs are cooking, prepare the sauce with the instructions below.
Release Pressure: Once cooking has completed, leave the Instant Pot untouched for another 15 minutes to allow the pressure to release naturally.
Complete Release: Turn the steam valve carefully to release any remaining pressure the rest of the way. Once the release has completed, it’s safe to open the lid.
Make the Sauce
Cook Shallots: Heat a medium-sized saucepan over low heat. Add the oil and shallots (or onions) and cook for about five minutes, until translucent and tender, stirring occasionally.
Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the apple juice, tomato paste, honey, vinegar, brown sugar and mustard and mix well.
Bring to Boil: Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring often.
Reduce Heat & Simmer: Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer for 15 minutes, or until it’s thickened to your desired consistency.
Let Cool: Allow the sauce to cool for at least 10 minutes before glazing the ribs.
Broil and Serve
Prep Workspace: Preheat the broiler and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
Glaze Ribs: Arrange the ribs in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and coat them liberally with sauce using a pastry brush.
Broil: Broil the ribs about 5-8 inches from the heat for 5-7 minutes, or until they just start to reach your desired crispiness.
Enjoy! Serve your ribs with the remaining sauce.
How Long to Cook Ribs
In the pressure cooker, pork loin back ribs cook in 25 minutes. This does not include the time it takes to release the pressure from the Instant Pot. Be sure to use the manual or high pressure setting when cooking your ribs, depending on which Instant Pot model you have.
Tips for Making Instant Pot Ribs
Check out the tips and tricks below so you can make perfect ribs every time!
- Remove Membrane: If you notice a piece of glossy white connective tissue along the back of the ribs, remove it by pulling it off. If you’re having trouble, try loosening it with a butter knife and using a small piece of paper towel to grip it.
- Season Ribs Well: Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty when rubbing the ribs with the seasoning mixture. You want to pack that flavor in there!
- Always Release Pressure: It’s super important to follow the recipe directions for releasing the pressure from your Instant Pot. Opening the lid before releasing the pressure could result in a dangerous explosion.
- Let Sauce Cool: The sauce needs to sit and cool for at least 10 minutes before it’s slathered onto the ribs.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Place cooled ribs in an airtight container or a resealable bag with all the air squeezed out. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days.
To reheat them, line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and add the ribs, pouring all of the leftover juices over them. Heat them in a 250°F oven until their internal temperature reaches 145°F and enjoy.
Can I Freeze Instant Pot Ribs?
Ribs can be frozen in a freezer bag with all of the air squeezed out for up to 3 months. Alternatively, you can wrap them well in two layers of aluminum foil. Thaw frozen ribs overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Best Side Dishes for Ribs
So, you’ve got the main course covered. What’s next? These side dishes are sure to impress.
- Serve with Coleslaw: Cool things down with a fresh plate of this Classic Coleslaw. It’ll be on the table and ready to go in just 15 minutes!
- Pair with Potato Salad: Creamy and refreshing, this Cheddar Bacon Ranch Potato Salad will be a hit at any potluck. It also keeps things healthy by using Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise.
- Serve with Corn Pudding: You’re in for a real treat with my Corn Pudding Casserole. A Southern classic, you don’t even need corn muffin mix to make it!
Best Instant Pot to Buy
I’m going to refer you over to my friends at Pressure Cooking Today for all the details about the best Instant Pot to buy. They have tested out many more than I have, and I’m sure answer all of your questions. But the actual answer to the question for which is best definitely depends on your budget and the size you need based on the many people you usually cook for.
- The Instant Pot Duo is your best budget-friendly option.
- You can get a mini Instant Pot if you are only cooking for one or two and need to save space.
- A 10-quart Instant Pot is great for feeding a crowd.
- Or you can even get a single appliance that does double-duty as a pressure cooker and an air fryer.
Easy Instant Pot Ribs
Equipment
- Stove
- Oven
Ingredients
For the Baby Back Ribs
- 3-4 lbs pork loin back ribs
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground pepper
- 1 tsp ground mustard
- 3/4 cup apple juice or water
For the Apple Honey BBQ Sauce
- 3 tbsp shallots or onions, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups 100% apple juice
- 6 oz can tomato paste
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp mustard
Instructions
Prepare the Ribs
- Cut the ribs into smaller, manageable portions that will fit in your Instant Pot.
- In a small bowl, combine ginger, onion powder, salt, pepper and mustard.
- Rub the seasoning mix evenly into the ribs, distributing it on both sides with your fingers.
- Place the rubbed ribs in the Instant Pot and add juice or water carefully around the meat without loosening the seasoning.
- Lock the lid and steam valve and set cooking to high pressure or manual (depending on the version of Instant Pot you’re using) for 25 minutes. While the ribs are cooking, prepare the sauce with the instructions below.
- Once cooking has completed, leave the Instant Pot untouched for another 15 minutes to allow the pressure to release naturally.
- Turn the steam valve carefully to release any remaining pressure the rest of the way. Once the release has completed, it's safe to open the lid.
Make the Sauce
- Heat a medium-sized saucepan over low heat. Add the oil and shallots (or onions) and cook for about five minutes, until translucent and tender, stirring occasionally.
- Add the apple juice, tomato paste, honey, vinegar, brown sugar and mustard and mix well.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring often.
- Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer for 15 minutes, or until it's thickened to your desired consistency.
- Allow the sauce to cool for at least 10 minutes before glazing the ribs.
Broil and Serve
- Preheat the broiler and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
- Arrange the ribs in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and coat them liberally with sauce using a pastry brush.
- Broil the ribs about 5-8 inches from the heat for 5-7 minutes, or until they just start to reach your desired crispiness.
- Serve your ribs with the remaining sauce and enjoy!
Notes
Did you make this?
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More Instant Pot Recipes
Want to try more easy Instant Pot recipes? The following dishes are calling your name!
The sauce sounds delicious!