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Fall Off the Bone Instant Pot Ribs Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 73 reviews
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Fall Off the Bone Instant Pot Ribs recipe offers tender, flavorful baby back pork ribs cooked quickly using an Instant Pot and finished under the broiler for a caramelized BBQ glaze. A delicious homemade spice rub enhances the meat, while a rich, tangy BBQ sauce complements the ribs perfectly. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or special occasion when you want fall-apart ribs without the long cooking time.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Spice Rub

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons salt

For the Ribs

  • 1 rack baby back pork ribs
  • 1 1/4 cup apple juice
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

For the BBQ Sauce

  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (store bought)
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce (like Texas Pete)
  • 1/4 cup ribs cooking liquid (from Instant Pot)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Spice Rub: In a small bowl, combine all the spice rub ingredients thoroughly to create a balanced mixture of sweet, smoky, and spicy flavors.
  2. Prepare Ribs: Rinse the baby back ribs under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Carefully remove the membrane on the back of the ribs for tender results.
  3. Season Ribs: Generously rub both sides of the ribs with the prepared spice mixture, ensuring even coverage for maximum flavor.
  4. Set Up Instant Pot: Place the trivet or pressure cooker rack inside the bottom of the Instant Pot. Pour in the apple juice and apple cider vinegar to create a flavorful steam.
  5. Pressure Cook Ribs: Arrange the ribs standing upright and around the sides of the Instant Pot, close the lid securely. Cook on high pressure for 23 minutes for standard ribs or 25 minutes if ribs are meaty.
  6. Release Pressure: Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 5 minutes after cooking, then carefully turn the valve to release any remaining pressure and open the lid.
  7. Make BBQ Sauce: Meanwhile, combine store-bought BBQ sauce, ketchup, maple syrup, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce in a small saucepan. Simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors.
  8. Add Cooking Liquid: After ribs are done, scoop 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid from the Instant Pot and stir it into the BBQ sauce. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes on low heat to enhance the sauce’s meaty flavor.
  9. Braise Under Broiler: Remove ribs from Instant Pot and place on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Brush ribs generously with the BBQ sauce on both sides. Broil for about 5 minutes or until the ribs are slightly charred and caramelized to add texture and flavor.
  10. Serve: Serve ribs warm with remaining BBQ sauce on the side for dipping or additional glazing.

Notes

  • The cooking liquid from the Instant Pot adds a rich, meaty flavor to the BBQ sauce, but you can substitute broth, apple juice, or water if preferred. Omitting the cooking liquid will result in thicker sauce.
  • Broiling the ribs is optional but recommended for enhanced flavor and caramelization. If you skip broiling, simply coat the ribs with BBQ sauce and serve.
  • You can double the recipe quantities without increasing the cooking liquid. For doubled ribs, increase pressure cooking time by 8 minutes.
  • For different rib types, adjust pressure cooking times: Spare ribs need 30-35 minutes with 20 minutes natural release; St. Louis style ribs require the same timing. Always allow natural pressure release to ensure tenderness.
  • Removing the membrane from ribs before cooking is essential for tender and flavorful results.

Find it online: https://oliviadinner.com/fall-off-the-bone-instant-pot-ribs-recipe/