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    Urban Bliss Life » Blog » Instant Pot BBQ Ribs with Homemade BBQ Sauce

    Published: January 8, 2018 / Updated: June 10, 2022 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Instant Pot BBQ Ribs with Homemade BBQ Sauce

    197 shares
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    instant pot bbq ribs
    instant pot bbq ribs

    Instant Pot BBQ Ribs with Homemade BBQ Sauce is fall-off-the-bone tender and tangy, and ready in just about 30 minutes! This recipe includes homemade BBQ rub and homemade BBQ sauce, but you can use store-bought sauce and rub to save time.

    Instant Pot BBQ Ribs

    Many many years ago, the Instant Pot was introduced to the world. I fought purchasing this fancy new electric pressure cooker for a long time. And then, I finally caved and bought an 8-quart Instant Pot Duo.

    I fell IN LOVE. Hard. And to this day, I still use either my Instant Pot or my Ninja Foodi at least once almost every single day.

    The first Instant Pot recipe that I made all those years ago? Instant Pot BBQ Ribs. I've tweaked the recipe a bit over the years, but it's still one of our Go To dinner recipes that is in permanent rotation.

    What you need to make these ribs

    8 quart Instant Pot Duo

    You'll need either an 8-quart Instant Pot Duo or a 6-quart Instant Pot.

    You'll also need:

    • Instant Pot rack
    • Kitchen tongs
    • Baking sheet
    • Aluminum foil
    • Basting brush

    Making BBQ Ribs in the Instant Pot

    You'll actually start making the sauce first. It's a very simple one-pot recipe, which allows you to combine all ingredients, bring to a boil, and then simmer on low while the ribs are cooking.

    I adapted the spice rub, and instead of store-bought BBQ sauce, I added our special homemade BBQ sauce as the finishing touch.

    Instant Pot BBQ Ribs with Homemade BBQ Sauce

    If you want maximum flavor, you can start the sauce 30 minutes before you start making the ribs. That way, the sauce simmers for a full hour from start to finish, and the spices have even more time to mingle and the sauce is even more flavorful.

    Instant Pot BBQ Ribs with Homemade BBQ Sauce Side Angle

    Oh mama.

    These ribs came out PERFECT. They were juicy, tender, moist...everything you want ribs to be.

    And it only too 25 minutes to cook in the Instant Pot, and then a 5-minute finish in the broiler. AMAZING!!

    What to serve with BBQ Ribs

    • Ultimate Creamy Dairy-Free Mac and Cheese
    • Corn with Basil Lime Butter
    • Ricotta Crostini with Summer Berries and Honey
    • Air Fryer (Ninja Foodi) Broccoli

    These ribs are perfect for:

    • Game Day, tailgating/homegating parties
    • 4th of July barbecues
    • busy weeknight dinners
    • potlucks and picnics
    • feeding the whole hungry family!

    Instant Pot BBQ Ribs Recipe

    Instant Pot BBQ Ribs

    Instant Pot BBQ Ribs with Homemade BBQ Sauce

    5 from 11 votes
    Prep Time: 10 mins
    Cook Time: 30 mins
    Come to Pressure Time: 10 mins
    Total Time: 40 mins
    Recipe by Marlynn Schotland
    Instant Pot ribs are fast, fall-off-the-bone delicious, especially with this homemade BBQ sauce!
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 460kcal
    PRINT PIN RATE

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or other electric pressure cooker

    Ingredients

    Instant Pot ribs

    • 1 rack of baby back pork ribs
    • ¼ cup light brown sugar
    • 1 large garlic clove finely minced
    • 2 Tablespoons chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 cup water
    • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
    • ¼ teaspoon liquid smoke

    BBQ Sauce

    • 2 cups ketchup
    • 1 cup water
    • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
    • 5 tablespoons light brown sugar
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • 3 tablespoons sugar
    • ½ tablespoon ground black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

    Instructions

    Make the BBQ Sauce

    • In a medium saucepot over medium-high heat, combine all ingredients. Stir well, and bring mixture to a boil. Then reduce heat and simmer on low, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, make the ribs.

    Make the Instant Pot BBQ Ribs

    • In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, garlic, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Rub evenly over the ribs.
    • Place rack insert inside the Instant Pot. Place ribs standing on their side inside, on top of the rack insert, and wrap around the inside of the pot.
    • Carefully pour water, apple cider vinegar, and liquid smoke into the center of the pot, making sure you don't wash off any of the delicious seasoning on the ribs.
    • Close and secure the lid. Make sure the vent is turned to SEALING. Press PRESSURE COOK or MANUAL button and set to 25 minutes. The unit will take a few minutes to come to pressure (10-15 minutes), then pressure cooking will start. Once pressure cooking is complete, allow for Natural Release for 10 minutes, then use tongs to carefully turn the knob to VENTING to Quick Release.
    • During this time, don't forget to stir the BBQ sauce once in a while!
    • Once the pin is all the way down, indicating pressure has been released, carefully open the lid. Use tongs to remove the ribs from the pot, set on a foil-lined baking sheet, and brush with the barbecue sauce.
    • Broil for 5 minutes.
    • Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Instant Pot directions adapted from two sources: The Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cookbook, and I Wash, You Dry.
    Homemade BBQ Sauce recipe inspired by the Neely's BBQ Sauce.
    Tried this recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment! Then snap a pic of your dish and share it on social media. Tag @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 460kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 1926mg | Potassium: 772mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 64g | Vitamin A: 2057IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 101mg | Iron: 3mg

    Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.

    PIN IT:

    instant pot bbq ribs

    I LOVE my Instant Pot now, and I love these BBQ ribs!

    Do you have an Instant Pot? If so, what else do you love to make in it?

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    197 shares

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Jol says

        June 05, 2022 at 3:36 pm

        5 stars
        Mouthwatering! Easy to make and delish. It's a hit!

        Reply
      2. Erin @ Platings and Pairings says

        January 09, 2018 at 11:44 am

        5 stars
        I'm absolutely obsessed with the IP, but haven't tried ribs yet! They are definitely on the list and yours look amazing Marlynn! Love the tip to finish under the broiler.

        Reply
      3. Melissa Chee says

        January 08, 2018 at 3:57 pm

        5 stars
        This looks like a dish my family would love!

        Reply
        • Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says

          January 08, 2018 at 9:00 pm

          Thank you! :)

      4. Catherine says

        January 08, 2018 at 1:25 pm

        5 stars
        I can think of many people in my family who love this recipe!

        Reply
        • Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says

          January 08, 2018 at 8:59 pm

          Pass it on! Thanks, Catherine! :)

      5. Mary says

        January 08, 2018 at 12:52 pm

        I would be so fired if I even suggested cooking ribs in an instant pot ;).
        But the idea of them being done in less than 30 minutes is beyond amazing (ours usually take around 6 hours on the smoker!!!).
        I can't wait to see what else you come up with on your Instant Pot!! I'm slowly slowly starting to come around to the idea of getting one. If anything I'd get one just for making perfect rice ;)
        Also, I'm fascinated by all of the buttons. One just for yogurt???

        Reply
        • Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says

          January 08, 2018 at 8:58 pm

          Yes! It has so many capabilities! I'm still trying to figure it out!

      6. Kelsey says

        January 08, 2018 at 12:45 pm

        5 stars
        Yummm this is delicious, I couldn't wait to try it and love to have a new recipe for my Instant Pot!

        Reply
        • Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says

          January 08, 2018 at 8:57 pm

          Yay! Thanks, Kelsey!

      7. Pech says

        January 08, 2018 at 11:54 am

        5 stars
        I've been watching the IP trend for a while but still haven't jumped in but know of multiple people who got one this Christmas so curious to see whether it's justified to have another big appliance in my already full kitchen cabinets. You're right that the IP communities and recipes are strong out there!

        Reply
        • Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says

          January 08, 2018 at 8:57 pm

          They definitely are! The positive feedback is overwhelming!

      8. Melissa says

        January 08, 2018 at 11:21 am

        5 stars
        These ribs are delish!

        Reply
        • Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says

          January 08, 2018 at 8:55 pm

          It's a worthwhile buy! Thanks, Melissa!

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      Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

      Hey Hey! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. Here you'll find my fast, easy, and delicious recipes, wine pairings, and travel guides. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

      More about me →

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