Fall-off-the-bone delicious Instant Pot baby back ribs in under an hour?! It’s possible! You don’t have to fire up your grill or smoker to enjoy a rack of succulent baby back ribs – and the results are just as amazing thanks to an easy sweet and smoky bourbon barbecue sauce.
So. The thing about ribs.
They’re such a summer food, but you either have to heat up your house by turning on the oven, or stand in front of open flames flipping them on your grill, right?
Hot on hot. Not great.
But what if I told you that, after 25 minutes in your Instant Pot, and only 12-15 in your oven, you could have tender, sticky-smoky-sweet baby backs? That delicious pork falling off the bone the same way traditionally prepared ribs do…and right into your mouth.
This page includes step by step instructions, as well as tips and notes. If you’d like to skip all that, feel free to scroll down to the full, printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
The origin of barbecue is relatively unknown, but ribs have been very popular in Asian cultures for quite a while. The concept of slow-cooked, cheap BBQ meat was established widely in America in the 19th century, and by the 1940s, Heinz had started their saucy empire and we were hooked.
Smoked ribs are one of the best flavors on the planet, hands down, and no grill or oven can produce the same result.
And if I’m being honest, neither can an Instant Pot. But pressure cooker ribs are delicious in their own right! They’re worth the tiny bit of effort you put into them in comparison, especially if you’re craving last minute ribs.
Ingredients
- Baby back ribs – I haven’t tested this recipe with other types of ribs, but I’m sure it’s possible with St. Louis, spare, or country style ribs, too!
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- Your favorite BBQ meat rub
- Beef or pork stock
- Liquid smoke – optional, but it adds a nice smoky flavor.
- Barbecue sauce – your favorite brand, or homemade.
- Bourbon – or whiskey or rye; also optional, but simmering it into the sauce adds a nice depth of flavor.
For exact ingredient measurements and recipe instructions, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post!
How to make Instant Pot baby back ribs
- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs and cut the rack into 4 equal pieces. Season generously with salt, pepper, and/or your favorite rub.
- Place the ribs into pressure cooker. Add beef or pork stock and liquid smoke (if using). Secure the lid and select Manual, cooking on high pressure for 25 minutes. Allow the pressure to naturally release, about 10 minutes, then open the vent at the top and remove the lid. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- In a bowl, add bourbon and barbecue sauce. Whisk well to combine.
- Transfer cooked ribs to a large baking sheet. Brush bourbon-barbecue sauce all over the baby back ribs on all sides, including the bones. Bake for 6 minutes on each side, or until the sauce caramelizes. Brush remaining sauce on ribs before serving.
What to serve with ribs
Ribs bring summer vibes to any season, so pair them up with anything you’d enjoy at a barbecue or picnic! Potato salad or crock pot baked potatoes, creamy baked mac and cheese, smoked corn on the cob, or a tangy pineapple coleslaw would be perfect choices.
These ribs are also fantastic served up as a living room tailgating treat! Put your other small appliances to work and make a batch of Instant Pot air fryer chicken wings! Or if you like to mix up flavors, Pork & Sauerkraut Cabbage Rolls or a spread of Korean Bulgogi Beef Tacos would be a tasty surprise.
Hungry for more BBQ recipes?
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Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
Ingredients
- 1 rack baby back ribs
- Kosher salt
- Cracked black pepper
- ¼ cup BBQ meat rub
- 1 cup beef stock
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- ¼ cup bourbon
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs and cut the rack into 4 equal pieces. Season generously with salt, pepper, and/or your favorite rub.
- Place the ribs into pressure cooker. Add beef stock and liquid smoke (if using). Secure the lid and select Manual, cooking on high pressure for 25 minutes. Allow the pressure to naturally release, about 10 minutes, then open the vent at the top and remove the lid. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- In a bowl, add bourbon and barbecue sauce. Whisk well to combine.
- Transfer cooked ribs to a large baking sheet. Brush bourbon-barbecue sauce all over the baby back ribs on all sides, including the bones. Bake for 6 minutes on each side, or until the sauce caramelizes. Brush remaining sauce on ribs before serving.
Amy Nash says
For the record, after seeing post after post of instant pot recipes, testing recipes for your book while borrowing my friend’s electric pressure cooker is what finally convinced me to buy one. 🙂 It should get here today and I’m so making these ribs!
Erica says
I am SO excited to hear this, Amy!!! You’re going to love it so much!!!
michele says
I really need to get an instant pot because these are right up my alley! They sound so tasty!– especially the bourbon sauce!
Erica says
These are definitely something you’d enjoy!! And the IP makes them so easy! It’s really a great investment!!