Instant Pot BBQ Baby Back Ribs

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Looking for a delicious recipe for your next BBQ? These Instant Pot BBQ Baby Back Ribs are to die for! They are literally fall off the bone good!

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Why You’ll Love this BBQ RIBS Recipe

This is one of my favorite rib recipes, and here’s why:

• They are bursting with flavor. Instead of just slapping on some BBQ sauce, you are making your own rub for the ribs which is packed with a sweet and savory flavor.
• Simple ingredients. You won’t have to search high and low for the ingredients needed. In fact, you probably already have most of them.
• So easy to make. This recipe makes your ribs so tender that they literally fall off the bone, but you won’t do much work to get them that way!

Baby Back Ribs Ingredients

You may need to get a few items at the grocery store, so get out that shopping list! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Baby back ribs: This recipe is for pork ribs, so make sure you get baby back pork ribs.
• Brown sugar: Make sure you have brown sugar to make the rub for your ribs.
• Vinegar: The best vinegar for this recipe is apple cider vinegar. It really brings out the flavors of the seasonings.
• Seasonings: In addition to the brown sugar, you will need salt, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper.

For a full list of exact ingredients, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page

How to Make Instant Pot BBQ Baby Back Ribs

You’ll have dinner on the table in a jiffy by following these simple steps!

Step 1: Remove the Membrane

Peel the membrane off the back of the ribs (instructions below)

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a small bowl mix together the brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper.

Step 3: Massage the Rub on the Baby Back Ribs

Next, massage the rub to the top layer of your ribs.

Step 4: Add Apple Cider Vinegar

Pour your apple cider mixture to the bottom of your instant pot. Place the trivet inside. Then, put your ribs inside the instant pot.

Step 5: Pressure Cook

Close the lid on your instant pot and close the sealing valve. Then, hit manual or pressure cook and set the time for 20 minutes.

Step 6 Natural Release

Once your instant pot is done cooking, allow it to naturally release for 15 minutes. After the 15 minutes, manually released by opening the sealing valve and releasing the pressure.

Step 7: Add BBQ Sauce

Remove your ribs to a cookie sheet. Add your desired amount of barbecue sauce to the top of the ribs over the rub.

Step 8: Broil Baby Back Ribs in the Oven

To crisp up your ribs, broil them in the oven for about five minutes, or until your barbecue sauce is bubbly.

Step 9: Let Cool

Allow the ribs to cool for a couple more minutes, cut into sections, and enjoy! You can top it with more barbecue sauce if you like.

Serve and Enjoy!

How Do I Remove the Membrane?

Removing the membrane is important because it allows the pressure to really permeate the meat and tenderize it. It also allows the seasonings to penetrate the meat. Not to mention the membrane is chewy and not at all easy to eat. Follow the steps to remove your membrane:

1. Flip the ribs over so you see the bone side.
2. Look for a silvery or whitish dense skin.
3. At one end of the ribs, slide a dinner knife under the membrane and over a bone.
4. Then, lift and loosen it until it tears.
5. Next, grab the edge of it and tear it all off.

The membrane may come off in one whole piece, or you may have to pull it off in smaller pieces.

What BBQ Sauce Do I Use?

Since this recipe already has a brown sugar rub on it, I would recommend using a sweet BBQ sauce such as:

• Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey BBQ Sauce
• Sweet Baby Ray’s Hickory and Brown Sugar
• Famous Dave’s Sweet and Zesty
• Sweet Honey BBQ Sauce

Can I Crisp it Up on the Grill?

Absolutely! In fact, I prefer to cook them over the grill for a few minutes on each side as opposed to using the broiler. Not only does it keep your house cooler, but I think it adds a better flavor and crisp to the BBQ baby back ribs.

BBQ RIbs Side Dish Recommendations

Not sure what to make with these delicious Instant Pot BBQ baby back ribs? Here are a few of my favorite sides:

• Tasty Summer Broccoli Salad
• Cheesy Loaded Hasselback Potatoes
• The Best Instant Pot Potato Salad
• Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

Other Instant Pot Pork Recipe to Try

Looking for more? Try some of these other Infamous Instant Pot pork recipes!

• Cider Glazed Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin
• The Best Instant Pot Pulled Pork
• Instant Pot Buffalo Style Ribs
• Instant Pot Chinese Pork

About Angela Milnes

Angela Milnes is a Qualified Early Years Teacher who has specialised in teaching. She has a wealth of experience teaching young children and adults. Angela has also taught cooking classes and loves to share both family recipes and easy instant pot recipes here on The Instant Pot Table. Follow her on Pinterest!