Instant Pot Ribs {with Homemade Barbecue Sauce}

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Instant Pot Ribs…have fork-tender barbecue pork ribs with homemade sauce on the table in under 1 hour with your pressure cooker. Makes a large amount which means it is great for company or for leftovers.

instant-pot-ribs

Instant Pot Ribs

I’m obsessed with a new kitchen appliance and it is the Instant Pot. Do you have one yet? If not, you’re missing out on getting dinner for your family on the table quickly and with little effort.

I’ve been testing several different types of recipes in the Instant Pot, but the first recipe I knew I needed to perfect was Instant Pot Ribs. Barbecue pork ribs to be exact. Because my family is all about the pork! It’s the one meat they can’t get enough of. Every time I make pork dish such as ribs, pork chops or pork carnitas, they give me the happy grins at dinner.

instant-pot-ribs

You’ll love the simple sauce on these Instant Pot ribs. There are 10 ingredients in the sauce, but don’t let that discourage you. They are quick and easy measure and dump ingredients. Ketchup and chili sauce add thickness to the barbecue sauce. Vinegar and lemon juice add tanginess, while brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness! Mix up the sauce first, then get your Instant Pot ready.

instant-pot-ribs

How to Set Your Instant Pot for Pork Ribs

To get your pork ribs going, cut up an onion and place it on the bottom of the inner pot. Add 4 pounds of boneless pork ribs, then sprinkle the top with salt and pepper.

Pour the sauce that you mixed up over the pork ribs, place the cover on the Instant Pot and make sure it is closed tightly with the vent closed also.

Set the Instant Pot on the manual setting, high pressure, for 35 minutes. Once the 35 minutes is up, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 5 minutes. This means you just let the Instant Pot sit without touching it for 5 minutes.

Once the 5 minutes are up, quick release the pressure (meaning you turn the vent from sealing to venting).  Once the pressure is completely released, you can open the lid. Your pork should be fork-tender and ready to serve!

instant-pot-ribs

These tender pork ribs are mostly hands off. Use that time to whip up a veggie side dish such as potato salad, corn on the cob, homemade rolls or fruit salad.

Can’t you just taste the comfort?

instant-pot-ribs

instant-pot-ribs

 

instant-pot-ribs
instant-pot-ribs

Instant Pot Ribs

5 from 5 votes
Instant Pot Ribs...have fork-tender barbecue pork ribs with homemade sauce on the table in under 1 hour with your pressure cooker. Makes a large amount which means it is great for company or for leftovers.
Servings 12 servings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

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Ingredients
 

Barbecue Sauce

  • 1/2 cup cider vinegar
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup chili sauce
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons chopped onion
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • dash cayenne pepper

Other Ingredients

  • 1 onion sliced
  • 4 pounds boneless pork spare ribs
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients. Mix well. Set aside.
  • Place the sliced onion in the bottom of the inner pot.
  • Place the pork ribs on top of the onion slices.
  • Sprinkle salt and pepper over the pork ribs.
  • Pour the sauce overtop the pork ribs.
  • Place the lid on the Instant Pot and turn it to seal the pot. Make sure the vent is closed.
  • Set the Instant Pot to manual setting, on high pressure. Set the time to 35 minutes and allow it to do its work!
  • When the timer goes off, allow the Instant Pot to sit and naturally release pressure for 5 minutes. This will allow the pork to steam just a little bit longer.
  • After 5 minutes, flip the vent to release so the pressure quick releases.
  • Once the pot stops whistling and steaming, open the Instant Pot. The pork is ready to serve!

Video

Notes

*If the pork is not as tender as you'd like it, you can manually set the Instant Pot for an additional 5 minutes on high pressure to give it extra time. We've found that this time works great for the size pork ribs that we normally buy.

Nutrition

Calories: 337kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 708mg | Potassium: 607mg | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 105IU | Vitamin C: 3.2mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1.8mg
Course Main, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Calories 337

About Julie Clark

I'm Julie Clark, CEO and recipe developer of Tastes of Lizzy T. With my B.A. in Education and over 30 years of cooking and baking, I want to teach YOU the best of our family recipes.

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Sharon
4 years ago

5 stars
I made this ribs today exactly following the recipe. Wonderful!!
Everyone loved them. So tender. Delicious. Thank you for this recipe. DeDef

Steph
4 years ago

I have my own bbq sauce, but I don’t have any onions, can I use onion powder?

M
6 years ago

5 stars
What chili sauce did u use?

Jeannie Slone
6 years ago

5 stars
Made these tonight….Loved the sauce, super easy, I did not have any chili sauce so i added some siracha to the sauce. The ribs were fall apart tender. We will make these again.

Nicole
7 years ago

Oh my gosh! I am so following you now! Great photos!

Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie
7 years ago

I have never tried an instapot but these ribs are calling my name!

Jennifer Osterholt
7 years ago

I was given an instant pot that I need to learn how to use. This looks like a great recipe to try out!