Making tender, juicy, delicious, fall-off-the-bone ribs couldn't be easier! The Instant Pot makes it a breeze. This recipe is super easy to customize to whatever you have on hand—read the notes below for ingredient substitutions.
½ - 1cupyour favorite BBQ sauce*no need to measure, just squeeze some on top of the ribs in step 6
Instructions
Peel the membrane off the back of the ribs.
In a small bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients (brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper) to make a rub (or use your favorite pork or chicken rub!). Rub the seasonings all over the ribs on both sides.
Pour the apple cider vinegar and water into the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Place the Instant Pot trivet inside. Bend the seasoned rack of ribs to place them on top of the trivet.
Close the lid on your instant pot and close the sealing valve. Set your instant pot on the manual cook setting at high-pressure for 20 minutes.
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.
Place your ribs to a large baking sheet, unrolling and flattening as needed. Squeeze the desired amount of barbecue sauce to the top of the ribs over the rub and use a brush to spread it.
Broil in the oven for about 2-3 minutes, taking care not to burn the BBQ sauce—keep an eye on the ribs.
Optional step to add more BBQ sauce: Carefully remove the ribs and brush on MORE BBQ sauce. Broil for another 2-3 minutes. Allow the ribs to cool for a couple more minutes, cut into sections, and enjoy! Brush with more BBQ sauce for serving, if you like.
Notes
→ You can use about 2 tablespoons of your favorite pork dry rub instead of the dry ingredients.→ Don't have apple cider vinegar? Skip it!! It helps make the rib meat tender, but it's not absolutely necessary.→ Don't have BBQ sauce on hand?? You can glaze the ribs with honey or maple syrup: make a mixture of ½ cup honey (or maple syrup) and ¼ cup apple cider vinegar. Brush this onto the ribs after the Instant Pot and before broiling.