Easy Instant Pot BBQ Pork Ribs (Tender, Juicy & Ready in 45 Minutes!)

Craving BBQ ribs but short on time? These Instant Pot BBQ pork ribs are smoky, juicy, and ready in under 45 minutes—no smoker or grill required. Whether it’s Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, or just a Tuesday night, this easy BBQ rib recipe delivers all the flavor without the hassle.

PS: You can use this recipe for beef ribs or BBQ chicken legs, too!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Quick and easy—cooks in 25 minutes
• Perfect for Instant Pot beginners
• Adaptable: use pork, beef, or chicken
• No grill? No problem!

Ingredients

• 4 lb. pork loin back ribs (or beef ribs, country ribs, or chicken legs)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose BBQ rub
• 1 cup beer, broth, or water
• BBQ sauce, as needed

Instructions

1. Remove the membrane from the ribs. Pat dry.
2. Season generously with your favorite BBQ rub, making sure to cover all sides and get into every nook and cranny.
3. Place a trivet in the Instant Pot and pour in the beer (or liquid of choice).
4. Roll the ribs into a circle and place them standing upright on the trivet, bones vertical.
5. Seal the lid and pressure valve. Set to HIGH PRESSURE for 25 minutes.
6. Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release the rest.
7. Preheat oven to 450°F. Transfer ribs to a lined baking sheet.
8. Brush BBQ sauce over all sides. Bake for 10–15 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and caramelized.
9. Let rest for 5 minutes. Slice and serve.

Tips for Best Results

• Use a flavorful beer like a lager or ale for added depth.
• Finish under the broiler for crispier bark.
• Double the recipe—leftovers are amazing!

Variations

• Beef Ribs: Increase cook time to 30 minutes.
• Chicken Legs: Pressure cook for 12 minutes only.
• No Instant Pot? Try baking low and slow at 300°F for 2.5–3 hours.

Instant Pot Ribs vs. Traditional Ribs: Which is Better?

Time comparison:

• Traditional oven/grill: 3-6 hours
• Instant Pot: 45 minutes total (25 minutes pressure cooking + 15 minutes finishing)

Flavor: Traditional low-and-slow ribs have that authentic smoky flavor from hours on the grill. But here's the secret: Instant Pot ribs get incredibly close. The pressure cooking makes them fall-off-the-bone tender, and finishing them in the oven with BBQ sauce gives you that caramelized, sticky exterior everyone loves.

Texture: Both methods produce tender ribs, but Instant Pot ribs have an edge - they're consistently tender every single time. No worrying about drying them out or undercooking.

Convenience: This is where Instant Pot wins hands down. You can make ribs on a Tuesday night. You don't need to plan hours ahead or babysit a grill. No smoker required. No charcoal. No standing in the heat. Just set it and forget it.

When to use each method:

• Use Instant Pot: Weeknight dinners, last-minute cravings, bad weather, apartment living, feeding a crowd quickly
• Use traditional method: Weekend BBQs when you have time, outdoor entertaining, when you want that authentic smoky flavor

The verdict: For busy weeknights and convenience, Instant Pot ribs can't be beaten. For weekend entertaining when you have time, traditional methods shine. But honestly? These Instant Pot ribs are so good that even BBQ purists will be impressed.

My First Instant Pot Recipe: Why I Started with Ribs

When I purchased my Instant Pot nearly a year ago (or maybe it was 2 years? Time flies when you're not slaving over a hot stove all day), these ribs were the first thing my boyfriend and I made. We didn't mess around with corn on the cob or hard-boiled eggs. We went straight for the jugular.

Why ribs first? Because ribs are the ultimate test of any cooking method. If you can make good ribs quickly, you can make anything. And I wanted to know right away if this Instant Pot was worth the counter space.

The result? We were blown away. The ribs were tender, juicy, and had that fall-off-the-bone quality that usually takes hours to achieve. We stood in the kitchen eating them straight off the pan, sauce dripping down our hands, wondering why we hadn't bought an Instant Pot sooner.

What I learned: The Instant Pot isn't just a time-saver - it's a game-changer for busy people who still want real, home-cooked meals. Ribs became our gateway recipe. After that success, we started pressure-cooking everything: pot roast, whole chickens, beans, soups, even cheesecakes.

But ribs? Ribs are still our go-to when we want something special without the hassle. They're impressive enough for company, but easy enough for a random Tuesday when you're tired and hungry and just want something delicious.

The Instant Pot changed how I cook: Before the Instant Pot, ribs were a weekend project. Now they're weeknight-friendly. That's the magic of pressure cooking - it compresses hours of cooking into minutes without sacrificing flavor or texture.

If you're new to your Instant Pot, start here. Make these ribs. You'll understand why this appliance earned its spot on your counter.

Why This BBQ Rib Recipe Works for Everyone

For Instant Pot beginners: This is an excellent first recipe. It's straightforward, hard to mess up, and delivers impressive results that will make you feel like a pressure cooking pro.

For busy families: Ribs in 45 minutes means you can serve a special dinner on a weeknight without spending hours in the kitchen. Kids love ribs, and you'll love how quickly they're ready.

For apartment dwellers: No grill? No outdoor space? No problem. You can make restaurant-quality ribs entirely indoors.

For meal preppers: These ribs reheat beautifully and taste even better the next day. Make a double batch on Sunday and have BBQ ribs all week.

For BBQ lovers: Even if you're a traditionalist who swears by the grill, keep this recipe in your back pocket for when you want ribs but don't want to wait hours.

FAQs

Can I use boneless ribs? Yes, though bone-in ribs tend to be juicier and more flavorful.

Can I freeze cooked ribs? Absolutely. Cool, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months.

What kind of BBQ sauce is best? Use your favorite—sweet, smoky, or spicy all work!

More BBQ Recipes You'll Love

• Creole BBQ Chicken & Bleu Cheese Dressing
• Cheerwine BBQ Pulled Pork
• Bourbon Beef Chili

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Easy BBQ Pork Ribs

Yield: 4lbs, serves 2-3

Author: Nikki Miller-Ka of Nik Snacks

When you don’t have time to set up the smoker or fire up the grill, these EASY BBQ PORK RIBS come to the rescue. Not in the mood for pork ribs? No problem. The following recipe can be used for beef ribs and BBQ chicken legs.

Ingredients

• 4 lb. pork loin back ribs, membrane removed (or beef ribs, country ribs, chicken legs)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose barbecue rub
• 1 cup beer, broth or water
• Barbecue sauce, as needed

Instructions

1. Season ribs with all-purpose barbecue rub. Pat rub onto all sides and lift flaps to get seasoning underneath and between each nook and cranny.
2. Place a trivet in the Instant Pot. Pour beer into the bottom of the pot. Add seasoned ribs by rolling them lengthwise and placing them on top of the trivet. The rack of ribs should stand up, with the bones vertical to the sides of the pot.
3. Close the lid with the pressure vent closed. Set the pressure cooker to HIGH for 25 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, and then manually release the rest of the pressure.
4. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Open the Instant Pot lid, remove the ribs and place them on a parchment-paper or foil-lined baking sheet.
5. Brush or pour BBQ sauce on all sides and place in the preheated oven. Cook for 15 minutes or until tender.
6. To serve, remove ribs from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice into portions. Eat.

Notes:

The secret to Easy BBQ Pork Ribs? The Instant Pot! These pork ribs still come out smoky, juicy, and saucy, but they are easy and tasty in half the time.

When I purchased my Instant Pot nearly a year ago (or maybe it was 2 years? Time flies when you're not slaving over a hot stove all day) these ribs were the first thing my boyfriend and I made. We didn't mess around with corn on the cob or hard-boiled eggs. We went straight for the jugular.

Calories

1016.54

Fat (grams)

44.86

Sat. Fat (grams)

14.32

Carbs (grams)

13.52

Fiber (grams)

0.45

Net carbs

13.07

Sugar (grams)

8.50

Protein (grams)

127.76

Sodium (milligrams)

601.75

Cholesterol (grams)

384.75

Please consult a healthcare professional or dietician about nutritional needs for your diet. I am a communications professional, not a physician.

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