Pork Baby Back Ribs with Barbecue Sauce (Instant Pot)

instantpot-ribs Brushed with your favourite sweet and smoky barbecue sauce, these tender and juicy Barbecue Ribs in the Instant Pot are finger-licking delicious. Great beginner recipe that's perfect for weeknight dinners or your next barbecue party.

1 rack pork baby back ribs
¼ cup barbecue sauce
kosher salt
black pepper, freshly ground
a few drops liquid smoke (optional)

Prepare and Season Baby Back Ribs:
Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs with a paper towel. Season the ribs with a generous amount of kosher salt and black pepper, freshly ground.

Pressure Cook Baby Back Ribs:
Add 2-3 drops of liquid smoke in Instant Pot (optional). Add in 1 cup (250 mL) of cold water (or apple cider vinegar) and a trivet. Place the baby back ribs on top of the trivet.

With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position. Pressure cook at High Pressure for 16 minutes to 25 minutes, then Full Natural Release.

Cooking Time:
Adjust the cooking timing according to the thickness of your ribs and preferences: 16 minutes (tender with a bit of chew) to 25 minutes (fall-off-the-bone tender). Open the lid carefully.

Apply Sauce and Broil in Oven/Air Fryer:
Carefully set the ribs on an oven tray or chopping board, then generously brush your barbecue sauce all over the ribs on all sides.

Note: You can use an oven, toaster oven, Instant Pot Duo Crisp or Air Fryer Lid for this finishing caramelization step.

Pro Tip: If you have a large oven, you can finish the ribs in one batch. If you're using the Duo Crisp lid or Air Fryer lid, cut the ribs into halves, then finish them in 2 batches.

Pro Tip: It's best to broil the ribs before cutting it into serving size to retain more moisture.

Option 1 - Oven/Toaster Oven:
Place the barbecue Ribs on an oven tray under the "Broil" function (or the highest temperature setting) for a few minutes until the barbecue sauce is caramelized.

Option 2 - Air Fryer Lid:
Place air fryer basket with the tray on the middle rack in Instant Pot. Layer ribs on the air fryer tray in Instant Pot. Place the Air Fryer Lid on Instant Pot. Press "Airfry" button, set Temperature to 400°F and Cooking Time to 15 minutes (takes roughly 9-11 minutes + preheat time. You can open the lid to check the progress). Air fry the second batch of barbecue ribs in Instant Pot.

Serve:
Chop up the Instant Pot barbecue Ribs to finger-licking serving sizes. Serve these tasty barbecue Ribs immediately.

Makes 2-4 servings.