No need to wait for the weekend to enjoy ribs: this recipe for Instant Pot Spare Ribs makes them a weeknight meal!
Slow-cooked smoky ribs, corn bread, slaw, and a glass of sweet tea. Perfection on the weekend when you have all day to tend to those slow-cooking ribs—when you can check, baste, and double-check them all you want. But what if I told you this kind of a meal is possible on a weeknight? I make these ribs on busy Wednesdays. Or when you are having friends over but have a busy day ahead of your gathering? What makes this possible? Your Instant Pot. The Instant Pot, with its pressure cooking, is a game-changer, providing you with tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs in significantly less time than traditional cooking methods.
With your Instant Pot doing most of the cooking, your oven will be free for that delicious corn bread. Or baked beans. Or whatever must-have side! You just need the oven for a few minutes at the end to broil the cooked ribs and give them that browned texture and crust. You can even wait until just before serving to do the final broil. That way, the rest of your meal is ready to go and the ribs are piping hot.
The flavor and texture of Instant Pot Ribs will convince you that this quick-cooking method is the way to go. Zesty flavor and tender texture are key for any good barbecue meat, and these do not disappoint. Have plenty of napkins ready or go Kentucky-style and just lick your fingers!
Liquid Smoke: What is it?
Liquid Smoke can be found in the seasoning aisle of your grocery store. It brings the smoky flavor of wood-fire or charcoal cooking to the dishes you cook in your kitchen. One of the most common brands is Wright’s Liquid Smoke. Fun fact: chemist Ernest Wright invented it way back in 1895! He noticed that when wood burned, a natural condensation formed from the smoke. That’s all liquid smoke is: the smoke-flavored condensation. Most brands sell it in a concentrate, so it only takes a little bit to add a wonderfully smoky flavor to your ribs or other dishes. Sometimes you will see caramel flavor or other ingredients added; as always, stick to brands with a short ingredient list.
How do I prep and store these ribs?
Since the cooking process is not very long, there are two recommended make-ahead options. Option 1: Simply premix the spices and store in an airtight container so everything you need is prepped. Option 2: Prepare the ribs as directed through Step 5 and let them cool. You can store the cooked ribs in plastic wrap for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. Let them come to room temperature about 30 minutes before serving. Then proceed with Step 6. Leftovers, if there are any, store well in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to a month.
Serving Suggestions
Typical BBQ sides are great with Instant Pot Ribs. Corn bread, slaw, mashed potatoes, or mac and cheese are always delicious. Other options to try include our Summer Pasta Salad or Creamy Pasta Salad. Whether your sides are hot or chilled, you want creamy or cheesy flavors to complement the tangy ribs.
Instant Pot Spare Ribs
Ingredients
- 1 rack baby back ribs or spare ribs about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds
- 1 cup water
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke optional
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs, if present, by loosening it with a dull knife and pulling it off with a paper towel.
- Mix brown sugar, paprika, black pepper, salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper in a bowl to create the rub.
- Generously apply the rub to all sides of the ribs.
- Place the trivet in the Instant Pot, add water, apple cider vinegar, and liquid smoke, then arrange the ribs standing on their side, wrapped around the pot’s interior.
- Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure: 23 minutes for baby back ribs or 35 minutes for spare ribs. Allow for natural pressure release.
- Broil the cooked ribs with barbecue sauce applied on top until the sauce caramelizes, about 2 minutes.
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