Instant Pot Pork Ribs: A Quick & Flavorful Recipe

These Instant Pot Country Style Ribs are a quick, easy, and incredibly delicious dinner option! Get them on the table in under 30 minutes for a weeknight meal that the whole family will love.

Ever since we started cooking ribs in the Instant Pot, we’ve been hooked! It’s truly the best method for cooking ribs when you’re short on time or the weather isn’t cooperating for grilling. No need to fire up the grill or spend hours tending to a smoker.

Inspired by our popular Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs, this Instant Pot Country Style Ribs recipe is destined to become a new family favorite. The combination of flavorful seasonings, tender meat, and your favorite barbecue sauce creates a mouthwatering meal that’s surprisingly simple to prepare.

Why This Instant Pot Country Style Ribs Recipe Works So Well

These country style ribs cooked in the Instant Pot offer a trifecta of benefits, making them perfect for busy weeknights:

• Effortless: This boneless ribs recipe is incredibly easy to follow, even for beginners. If you’re new to electric pressure cooking or using an Instant Pot for the first time, this is an excellent recipe to start with. The straightforward instructions and readily available ingredients make it virtually foolproof.
• Speedy: From start to finish, this dinner is ready in under 30 minutes, including the time it takes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure. That’s significantly faster than grilling, baking, or smoking ribs, freeing up your valuable time.
• Delicious: The Instant Pot creates incredibly tender and flavorful meat. The combination of warm spices, seasonings, and your favorite barbecue sauce infuses the ribs with a rich, smoky taste that’s simply irresistible. Each bite is a burst of savory goodness.

Key Ingredients for Instant Pot Country Style Ribs

• Country Style Ribs: The star of the show! Look for boneless country style ribs, which may also be labeled as country ribs or Western-style ribs. They’re a more affordable cut of meat compared to traditional ribs. These aren’t actually ribs at all but come from the pork shoulder. They resemble long, thick strips of pork meat. Choose ribs with good marbling, as this fat will render during cooking, adding extra flavor and moisture. While you can trim off some of the excess fat, be careful not to remove too much, as it contributes to the overall taste and tenderness.
• Dry Rub: A blend of brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper creates a simple yet incredibly flavorful dry rub. Feel free to customize this blend to your liking. A pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder can add a delightful kick.
• Cooking Liquid: A combination of apple cider vinegar, water, and liquid smoke is essential for cooking the ribs in the Instant Pot under high pressure. The apple cider vinegar helps to tenderize the meat and adds a subtle tang, while the liquid smoke provides a hint of smoky flavor. You can substitute Worcestershire sauce for the liquid smoke if desired.
• Barbecue Sauce: The final touch that brings everything together. Whether you prefer a homemade BBQ sauce or a store-bought favorite, choose one that complements the flavors of the dry rub and adds a delicious glaze to the ribs.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Instant Pot Country Style Ribs

Follow these simple steps to create tender and flavorful Instant Pot Country Style Ribs. For detailed measurements and complete instructions, please refer to the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

1. Prepare the Seasoning: In a small bowl, thoroughly combine all the dry rub ingredients. Make sure there are no clumps of brown sugar.
2. Season the Ribs: Generously rub the boneless pork ribs with the prepared seasoning blend, ensuring all sides are coated evenly. Use your hands to press the seasoning into the meat for maximum flavor.
3. Add Liquids to the Instant Pot: Pour the apple cider vinegar, water, and liquid smoke (or Worcestershire sauce) into the inner pot of the Instant Pot. This liquid creates the steam necessary for pressure cooking and adds flavor to the ribs.
4. Add Seasoned Ribs: Place the seasoned ribs into the Instant Pot, arranging them in a single layer if possible. If the ribs are too large to fit in one layer, you can stack them slightly.
5. Pressure Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the pressure release valve is set to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Pressure Cook” (or “Manual”) setting on high pressure and set the cooking time to 18 minutes. The Instant Pot will take some time to come to pressure before the timer begins counting down.
6. Natural Pressure Release and Quick Release: Once the pressure cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 5 minutes. This allows the meat to rest and prevents it from drying out. After 5 minutes, carefully perform a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
7. Broil with BBQ Sauce: Carefully transfer the cooked ribs to a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Brush the ribs generously with barbecue sauce on all sides. Place the baking sheet on the top rack of your oven and broil for approximately 5 minutes, or until the barbecue sauce is caramelized and slightly charred.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Remove the ribs from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired, and serve with your favorite side dishes.

Recipe FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Serving Suggestions: Perfect Pairings

These Instant Pot Country Style Ribs are incredibly versatile and pair well with a variety of side dishes. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes: Creamy and flavorful, these mashed potatoes are the perfect complement to the savory ribs.
• Instant Pot Garlic Rice: A simple yet satisfying side dish that absorbs the delicious flavors from the ribs.
• Summer Slaw: A refreshing and tangy slaw that balances the richness of the ribs.
• Potato Salad with Bacon: A classic side dish with a smoky twist that pairs perfectly with barbecue.
• Air Fryer Baked Potato: A simple and customizable side dish that’s always a crowd-pleaser.

Wine Pairing Suggestions

These ribs feature a rich seasoning and flavorful BBQ sauce, making them a great match for bold red wines. Consider pairing them with a Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or Malbec.

Essential Kitchen Tools and Equipment

Make sure you have the right tools for the job! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Electric Pressure Cooker: A 6-quart or larger pressure cooker is essential. We love the 8-quart Instant Pot Duo or the 8-quart Ninja Foodi XL Deluxe.
• Tongs: Kitchen tongs make it easy to handle the tender country style ribs.
• Basting Brush: A basting brush is perfect for applying the barbecue sauce.
• Baking Sheet: Use a baking sheet covered with aluminum foil to broil the ribs.
• Meat Thermometer: A meat thermometer can help ensure the meat is fully cooked.

Explore More Instant Pot Recipes

Looking for more delicious and easy Instant Pot recipes? Check out some of our favorites below, or browse our entire collection of Instant Pot recipes!

• Instant Pot Soup Recipes
• Instant Pot Seafood Stock Recipe
• Easy Chicken Stock in the Instant Pot
• Instant Pot Shrimp Recipes

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