Find out how to cook pork ribs in an Instant Pot, including tips on cooking time and how to cook them from frozen.


Hands down my favorite meal is ribs, corn on the cob, and mashed potatoes. I just love that combo! 

And now it's even easier to have ribs on a regular basis thanks to the Instant Pot

It's seriously so easy to make pork ribs in the Instant Pot.

But, for me, ribs have to be dripping with barbeque sauce. Like absolutely slathered. 

I always add a generous amount of barbeque sauce even after they've been grilled with some sauce on them. 

Basically, I want my fingers to be covered and sticky and ridiculously messy by the time I'm done eating the ribs. 

So, the photos shown here are obviously before I do that because, let's be honest, it wouldn't look too appetizing to see that much barbeque sauce on the ribs. I mean you wouldn't even be able to see the ribs.

But anyway, enough about my preferences...

Let's dig in and learn how to cook pork ribs in the Instant Pot.

How long to cook pork ribs in Instant Pot

Instant Pot Ribs Cooking Time (and Yes You Can Cook Them From Frozen!)

First up, we need to talk about cooking times because I know that's the real reason you're here.

Making baby back, baby back, baby back riiiiiibs? Then they need only 20 minutes.

Frozen? Cook 'em for 25.

How about spare ribs? Add 5-10 minutes to your cooking time and use a natural release for as long as possible.

It's that simple.

How to cook ribs in Instant Pot even from frozen

Instant Pot Ribs: Finish Them on the Grill! Or Broil Them. That Works Too.

After cooking the ribs in the Instant Pot, you'll want to finish them off with your favorite barbeque sauce, either on the grill or by broiling them in the oven. Your choice.

I'm more of a plop them on the barbeque girl myself, but we also live where it's some days just too darn cold to barbeque (hello 👋 -40 C temperatures we've been having!). On those days, I broil them.

Then serve them up with even more barbeque sauce (if you like that sort of thing like I do).

Easy Instant Pot ribs

You'll Love these Instant Pot Pork Ribs!

So here's why you'll want to hurry up and try Instant Pot pork ribs:

  • They turn out so tender and juicy, falling right off the bone. 🤤

  • You can use your favorite dry rubs and barbeque sauces to tweak it to your own tastes and preferences.

  • No more boiling the old fashioned way because that's lame.

  • Can cook the ribs right from frozen - perfect for those of us who forget to take out the meat ahead of time (ahem, that would be me...)

  • Less stink from boiled meat, which is a good thing because the smell of boiling meat is 🤢. Instead, the smell is contained to the Instant Pot until you unseal it and open it up.

Easy Instant Pot ribs recipe - find out how to cook pork ribs in an Instant Pot

How to Cook Ribs in an Instant Pot

Ready to give cooking pork ribs in an Instant Pot a try? Good decision. Let's do this before the kids raid the pantry!

Instant Pot pasta

How to cook pork ribs in the Instant Pot.

INGREDIENTS
  • 1-2 racks of pork ribs

  • Dry rub (optional)

  • 1 cup beef broth

  • Barbeque sauce

INSTRUCTIONS
  1. If you are using a dry rub, then rub seasonings over the ribs (optional).

  2. Place the trivet into the Instant Pot and add the beef broth.

  3. You can either cut the rack of ribs into sections of 3-4 ribs or leave it as a whole rack. Then add the ribs to the Instant Pot, keeping them upright. If you're using a full rack, then you'll want to curl the ribs along the inside of the Instant Pot. If you using cut portions, then line them up so they are standing upright. Don't stack them, if possible.

  4. Cook on manual high pressure for 20 minutes. Add 5 minutes if frozen. Add 5-10 minutes if using spare ribs.

  5. Natural release for at least 5 minutes, then do a quick release. Do the full natural release for spare ribs.

  6. Remove the ribs using tongs and slather them with barbeque sauce.

  7. Broil in the oven or grill on the barbeque until the barbeque sauce is carmelized and sticky.

Easy Instant Pot ribs recipe - find out how to cook pork ribs in an Instant Pot