You can make juicy, tender, lip-smacking spare ribs in about an hour in your Instant Pot, then finish them under the broiler for that sticky barbecue finish that tastes like they cooked all day. It’s almost magic.
When you don’t have time to cook ribs “low and slow,” pressure-cooking spare ribs in your Instant Pot can dramatically speed up the process. You can achieve slow-cooked, deliciously smoky barbecue flavor without leaving the kitchen.
You'll love adding these sides:
First, remove the white membrane from the underside of the ribs. This membrane will stay tough after cooking if you don’t remove it. Turn the ribs, curved side up, and slip the knife tip under one short edge of the membrane. Pry it up so you can get hold of it.
It’s slippery, so use a paper towel to get a good grip and pull it off. It may not come off in one piece, but remove and discard it. The ribs should look like this now.
The next step is to stir up a dry rub. Anything goes in a dry rub, but it should contain sugar, salt, and spices. A good rub should be one part of each element. Using a dry rub brings out the most amazing flavor in ribs, regardless of how you cook them.
I usually use dark brown sugar, kosher salt, and then whatever I have on hand. Here are some ideas for spices and proportions. similar to what I use, but do what I have watched chefs do- taste and adjust until your mouth is happy.
Mix well and rub generously over both sides of the ribs.
A dry rub is good on any cut of pork or chicken as long as it’s cooked low and slow. Put any leftover rub in a jar and store it in a cool, dry place for another meal.
Generously coat the ribs on both sides with the rub and press it into the meat. You do not need to cake it on; just use enough to cover the surface well.
Stand the ribs in the Instant Pot, arranging the rack so the ribs curve along the edges of the inner pot. Pour a 12-ounce can of Coke and a few drops of liquid smoke into the center and lock the lid in place. You could also use root beer or Dr. Pepper.
Soda pop, especially cola beverages, adds flavor and helps to tenderize any meat. It's a secret every Southern cook knows well!
Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high for 35 minutes. You will not use the "keep warm" setting. Let the pressure drop naturally when it is done cooking. Don't rush the process.
While the ribs are cooking, cover a rimmed baking sheet with foil and preheat the oven to 400 degrees. You can also use the broiler pan if your oven comes with one. This is how the ribs will look when they come out of the Instant Pot. They will be tender.
Carefully arrange the cooked ribs on your rimmed baking pan lined with foil, then add your favorite barbecue sauce and brush it evenly over the ribs before putting the pan in the oven. We absolutely love Sweet Baby Ray's barbecue sauce! In our mind, it's the best!
Bake 10-15 minutes, watching to ensure ribs don’t burn. Turn the ribs over and repeat on the other side. You can broil the ribs, too, but either way, keep a close watch on them so they don’t get too brown. The ribs are cooked; these steps finish them to tasty, shiny, crispy perfection.
Tender, juicy, succulent spare ribs you can make in about 1 hour using your Instant Pot, then finish in the oven.
You can use your broiler, but watch carefully so the sauce does not burn.
What’s the Difference Between Spare Ribs and Baby Back Ribs? Baby back ribs are shorter, leaner, and more tender. They cook faster and are usually more expensive. Spare ribs are larger, meatier, and have more fat and flavor.
What Are St. Louis-Style Ribs? St. Louis-style ribs are simply spare ribs trimmed into neat rectangular shapes, resulting in less waste and more even cooking. That’s the cut I used for this recipe.
Can You Use Different Types of Ribs in the Instant Pot? Yes. Baby back ribs, spare ribs, and St. Louis-style ribs all work in the Instant Pot, although cooking times may vary slightly.
Can I cook more than one rack of ribs in the Instant Pot? - Yes, you can fit two racks of ribs in an Instant Pot, and you do not need to add more soda or more liquid smoke; however, you will need twice as much barbecue sauce to coat both racks of ribs evenly.
If you are a devoted Instant Pot user, I'd love for you to try these recipes, too.
Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs - Tender, succulent, meaty boneless beef short ribs made fast and easy in your Instant Pot. Best gravy ever!!!
Instant Pot Hot German Potato Salad - A classic German potato dish with bacon and caramelized onions in a sweet-tart vinegar dressing.
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Love, GB (Betty Streff)
Real food. Real kitchen. Real easy.
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