Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Smithfield® Prime Fresh Pork. The opinions and text are all mine.
Instant Pot Kansas City Baby Back Ribs—the easiest to make fall off the bone ribs made with a homemade Kansas City style rub and simple barbecue sauce.
Instant Pot Kansas City Baby Back Ribs
If you love ribs you’re going to die over these pork baby back ribs that are made in your Instant Pot. The recipe is so easy but the results are amazing. I’m convinced that making ribs in the pressure cooker is the best way to prepare them. It’s hands off and takes a lot less time than in the oven or on the grill. They turn out completely tender and flavor infused.
Of course, you’ll want to start with Smithfield® Prime Fresh Pork which can be found at Dick’s Market. Not all pork is created equal so make sure to find Smithfield for ultimate quality. I headed to Dick’s Market and found it easily with the other meats.
Smithfield Prime Fresh Pork is a versatile meal solution that is high quality and full of flavor. It is available in a variety cuts from juicy tenderloins to naturally tender pork shoulders. In fact it’s 20% more tender than the other leading brand for natural pork. After tasting these ribs I totally believe that statement! And there are no growth promotants, or added hormones or steroids in their meat. If you’d like other amazing pork recipe ideas visit Smithfield’s website.
The fun thing about summer is that there’s always a reason at my house to cook up a good meal. Whether it’s the fourth of July, a summer birthday (we have 3 in my family) or just a weekend get together with friends, I can always find a reason to make a meal with Smithfield Prime Fresh Pork. When I made these ribs for my daughter’s birthday dinner the other night she was so excited. She loves ribs but I don’t make them all that often so she was happy to get these on her special day. I love sitting on our back patio, listening to music through our outdoor speakers, eating a good meal and enjoying a nice glass of lemonade. There is seriously nothing like summer!
These ribs start with a simple homemade rub. Let them sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes with the rub. You can even make them the night before and let them sit overnight. Just cover the pan with some foil.
The next step is to place a cup of water in the bottom of your Instant Pot. Place the trivet in the pot and coil the rubbed ribs around the sides of the pot. I decided that I would cook a simple homemade barbecue sauce at the same time as the ribs. So I placed the barbecue sauce ingredients inside a small Pyrex dish and then placed it in the middle of the ribs.
After the ribs cooked in the pressure cooker for 28 minutes, I placed them on a baking sheet and basted them with the barbecue sauce. I stuck them under the broiler for about 4 minutes and then they were ready to serve. They were so tender I had a hard time moving them to a serving platter without them all falling apart!
For a perfect summer meal serve these ribs with chunks of watermelon and potato salad and maybe even if you’re lucky some garden-fresh corn or tomatoes. Ahhhhh, summer!!
Print
Instant Pot Kansas City Baby Back Ribs
- Prep Time: 45 minutes (including marinating time)
- Cook Time: 28 minutes (plus pressure release time)
- Total Time: 1 hour 13 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
The easiest to make fall off the bone ribs made with a homemade Kansas City style rub and simple barbecue sauce.
Ingredients
For the ribs and rub:
- 2 ½ to 3 lbs Smithfield Prime Fresh Pork Back Ribs
- 2 Tbsp dark brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
- ¾ tsp black pepper
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
- ¾ tsp chili powder
- ¾ tsp garlic powder
- ¾ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp ground red pepper
For the barbecue sauce:
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp quick cooking tapioca
Instructions
- Remove the ribs from packaging and place on a large baking sheet. Blot the ribs with a paper towel until moisture is removed.
- Combine the brown sugar, paprika, pepper, salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder and red pepper in a bowl. Mix until combined. Rub the spice mixture onto both sides of the ribs evenly. Let the ribs sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 12 hours.
- Pour 1 cup of water in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Place the trivet in bottom of the pot. Coil the ribs around the edge of the inside of the pot.
- If you’d like to make your own barbecue sauce, combine ketchup, water, vinegar and tapioca in a small oven safe bowl (like a Pyrex or Corningware). Carefully place the bowl in the middle of the ribs, on top of the trivet.
- Lock the lid onto the top of the Instant Pot. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual button to 28 minutes.
- When timer goes off allow the pressure to release naturally for about 20 minutes or until the pin drops. Carefully switch the valve to venting. Remove the lid. Using gloves carefully remove the barbecue sauce and the ribs. Place the ribs on a baking sheet and baste them with the barbecue sauce. Place them under your oven’s broiler for about 4-5 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve.
Notes
This recipe is gluten free.
- Method: Instant Pot
Lanie says
June 14, 2019 at 2:14 pmWe don’t eat pork. Have you tried beef ribs? Would you do them the same time? I really like ribs. Karen, your recipes r super wonderful. I get excited when I get one of them. Ty
Karen says
June 15, 2019 at 7:15 amI’ve never tried it with beef ribs. I bet the timing would be similar. If you try it let me know how it goes!
JOHN VAN DOLAH says
May 13, 2019 at 2:36 pmYOU MIGHT TRY ADDING SOME LIQUID SMOKE TO THE RECIPE ( COLGIN LIQUID SMOKE OR WRIGHT’S LIQUID SMOKE ) ABOUT 1/2 TABLESPOON FOR THE 6 QT. OR 3/4 TBSP. FOR THE 8 QT.
★★★★★
Karen says
May 13, 2019 at 4:49 pmgood idea! Thanks!
Pam says
January 7, 2019 at 3:07 pmThese were the best ribs I have ever had! I used two racks, one full and the other one cut up so they both fit in my pot. I have an 8 quart cooker. I didn’t make the bbq sauce as I had some. I put chicken broth in the bottom instead of plain water and did the rub with some smoky paprika mix I found at Ross and added the brown sugar and another tblsp of regular Paprika, garlic powder and some pepper.
★★★★★
Lesley says
January 5, 2019 at 11:10 pmThis was my first instant pot recipe, and it was a huge success! Since everyone likes a different bbq sauce, I cooked them using the rub only. Everyone liked them so much that no one added any kind of bbq sauce! They were so tender they just fell off the bone, and the flavor was incredible! I will never cook ribs any other way!
★★★★★
JRAE says
July 1, 2018 at 3:43 pmCan I put more than one rack in my 8qt?
Karen says
July 2, 2018 at 11:05 amYou could try. If it fits and doesn’t go over max fill line then it should be fine!
Jerry says
May 20, 2018 at 6:22 pmJust made this and these are the best ribs I have ever made (oven, instant pot, grill)! I think your initial seasoning mix really puts these ribs over the top.
★★★★★
Karen says
May 21, 2018 at 11:56 amHi Jerry, I’m so glad you liked these ribs! My husband dies over them!!
Natalie Clyde says
March 6, 2018 at 6:29 pmHow long would you cook them frozen?
Karen says
March 7, 2018 at 11:22 amHi Natalie,
Are they cut up? I’m not sure how you’d coil them around the pot if they are frozen. You could probably cook them frozen. Add 5 minutes to cooking time.
Kat says
February 5, 2018 at 5:45 pmIs this recipe for the 6qt or 8qt?
Karen says
February 5, 2018 at 5:58 pmHi Kat, I made it in my 6 quart. However you could easily make it in an 8 quart as well. Just add an extra cup of water into the bottom of the instant pot.
Anthony says
January 5, 2018 at 4:25 pmFor the pressure setting do you do it on high or low pressure? Ours has two settings.
Thanks!
Karen says
January 6, 2018 at 7:38 pmhigh
becki says
January 2, 2018 at 2:48 pmcan you use beef ribs for this?
Karen says
January 2, 2018 at 5:26 pmI am sure you could. I haven’t tried it myself but I bet it would be tasty!
Chuck says
November 28, 2017 at 6:39 pmThese might be fantastic, but no self-respecting Kansas Citian would call these “Kansas City” baby back ribs. There’s no harm in calling these pressure cooker ribs!
Karen says
November 28, 2017 at 6:51 pmLol
janis whisenant says
September 3, 2017 at 2:37 pmI just printed this out to try. I used another recipe and it said to remove the membrane under the slab before putting in the IP. Is it necessary to do that; was yours already removed?
Karen says
September 9, 2017 at 8:29 pmI didn’t do that…
TJ says
July 27, 2017 at 9:26 pmAbsolutely THE BOMB !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So is this gal !!!!!!!!!!!!! she really knows her stuff. Thanks, Karen……..
★★★★★
Karen says
August 1, 2017 at 11:43 amThanks sooo much!