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Instant Pot Pork Ribs

Flavorful and tender pork ribs done in a fraction of the usual time with the use of an Instant Pot
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Natural Release Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course anytime, Appetizer, Main Course, main dish
Servings 3

Equipment

  • 1 Instant Pot

Ingredients
  

  • 1-2 Rack Pork Ribs *1 rack per 2 people is a generous serve
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp light brown sugar
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 Tbsp liquid smoke
  • 1 cup BBQ Sauce *optional your favorite

Pork Carnitas Ribs

  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ med orange (juiced)
  • 2 med jalapeno peppers, halved
  • ½ med onion
  • 1 water, to make 1 cup

Instructions
 

  • Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs if you like. I find that with an instant pot, the ribs tend to fall off if you remove it but do it if you like.
  • Combine all of the seasonings in a small bowl, then rub the mixture over the ribs (front and back)
  • Place the trivet in the bottom of the Instant pot
  • Add the water and the liquid smoke (or water and Orange juice for Carnitas)
  • Place the ribs into the IP and circle them around the inside of the pot
  • Add any extra flavor enhancers (onions, jalapenos etc.) at this point (Optional)
  • Secure the lid in place and make sure the vent is set to SEAL
  • Select Pressure Cook and set for 25 minutes
  • Once the 25 minutes has passed let the ribs natural release for a further 10 minutes, then release the rest of the pressure (being careful still)
  • Remove the ribs carefully and place on a sheet tray lined with foil. Lather them with your favorite BBQ sauce and place under the broiler of your oven for 3-5 minutes to carmelize the bbq a bit (optional of course). OR:

For Pork Carnitas:

  • remove the ribs from the Instant pot and carefully remove the rib bones, and shred the meat with 2 forks. Add extra seasoning if you like.
  • Add the meat to an oven safe pan or cast iron pan and put under the broiler for 3 minutes to crisp it up a bit (Carnitas).
  • Add to your tacos with all of your favorite toppings.

Notes

I love to do ribs in the instant pot.  Depending on how you intend on eating them or what flavors you enjoy, you can add things such as peppers, onions, jalapenos etc to the pot for a flavor boost.
I sometimes use pork ribs for pork carnitas tacos.  The meat falls off the bone and the flavor is amazing.  Skip the bbq sauce and add jalapenos etc to the pot.  When then are done, I shred the meat off the bone,  season with more mexican spices and broil or crisp stove top in a cast iron skillet for a few minutes to crisp it up so its more traditional Mexican.
Keyword baby back ribs, Barbeque pork ribs, instant pot, Pork, side ribs