• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • meet the team
  • blogger resources
  • Contact Me
My Account
Member Dashboard
40 Aprons Premium (Ad Free!)

40 Aprons

Delicious, Healthy-ish Meals for the Whole Family

  • All Recipes
  • Course
    • Appetizers
    • Cooking Basics
    • Breakfast
    • Condiments
    • Dessert
    • Main Course
    • Meal Prep
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Method
    • Air Fryer
    • Baking
    • Crockpot
    • Grilling
    • Instant Pot
    • Sous Vide
  • Dietary Needs
    • Dairy Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Keto
    • Low Carb
    • Paleo
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
    • Whole30
  • Cuisine
    • American
    • Asian
    • Indian
    • Italian
    • Mediterranean
    • Mexican & Latin
    • Southern
Home Blog Course Main Course

Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

Cheryl Malik
Cheryl Malik Posted: 01/24/20 Updated: 02/09/22
5
/5
6 Comments
Jump to Recipe
DF Dairy Free GF Gluten Free P Paleo 30 Whole30

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs (Whole30) Pinterest graphic
Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs (Whole30) Pinterest graphic
Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs (Whole30) Pinterest graphic
Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs (Whole30) Pinterest graphic

These baby back ribs are fall-apart tender and are made entirely in the Instant Pot! They’re Whole30 and paleo, but it’s super easy to use store-bought BBQ sauce, too. Cost-effective, super flavorful, and hands-off. BBQ ribs perfect from Memphis with love!

Instant pot baby back ribs on a wooden chopping board

Why These Ribs Are So Good

  • These ribs are so easy to make and made entirely in the Instant Pot.
  • These ribs are so succulent and they are fall off the bone tender.
  • They are Whole30 compliant and paleo, and the sauce is healthier as it is homemade.
  • You can find this recipe and lots more in my Paleo Instant Pot Cookbook.

How To Make Them

  1. Turn ribs over so meaty side is face-down. Using a butter knife and your fingers, separate the transparent membrane from the back of the bones and meat and peel off.
  2. In a small bowl, combine all BBQ rub ingredients and sprinkle evenly all over ribs, front and back.
  3. If you use storebought BBQ sauce, pour it into the cooking pot of the Instant Pot before placing the ribs on top

If Making BBQ Sauce Homemade:

  1. Turn Instant Pot on Sauté mode. When hot, add avocado or coconut oil and sauté onion for 3-4 minutes or until softened and translucent. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, stirring constantly about 30 seconds. Add remaining BBQ sauce ingredients and stir until smooth.
  2. Place the rib halves in the Instant Pot, fitting them in a C-shape curve inside the cooking pot. Secure lid and set valve to the Sealing position. Cook on Manual High Pressure for 40 minutes. Quick-release.
  3. Remove ribs carefully – they will be fall-apart tender. Transfer to a baking sheet and preheat your broiler. Broil, watching carefully, until browned on top.
  4. If you made your sauce homemade: Blend the sauce, left in the Instant Pot, using an immersion blender or regular blender.
  5. Baste ribs with sauce and serve with plenty for dunking. Sprinkle with extra BBQ rub if desired.
Close up of baby back ribs on a chopping board

The Easy Way To Make BBQ Ribs

When it comes to BBQ, I know what I’m talking about, I’m a Memphis girl after all! Making baby back ribs in an electric pressure cooker is so easy and it eliminates the need to constantly baste and tend to the cooking ribs.

Serving Suggestions

These ribs are perfect to serve up with all of your favorite BBQ side dishes, fries, coleslaw, corn, and salads are all perfect choices. Try them with these sides:

  • Healthy Coleslaw Recipe
  • Mexican Street Corn Salad Esquites
  • Herb Roasted Potato Salad
  • Carrot Raisin Salad

Chef’s Tips

  • You may have to squeeze the ribs in the Instant Pot so they fit – that is fine.
  • If you’re on Whole30, make absolutely sure you do not use honey when making the BBQ sauce; use coconut aminos instead. You can also use 2 cups of my Whole BBQ sauce if you like.

More Delicious Instant Pot Recipes

  • Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
  • Instant Pot Dal
  • Beef with Peppers in the Instant Pot
  • Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
  • Instant Pot Country Style Ribs

Hey – you’ve made it this far, and now we’re best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook, too!

Hey – you’ve made it this far, so now we’re basically best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook, too!

Close up of baby back ribs on a chopping board
5 from 3 votes

Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

Prep:10 minutes
Cook:50 minutes
Time to Come to Pressure:10 minutes
Total:1 hour 10 minutes
BBQ baby back ribs that are fall-off-the-bone tender thanks to the Instant Pot. Made entirely from scratch in the Instant Pot (or with store-bought BBQ sauce and rub to make it easier), this recipe is healthier, Whole30 or paleo, or conventional. Versatile, flavorful, delicious, from a Memphian.
Print Save Saved! Click Here to Remove Ads
4 people

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds pork baby back ribs cut in half
  • 1/4 cup BBQ rub or use recipe below for Whole30 or homemade; If you use storebought BBQ sauce, pour it into the cooking pot of the Instant Pot before placing the ribs on top
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce or use recipe below for Whole30 or homemade;  If you use storebought BBQ sauce, pour it into the cooking pot of the Instant Pot before placing the ribs on top

BBQ RUB

  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 2 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon granulated onion
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • Pinch cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

BBQ SAUCE

  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil or refined coconut oil
  • 1 cup sweet onion diced small
  • 3-4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup honey OR 1/2 cup coconut aminos for Whole30
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 4 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 6- ounce can tomato paste
  • 1/2 cups chicken stock
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

Equipment

  • Instant Pot

Instructions 

  • Turn ribs over so meaty side is face-down. Using a butter knife and your fingers, separate the transparent membrane from the back of the bones and meat and peel off.
  • In a small bowl, combine all BBQ rub ingredients and sprinkle evenly all over ribs, front and back.

If making BBQ sauce homemade:

  • Turn Instant Pot on Sauté mode. When hot, add avocado or coconut oil and sauté onion for 3-4 minutes or until softened and translucent. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, stirring constantly, about 30 seconds. Add remaining BBQ sauce ingredients and stir until smooth.
  • Add rib halves to Instant Pot, fitting them in a C-shape curve inside the cooking pot. Secure lid and set valve to Sealing position. Cook on Manual High Pressure for 40 minutes. Quick release.
  • Remove ribs carefully – they will be fall-apart tender. Transfer to a baking sheet and preheat your broiler. Broil, watching carefully, until browned on top.
  • If you made your sauce homemade: Blend the sauce, left in the Instant Pot, using an immersion blender or regular blender.
  • Baste ribs with sauce and serve with plenty for dunking. Sprinkle with extra BBQ rub if desired.

Notes

If you’re on Whole30, make absolute sure you do not use honey; use coconut aminos instead. You can also use 2 cups of my Whole BBQ sauce if you like.
You may have to squeeze the ribs in the Instant Pot so they fit – that is fine.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 640kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 46g, Fat: 40g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Cholesterol: 149mg, Sodium: 2182mg, Potassium: 1288mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 3513IU, Vitamin C: 13mg, Calcium: 118mg, Iron: 5mg, Net Carbs: 20g

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

 

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

 

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

© Author: Cheryl Malik

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @40aprons on social and be sure to leave a review on the blog post!

Rate Recipe Tag Me on Instagram
Cheryl Malik

Meet Cheryl Malik

Cheryl Malik is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind the healthy, flavorful, family friendly recipes at 40 Aprons. She's been a blogger for 10+ years and is known for her delicious recipes and detailed recipe instructions. Cheryl is a mom of three who lives in Memphis, TN.

Read more...

You may also like...

  • overhead image of whole30 instant pot chicken tortilla-less soup in a bowl with fresh cilantro, avocado, and red onion on top
    Whole30 Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla-Less Soup (Paleo)
  • Instant Pot Brisket Taco Bowls (Whole30, Paleo, Low Carb)
  • This Whole30 Instant Pot turkey breast with gravy is quick, so delicious, and totally Whole30 compliant. Brined with a garlic-herb butter under the skin, this Whole30 turkey breast and the gravy are both made in the Instant Pot, making Thanksgiving easier! You'll love this Whole30 Instant Pot turkey breast and gravy, because the meat is so tender, and the gravy is so easy. Perfect for any Whole30 Thanksgiving or paleo Thanksgiving table. 
    Whole30 Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Gravy (Paleo)

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below.

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Jennifer H says

    Posted on 9/5/20 at 10:49 pm

    Question: If making homemade BBQ sauce, does it just stay in the bottom of the instant pot while you cook the ribs in the instant pot? And then don’t add sauce directly to the ribs until after they broil?
    And if using store bought BBQ sauce, do I put in on the ribs while they cook in instant pot, or just wait until after they are broiled?
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 11/9/20 at 10:54 am

      If you use storebought BBQ sauce, pour it into the cooking pot of the Instant Pot before placing the ribs on top!5 stars

      Reply
  2. Megan says

    Posted on 5/24/20 at 6:04 pm

    Make these a lot and they are great! Love your recipes!!5 stars

    Reply
  3. Julie G says

    Posted on 4/11/20 at 9:34 pm

    Made these tonight and they turned out perfectly! Thanks so much for such an easy and delicious recipe.

    Reply
  4. Megan says

    Posted on 4/2/20 at 6:28 pm

    These are fantastic. My go to recipe for ribs!

    Reply
  5. Karen says

    Posted on 1/26/20 at 5:11 am

    Cheryl This one look so delicious recipe.! really impressed that how you presented this amazing recipe. Thanks for sharing this wonderful mouth watering recipe..!5 stars

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

What’s Popular?

Reusable meal prep trays with sweet potato, scrambled eggs, and sausage for a whole30 breakfast

Whole30 Breakfast Meal Prep

Crispy, golden air fryer tater tots in a large white serving bowl next to a small ramekin of bright red ketchup.

Air Fryer Tater Tots

Overhead view of marry me chicken in a cast iron skillet

Marry Me Chicken (Chicken in a Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce)

Instant pot chicken and rice in a bowl

Dreamy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice

In Season

Whole30 In-n-Out burgers close up

Whole30 Burgers – Burger Joint Style (Paleo, Low Carb)

Overhead photo of keto chicken tortilla soup in a rustic bowl

Keto Chicken Tortilla Soup (Low Carb, Gluten Free)

Air fryer chicken wings on a platter with sauce

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings in Buffalo Sauce

Instant pot frozen chicken breast - easy chicken recipes for dinners with few ingredients

Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Breast

As seen on:

More Goodies + NO Ads!

Become a 40 Aprons Premium Member!

All the 40 Aprons content you love - now even better.

  • Member-Exclusive Recipes
  • Meal Plans & Grocery Lists
  • eBooks
  • NO ADS!
Join now

Privacy Policy

Accessibility

Disclaimers

Contact

© 2023 40 Aprons
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
Back to Top
370 shares