Sticky and saucy fingers are everything you need to expect with these fall-off-the-bone delicious Instant Pot BBQ country ribs! They are very tender and so simple to make, and you’ll get the most delicious recipe in less than 90 minutes all in the Instant Pot.
What Are Country Style Ribs?
Despite the name, country-style ribs aren’t actually considered ribs at all, but they still fall untiler the types of ribs because of the flavor and how they are cooked! They are a thick, meaty cut of pork from the shoulder area, at the blade end of the loin. This is why they have more meat and less bone than traditional ribs like baby back ribs or spare ribs.
Why You’ll Love These Boneless Pork Ribs
Pork shoulder ribs are perfect for the Instant Pot. The pressure cooking process takes this tougher cut of meat and makes it incredibly tender and with so much flavor, making this the best way to make boneless country style pork ribs.
“Fall-off-the-bone tender and flavorful! This Instant Pot recipe is a must-try for any BBQ fan.” –Lindsay
Ingredients Needed
- Ribs: Boneless country style ribs are our favorite to use, but you can also use bone-in country-style ribs but you will have to add a little more cooking time.
- Spice Rub: Perfectly season the ribs with a dry rub of BBQ seasoning
- Cooking liquid: Use the perfect combination of apple juice, liquid smoke, and Apple cider vinegar. These will pair together to make the best flavor and help tenderize the cooking ribs for the best results.
- BBQ sauce: Use your favorite BBQ sauce from the grocery store, or make your own homemade BBQ sauce.
Equipment Needed
For this recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:
How to Make Instant Pot BBQ Country Ribs
- Rub all sides of the pork ribs with the BBQ seasoning; set aside to let the meat get a nice flavor.
- Place apple juice, liquid smoke, and vinegar in the bottom of the Instant Pot insert, and place the trivet in the bottom.
- Place ribs on the trivet, trying not to overlap too much, and place the shoulder blade down.
- Cover the Instant Pot with the lid, and turn the pressure knob to SEALING.
- Press the MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK button and set the timer for 25 minutes.
- When cooking is done, let it release naturally for 10 minutes, then turn the knob to VENTING for a quick release, then remove the lid once pressure is out. This will allow the meat to continue to cook and get tender in the electric pressure cooker.
- Preheat the broiler to low heat while the Instant Pot pressure cooker naturally releases.
- Using tongs, remove ribs from the Instant Pot and place on a baking sheet lined with foil.
- Spread BBQ sauce on top of ribs and place in the broiler for a few minutes until the sauce starts to caramelize. Watch closely to avoid burning or drying out ribs.
Storage Instructions
Store the remaining pork ribs in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days and reheat in the oven at 350℉ until warmed through to your liking.
You may want to brush some more BBQ sauce on before reheating to ensure the ribs won’t dry out.
Serving Suggestions
We recommend serving this recipe with our Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes, Oven Baked Green Beans, or our Mom’s Sweet Potatoes. You can find more classic American recipes here.
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend 25 minutes and then natural release for another 10 minutes, but you have to be sure to add time for the Instant Pot to come to pressure as well. Plan on the BBQ Country ribs to be in the Instant Pot for about 40 minutes, depending on the total weight.
To add an extra special touch to the boneless ribs, you can always try out this homemade BBQ sauce recipe from Gimme Some Oven since you will have a bit more time on your hands using an Instant Pot and all!
If you have never used liquid smoke before, you can find it in most grocery stores near the ketchup and BBQ sauce or online HERE!
Enjoy More Delicious Pork Main Dishes
Whether you like your pork cooked in the slow cooker, grill, or Instant Pot, pork is one of the most versatile main dishes. Check out our comprehensive collection of pork main dishes here.
- Green Chile Pork Tacos
- Instant Pot Bone-In Ribs
- Instant Pot Country-Style Pork Ribs
- Instant Pot Cranberry Pork Chops
- Instant Pot Easy Sweet Pork
- Instant Pot Egg Roll Bowls
- Instant Pot Honey Chipotle Pork Tacos
- Instant Pot Honey Glazed Ham
- Instant Pot Pepperoncini Pork Roast
- Instant Pot Pork Chile Verde
- Instant Pot Pork Tips and Gravy
- Maple and Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin
- Pork Carnitas
Instant Pot BBQ Country Ribs Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 pounds boneless country style pork ribs
- ½ cup BBQ seasoning
- 1 ½ cups apple juice
- 1 Tablespoon liquid smoke
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup BBQ Sauce
Instructions
- Rub all sides of the ribs with BBQ seasoning; set aside.
- Place apple juice, liquid smoke and vinegar in the bottom of the Instant Pot insert and place trivet in the bottom.
- Place ribs on the trivet trying not to overlap too much.
- Cover with lid, and turn the pressure knob to SEALING.
- Press the MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK button and set the timer for 25 minutes.
- When cooking is done, let it release naturally for 10 minutes, then turn the knob to VENTING for a quick release then remove lid once pressure is out..
- Preheat broiler to low heat.
- Using tongs, remove ribs from the Instant Pot and place on a baking sheet lined with foil.
- Spread BBQ sauce on top of ribs and place in the broiler for a few minutes until sauce starts to caramelize. Watch closely to avoid burning or drying out ribs.
- Remove from oven and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.
These look delicious! Just wondering, the recipe calls for boneless ribs but in the picture it looks like they have bones. Can you please clarify? Thank you! I’m looking forward to making these.
We have used both bone in and boneless. We usually buy what is on sale.
I will be camping and will have electricity but no broiler or oven. Can I just do the instant pot cooking and put bbq sauce to dip the meat in?
You can totally skip the broiling step if you are camping. They will still taste amazing!
anyone make this as freezermeal and then cook in insta pot? how long did you cook?
Why are the cook times for country style ribs all over the place for IP recipes? I’ve seen everything from 15 minutes with a natural release, to 35 minutes with natural release. Yours is 25 minutes. Any ideas about this?
Have you ever tried using sugar-free barbecue sauce with these? Just wondering if it will still be good and or “carmelize”.
What kind of BBQ seasoning do you use recipe?
We like McCormick Grill Mates. But really any brand will work great.
We haven’t tried sugar free bbq sauce, but it should work.
What can I sub for Apple juice?
I used sugar free and they were amazing!
Should the pressure be on low, medium, or high on the I P during cooking? Ty
The Manual/Pressure Cook Button – This button is where the magic happens—if a recipe says to cook at High Pressure, this is the button you need. Just press it, then use the [+] and [-] buttons to change the cook time. After a brief pause, the Instant Pot will beep to tell you it’s beginning the pressure cooking process. (The exact name of this button depends on your model of Instant Pot.) Some Instant Pots, such a the Duo Evo Plus have a start button that you’ll need to press to start the cooking process.
Can I use this same recipe it I am cooking beef ribs instead of pork I can’t eat pork
Yes, beef ribs work in this recipe too.
Fall-off-the-bone tender and flavorful! This Instant Pot recipe is a must-try for any BBQ fan.