Are you ready to treat yourself to tender and juicy ribs? These Instant Pot Country Style Ribs are the best!
Easy to cook, loaded with flavor, full of protein, and a simple way to create a mess-free meal!
Everyone tends to think that cooking ribs have to happen on the stove or out on the grill, but that couldn't be further from the truth.
Using your Instant Pot is not only a fast and easy way to pressure cook ribs, but it makes the rib meat tender as well.
These are the best Instant Pot Country Style ribs, ever! All you need is to pair them up with a few of your favorite sides and you'll be good to go!
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
The simplicity of cooking these BBQ ribs is really what makes this recipe top-notch. If you've ever cooked ribs on the grill, you know that it can be stressful trying to watch the ribs, time the ribs, turn the ribs, and on and on and on.
But the Instant Pot literally does everything for you. You get to add the ribs and wait for the time to be done. That's it! Bonus if you can grab the ribs on sale at the store and save a few bucks along the way!
- A super simple way to cook tender ribs - You literally just have to add the ingredients!
- Flavorful and easy to add your favorite BBQ sauce and spices
- Excellent for making a large meal to share with family and friends
What are Country Style Ribs?
Country style ribs are different from baby back ribs so it's important to know that you're cooking the right type of rib meat. Country style ribs are pork and are from the shoulder area of the flank.
Typically, they're a meatier rib and are going to costs less at the store.
Recipe Video
Recipe Ingredients
Paprika - You can add smoked paprika as well if you'd like a bit of a smoky flavor and taste.
Sugar - A hint of sweetness is perfect for pairing with the BBQ sauce.
Onion powder - The onion powder adds a hint of onion flavoring without actually having to add real onions.
Garlic powder - You can also add minced garlic as well.
Chili powder - If you like a bit of heat, you can add a little bit or a lot of chili powder.
Cayenne powder - This is optional to add but can really kick up the spiciness.
Black pepper and salt - To taste.
Cumin - Cumin is excellent for adding warmth.
Country-style ribs - Look for ribs with good marbling and a low amount of fat.
Water - This is what will be added to the Instant Pot.
Barbecue sauce - Choose your favorite BBQ sauce.
How to Make Country Style Pork Ribs in the Instant Pot
Gather the necessary ingredients so that you don't find yourself missing anything once you're ready to cook!
Step One: Grab a mixing bowl and mix in all the herbs and spices listed below on the printable recipe card. Stir.
Step Two: Season the ribs on the top and bottom well with the dry seasoning mix.
Step Three: Add the air fryer basket into the Instant pot and pour in ¼ cup of water.
Step Four: Add the ribs to the basket and put on the Air Fryer lid. You can actually stack the ribs as well for this recipe, but don't overcrowd.
Step Five: Press the "air fry" button and cook for 1 hour at 400 degrees. Once done, open the lid and remove the ribs.
Step Six: Cover the ribs with your favorite BBQ sauce and then put them back into the Instant Pot. Press "roast" and cook for 30 minutes at 380 degrees.
Step Seven: Open the lid and remove the ribs.
Enjoy!
Variations
Change up the spices - The dry rub ingredients are delicious, but they're easy to switch out and use something entirely different.
Use a different BBQ sauce - An easy way to make these ribs taste different every time you cook them is to use a different type of BBQ sauce. You can even make these Instant Pot Pork Ribs keto-friendly if you use a keto-approved sauce!
Use honey - If you don't want to add sugar, you can use honey instead. This will make the ribs stickier and a bit messy, but you'll get that sweetness in every bite.
Helpful Tips
You're not going to evenly cut the ribs into exact portions so do your best. Use a sharp knife and cut between the tendon areas of the pork ribs.
How to Serve
Instant Pot Country Style Ribs is a delicious main entree, but don't forget to pair up some delicious side dishes as well:
- Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes
- Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables
- Instant Pot Polenta
- Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
How to Store
Instant Pot Country Style Ribs are an incredible make-ahead dinner and they are also delicious as leftovers.
You can store them for 2-3 days in an air-tight bag. You can freeze them as well by adding them to a freezer-safe container or bag.
How to Reheat
Reheating ribs can be tricky because you don't want to overcook them. You can add them back into the Instant Pot and heat them slowly or you can use your microwave or oven, too.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can make ribs even when you don't have an air fryer lid. If you don't have an air fryer lid, just follow the simple steps below to cook the ribs in your Instant Pot.
Mix all the spice mixture.
Season the ribs with the spice mixture.
Place a metal trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot.
Pour some water or beef broth into the bottom.
Transfer the ribs onto the trivet.
Cook on high pressure for 40 minutes.
When cooking time is complete, wait for a natural pressure release.
Add your favorite BBQ sauce to the ribs, then place inside the oven and broil them on high for 2-3 minutes.
Serve.
Yes, using apple cider vinegar can be a great way to help tenderize ribs. Some people do actually use vinegar to help tenderize their ribs or even use a sauce that has vinegar as one of the main ingredients.
You don't have to marinate ribs if you don't want to! Some people who cook ribs on the grill like to marinate them for a few hours, but who has the time or patience for that? You can easily add the dry rub seasoning and start the cooking process asap.
Instant Pot Pork Recipes
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Instant Pot Country Style Ribs
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne powder
- 2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoon cumin
- 4 lb country style ribs
- ¼ cup water for the Instant Pot
- 2 cups barbecue sauce
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix all the spices together to make the dry rub seasoning.
- Season all sides of the sliced ribs with the rub seasoning.
- Pour ¼ cup of water into the Instant Pot and put the air fryer basket inside the Instant Pot.
- Add the seasoned ribs and cover with the Air Fryer Lid.
- Press the "air fry" button and cook at 400 °F for 1 hour.
- Open the lid and remove the ribs.
- Cover the ribs completely in your favorite BBQ sauce.
- Put the sauced ribs back into the air fryer basket and put back on the lid.
- Press the "roast" button and cook at 380 °F for 30 minutes.
- Open the lid, serve and enjoy.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- You can stack the ribs in the Instant Pot for this recipe, just don't overcrowd too much.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the rib meat into sections.
Corrie - my Instant Pot - does not have the "air fryer feature". The copy of this did not include instructions for non air-frier on my e-mail. Would love to do this in my Instant Pot. Please advise me how to covert this recipe to Instant Pot!! Thanks.
The salt level is REALLY high. A tablespoon is a lot. I'm going to try with less so my blood pressure doesn't go through the roof!
It may seem like a lot, but it's because it's for 4 pounds of meat, which comes to 3/4 teaspoon per pound which I think is a good rule of thumb. However, you should always do what's best for your health!! The recipes are all flexible in terms of salt level (or any spices for that matter) do what suits you.
Your recipe is very confusing. In the steps you say cook for 40 minutes. Then slather in bbq sauce and put in oven for 2-3 minutes. The recipe says cook an hour. Put on sauce and cook for another 30 minutes in air fryer. So which is it???
If you read the instructions he gives an air-frier and non air frier recipe. The 40min and 2-3min instructions are for non air frier, this is very clear in the instructions if you read the whole article