Get perfectly tender, smoked ribs in under 2 hours, with minimal hands-on time. If you're a bad pre-planner who wants last-minute ribs, these Instant Pot Ribs are just the thing you're looking for.

Why You'll Love Instant Pot Ribs

Tender and Juicy Texture. Pressure cooking locks in moisture, producing fall-off-the-bone ribs every time.
Smoky BBQ Flavor. The addition of smoked seasoning or liquid smoke gives the ribs that authentic, slow-cooked barbecue taste without needing a smoker.
Quick and Convenient. The Instant Pot dramatically cuts down cooking time, making it easy to enjoy ribs on busy weeknights.

People will love Smoked Instant Pot Ribs because they deliver all the tender, smoky, barbecue flavor of slow-cooked ribs in a fraction of the time. Make them with minimal effort and guaranteed juicy, fall-apart results every time.

What Is The Texture Of These Smoked Ribs?

There's no way to get around this--your ribs will be boiled. They won't be slow roasted, they won't be crispy, they will be boiled. However, they can still be very tasty, and importantly, by following this recipe, you can have smoky, perfect ribs in 2 hours. This is way quicker than the 6-8 hours you might otherwise need to smoke them.

The slow smoking also crisps up some of the fat, so to me, this is the best of both worlds--authentic smoked taste, as well as speed.

Which Dry Rub Should I Use?

Any meat going into the smoker needs a dry rub. It adds another depth of flavor and the smoky taste makes the ribs taste divine. For a quick solution, you can use a dry rub for ribs that is already pre-made.

If you want to use spices you already have sitting in your spice cabinet, look for spices that will marry the smoky flavor. Look for garlic, onion, cumin, smoked paprika, pepper, and ancho chili powder. A little bit of brown sugar will add a touch of sweetness to balance the smoky flavors and help caramelize the meat on the ends.

Ingredients You'll Need

1 cup Water- Forms the liquid base in the Instant Pot, creating the steam needed to pressure cook the ribs. This helps tenderize the meat quickly while keeping it juicy and moist.
1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar- Adds a subtle tanginess that balances the richness of the pork. It also helps tenderize the meat and enhances the smoky, barbecue flavor during cooking.
2 tablespoonsBarbecue Rub- A blend of spices that seasons the ribs and infuses them with deep, savory flavor. The rub typically includes salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and a hint of sweetness, creating that classic BBQ taste.
1 rack Baby Back Pork Ribs- The star of the dish. Baby back ribs are meaty and tender, and cutting them into smaller sections helps them fit easily into the Instant Pot and cook evenly. The pressure cooking process makes them fall-off-the-bone tender.
1/4 – 1/2 cup Wood Chips- Provide that signature smoky flavor. Whether you use hickory for boldness, applewood for sweetness, or mesquite for intensity, the wood chips infuse the cooked ribs with the aroma and taste of true barbecue without needing a traditional smoker.

How To Make Smoked Ribs

I will say that I don't think your ribs should necessarily fall off the bone. They should be tender and well-cooked. Falling off the bone means they're overdone and floppy and perhaps even a little mushy. If you like your ribs that way, however, all you have to do is pressure cook them a little bit longer.

Rub the ribs with your choice of seasoning. I used pre-made barbecue seasoning, but you can also follow my recipe for a Mexican-inspired rub.
Cook ribs on a rack in your pressure cooker for 20 minutes HP, 10 mins NPR
Smoke for an hour at 250F.

How To Make Instant Pot Ribs Without A Smoker

If you don't have a smoker, no worries. You can still have smoky pork ribs, but you will have to bake them in the oven.

The smoky flavor will come from the dry rub you put on your ribs. You can also add liquid smoke to your barbecue sauce for an extra smoky flavor. I recommend letting the dry rib marinate for at least 8 hours to infuse into the meat if you have planned ahead.

Turn your oven on to 275F. We're going for low and slow here. We will plan to cook the pork ribs for about 2 hours for two pounds of meat.
For the first hour, cover the ribs with foil and bake to keep them from drying out.
In the second hour, remove the foil and bake, to allow the skin to caramelize. If you like your ribs more tender, bake for another 20 minutes. You can baste with barbecue sauce with liquid smoke if you prefer to intensify that smoky flavor.
For a nice crisp outside, broil the ribs just until the top layer starts to blister. You don't want the rib meat to burn! Baste with additional barbecue sauce right before broiling if you desire.

Smoked Ribs on a cutting board with sauce

Tips And Tricks

Making Smoked Instant Pot Ribs is the perfect way to get tender, fall-off-the-bone barbecue flavor in a fraction of the time. With a few simple techniques, you can achieve that irresistible combination of smokiness, juiciness, and caramelized glaze:

Remove the Membrane- Before seasoning, peel off the thin silver membrane from the back of the ribs. This helps the meat absorb the rub better and results in a more tender texture.
Use a Flavorful Rub- Choose a barbecue rub with a good balance of sweet, smoky, and spicy flavors. If you like a kick, add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika.
Layer Flavor in the Liquid- The apple cider vinegar and water mixture not only helps tenderize the meat but also infuses subtle tangy notes that complement the BBQ seasoning.

Variations

Here are some flavorful and creative ways to customize your Smoked Instant Pot Ribs. Whether you prefer them spicy, sweet, or keto-friendly, these variations will help you tailor the recipe to your taste:

Garlic-Herb- Replace the BBQ rub with a mix of minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and olive oil for a savory, Mediterranean twist.
Applewood Bourbon- Add a splash of bourbon to the cooking liquid and finish the ribs with a glaze made of sugar-free BBQ sauce and a hint of apple juice for a smoky, sophisticated flavor.
Tropical Pineapple- Mix pineapple juice, soy sauce, and garlic into the marinade for a sweet-and-savory island-style twist that pairs beautifully with the smoky flavor.

To Sauce Them Or Not?

I've seen a lot of recipes for pressure cooker ribs and they look good--with one exception. Almost all of them ask you to first pressure cook the meat, and then slather sauce and broil them in the oven.

I'm a barbecue purist who doesn't like to coat her meat in barbecue sauce. I think when you make ribs or brisket, you should taste the meat, not the sauce. If you really want some sauce then I think you should serve it on the side, so as to not hide the taste of the meat. But that's just me.

Why A Smoker Is Great For Low Carb Eating

How do you make ribs in a pressure cooker that taste smoky? I have an electric smoker that I absolutely love. I don't understand how I did keto and low carb for almost four years before getting a smoker. (Here's a post that tells you what I love about this smoker). It is however something that requires a little floor space.

One of my readers has a Nordicware smoker that she speaks highly of, and the reviews on Amazon look great as well, so perhaps that is an alternative if you have a smaller area in which to store a smoker.

But if you're trying to low carb, and want something that's easy, not fussy, and delicious, I would highly recommend a smoker. I basically just throw meat on there--and it comes out delicious. It's insane how easy this is.

If you have leftover smoked ribs, they can be stored in the refrigerator. Place the ribs in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.

Properly stored, smoked ribs can last in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

What To Serve With Smoked Ribs

While the ribs are taking on that delicious smoky flavor, you can reuse your Instant Pot to make some sides to go alongside your pressure cooker ribs. I like to serve Instant Pot Rice and any vegetables you have at your disposal. Try some Green Beans with Bacon!

This recipe makes a great dish for your Memorial Day cookout! You can see more great Memorial Day recipes in this post!

And if you're looking for more delicious rib recipes, you have got to try my Keto Air Fryer Chinese-Style Spareribs or my Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs!

How Long Do They Last?

Smoked Instant Pot Ribs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors often deepen as they sit, making leftovers even more delicious the next day.

To reheat, warm the ribs in the air fryer or oven at 350°F for about 8–10 minutes, brushing them with a little BBQ sauce to keep them moist and restore their glossy finish.

Can You Freeze Them?

For longer storage, freeze the ribs for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat as usual. They’ll still be tender, smoky, and flavorful, just like freshly made.

More Instant Pot Recipes

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