Instant Pot Pork Ribs

I love to cook ribs low and slow, then grill them with BBQ sauce to make them crisp and flavourful.  But slow roasting the ribs in the oven takes hours.  You can get the same tender results in the Instant Pot in minutes! 

I normally make at least two racks of ribs in the oven, since it takes so much time and effort, but with this method, I can justify making just one rack for a weeknight dinner.  I never thought I'd have homemade ribs on a weeknight!

I use a homemade spice rub when I make ribs, but you can season them any way you like.  Montreal Chicken seasoning is great for ribs.  

In the Instant Pot you need to use the rack to cook ribs.  You also need some liquid for pressure cooking.  I used chicken stock this time, but apple juice, cider or beer would be great!

For tender ribs, cook on Manual for 21 minutes.  It will take about 40 minutes when you include time to build up and release the pressure.  Still reasonable for a weeknight dinner!

You can spread the ribs with your favourite BBQ sauce and serve when they come out of the Instant Pot, but I like to crisp them up on the grill.  

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients
1 rack spare ribs
2 tablespoons spice rub (see recipe below, or make/buy your own)
1 cup chicken stock, apple juice, beer or cider
BBQ sauce

Directions
Rub ribs all over with spice rub
Place rack in Instant Pot
Add stock, juice or beer to pot
Place ribs on rack in pot
Seal Instant Pot lid
Set Instant Pot to 21 minutes on Manual setting
Once done, let pressure release naturally
Grill or broil ribs, brushing with BBQ sauce until crisp



BBQ Spice Rub
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions
Mix all spices together and store in a sealed container. 

BBQ Beef Ribs

Beef ribs - a tasty summer treat!  I usually make pork ribs, which are a great meal on the barbecue, but I saw beef ribs on sale in the grocery store and decided to give them a try.   

The ribs came in a full rack, but the meat shrank on the bone and ended up looking a bit like short ribs in the once cooked.

First, I braised the ribs in beer!  Cut the ribs into single-rib segments. 

BBQ Ribs My Way

I've read a lot of cooking blogs and forums and one of the most contentious, controversial food items I've seen discussed is the "right" way to cook ribs. I know different places in the US have long BBQ traditions but where I live, we usually just grill the meat.  These ribs might not be done by any traditional method but there's no denying that they taste delicious!

First I braise the ribs in the oven. No, I don't boil them or smoke them, maybe you or your ancestors do but these are ribs my way!

Sometimes I use different liquids and spices but this mix is super easy and turns out delicious. I brush the ribs with apple juice and then sprinkle with Montreal chicken spice.

These are pork back ribs but you can use side ribs.

I brushed the apple juice and spices over the ribs and wrapped them in foil. 

I braise these in the oven for a long, long time at a low, low temperature.

I braise them for three or four hours until they are very tender. 

I then cut the ribs into smaller pieces for the grill.

My ribs are smothered with barbecue sauce on the grill. You can make your own or use store bought sauce (I like Diana's Spicy the best).

Grill until hot and lightly charred.

For an embarrassingly enormous meal, serve with a baked potato and grilled asparagus.

These might not be ribs the traditional way or your way but they are my way and there's no denying they're delicious!