Instant Pot Country Style Ribs are very delicious and are an easy meal to make. You will get fork tender, juicy ribs flavored with a tasty spice rub, and finished with tangy barbecue sauce. This is one of our favorite recipes for ribs! Pressure cooker country style pork ribs are a great weeknight meal that is ready in under an hour!
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Instant Pot Country Style Ribs
Even if you have a busy night ahead you can make these easy, tender Instant Pot country style ribs in under an hour of cooking time!
On a busy night I know that my Instant Pot® will be my tool of choice to make a great recipe, such as these amazing Instant Pot Country Style Pork Ribs, because they are done in a fraction of the time it takes to cook perfect ribs in the oven.
Pressure cooking this cut of meat is the easy way to get the best results of super tender country style ribs.
What are Country-Style Pork Ribs?
• Country-style Ribs are usually boneless, but can also come with a bone or two in them (not rib bones, but part of the scapula).
• These boneless pork ribs (or bone-in ribs) come from the shoulder area (the fatty, muscular section of the shoulder blade near the end of the loin).
• For this recipe you can use either boneless country style ribs or bone-in country style ribs. It’s the same cook time.
How to Make the Pork Ribs Flavorful
You will want to season them really well with a flavorful simple dry rub, such as my Ribs Spice Rub recipe. This rub is delicious on pork ribs, pork shoulder, and pork chops. It is easy to mix together and adds so much flavor!
• If you don't want to make the rub recipe you can just sprinkle all sides of the ribs with salt & black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar (optional), chili powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, or any combo of spices and ingredient amounts you like.
• Rub the spices into the meat so they stick!
Can Frozen Country-Style Ribs Be Used?
Yes they can! Just cook 5 minutes longer Read below for my tips for seasoning frozen ribs).
Can I Use a Spice Rub on Frozen Country Style Ribs?
- Yes! Dry rubs stick well to frozen meats by following this method (adapted from a reader's suggestion):
- First, place the dry rub seasoning into a zip-closure bag that is large enough for the ribs to move around in — use 2 bags if you have several ribs.
- Remove ribs from the freezer after spices have been added to the bags.
- Add the frozen ribs to the zip-closure bag. Seal the bag.
- Immediately shake the bag to coat all sides of each of the frozen ribs.
- Set the bag aside until ready to cook. If you won’t be cooking right away, the meat needs to immediately be placed back into the freezer or the refrigerator.
Note: This is my favorite way to pre-prep for a freezer-to-instant-pot recipe that uses frozen meat — be sure to do all steps quickly, and return meat to the freezer before it starts to thaw.
What is the Best Cooking Liquid to Use in the Pressure Cooker?
- For boneless country style pork ribs (or bone-in) the liquid in the pot can be water, beer, chicken broth, beef broth, or juice.
- I prefer apple juice jazzed up with some liquid smoke and a little apple cider vinegar (ACV). You can’t taste ACV in the ribs, especially after they are slathered with bbq sauce. It adds a nice fragrant note that we really like.
- If you don’t have any ACV, or don’t want to use it, it’s fine to omit it.
Here are the Steps to Make Instant Pot Country Style Ribs
•
Lay the ribs on a baking sheet and rub the ribs with the spice rub on all sides. Let the ribs sit while you prepare the pressure cooker.
•
Add a cup of water or apple juice, liquid smoke, and apple cider vinegar to the inner liner pot of the pressure cooker. Place the metal trivet/rack inside the pot.
•
Place ribs on the trivet/rack, trying not to overlap them too much.
•
Place the lid on the pot and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position. Then press the Pressure Cook/Manual button or dial, then the +/- button or dial to select 25 minutes of cook time. High pressure.
• When the cook time is finished, let the pot sit undisturbed for 10 minutes (10 minute Natural Pressure Release). As soon as the natural release time is up, release the remaining steam/pressure manually (quick release).
•
When the pin in the lid drops down, open the lid.
•
Use tongs to remove the ribs to a foil lined baking pan. Slather your favorite bbq sauce all over the ribs.
To Finish (Broil & Caramelize)
•
This step is optional. Sometimes I just sauce them up and eat them.
•
Set the oven broiler to about 350° (if you can select temperature. Otherwise just turn it on) to start it heating up.
•
Place the pan of sauced ribs under the broiler for a few minutes to caramelize the sauce. Watch them to make sure they don't burn or get dried out.
•
Serve with a little extra bbq sauce in a small bowl for dipping.
•
I don’t make homemade barbecue sauce very often because I have a favorite brand that has a nice smoky flavor that we all love. Just use your favorite!
• You will want to apply your favorite barbecue sauce using a basting brush.
What to Serve With Country Style Ribs
We like to serve our Country Style Pork Ribs with one or more of the following side dish recipes: Potato Salad, Mashed Potatoes, Cilantro Lime Rice, Macaroni Salad, Coleslaw, Mac and Cheese, and a simple Fruit Salad.
How to Store Pressure Cooker Country Style Ribs
• You can store this instant pot country style ribs recipe in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.
The cooked ribs can be frozen.
• The best way to freeze them is to wrap them in plastic wrap, then wrap them tightly in some foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Country Ribs
Instant Pot Barbecue Beef
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
If you ever have comments, questions, or want to rate this instant pot country-style ribs recipe after you make it, please do! Use the form below the recipe card.
I have hundreds of Instant Pot recipes on this website, so browse around for wonderful meal ideas such as:
• Instant Pot Soups
• Instant Pot Desserts
• Instant Pot Pasta Recipes
And much more!
Instant Pot Country Style Ribs are delicious and easy to make. Fork tender meat flavored with a spice rub, and finished with your favorite barbecue sauce. A great weeknight meal that's ready in under an hour!
- 3-4 lbs Country Style Pork Ribs* (boneless or bone-in)
- ⅓ cup Spice Rub (something smoky is really good. Check out my recipe - see Notes)
- 2 cups Apple Juice (or water, beer, broth, etc.)
- 1 Tablespoon Liquid Smoke
- ¼ cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1-2 cups Barbecue Sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)
-
Rub the ribs with the spice rub on all sides. Let the ribs sit while you prepare the pressure cooker.
-
Add the apple juice, liquid smoke, and apple cider vinegar to the inner liner pot of the pressure cooker. Place the metal trivet/rack in the pot.
-
Place the ribs on the trivet, trying not to overlap by much.
-
Place the lid on the pot and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position. Then press the Pressure Cook/Manual button or dial, then the +/- button or dial to select 25 minutes.
-
When the cook time is finished, let the pot sit undisturbed for 10 minutes (10 minute Natural Release). After that 10 minutes, immediately release the remaining steam/pressure manually (avoids overcooking the ribs).
-
When the pin in the lid drops down, open the lid.
-
Use tongs to remove the ribs to a foil lined baking pan. Slather barbecue sauce all over them.
-
Set the oven broiler to 350° - 400° F to start heating it up.
-
Place ribs under the broiler for a few minutes to caramelize the sauce (this step is optional. Sometimes I just sauce them up and eat them). Watch them carefully to make sure they don't burn or get dried out.
-
Serve with a little extra bbq sauce for dipping.
*Frozen ribs can be used, just add 5 minutes to the cook time.
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Michele
I made these at the same time I was making your baby back rib recipe. Had extra guests coming and needed sone extra ribs. Everything was seasoned up and refrigerated overnight. Everything came out nice and tender. Only change I made I used 2 cups chicken broth and 1/4 c apple cider vinegar for the liquid, same cook time,
Roger Billman
I have an 8-quart instant pot....what's the maximum amount of ribs (in pounds) you would suggest doing at one time.
Sandy
As many as will fit without stacking. I suggest separating the layers with some kind of rack, or place them vertically in a steamer basket.