Instant Pot Spare Ribs

These finger-licking-good St. Louis-style Instant Pot Spare Ribs are easy to make – no grill or smoker needed! Seasoned with a smoky dry rub and sugar-free barbecue sauce, they’re a flavorful, Whole30, and meaty appetizer or dinner that everyone will love.

Looking for more sticky and saucy rib recipes? Check out my Balsamic Braised Short Ribs and Instant Pot Short Ribs with Creamy Polenta while you’re here.

There’s nothing like a crisp and juicy rack of ribs slathered in BBQ sauce; the messier, the better! The only downfall? Making them can involve hours of babysitting. That is unless you have an Instant Pot! 

In this Instant Pot Spare Ribs recipe, I’ll show you that the Instant Pot has what it takes to make a downright delicious rack of ribs. It’s much quicker than an oven, grill, or smoker, too.

These pressure cooker spare ribs call for a simple dry rub made with basic pantry stables, 35 minutes of Instant Pot magic, and just 3 minutes under the broiler to caramelize the outside. The result is a batch of smoky St. Louis-style ribs you’ll want to make again and again!

What are spare ribs?

Spare ribs are the ends cut from baby back ribs. While baby back ribs come from the muscle that runs along either side of the pig’s spine, spare ribs are closer to the breast bone. Spare ribs are budget-friendly compared to baby back’s, yet have more meat and marbled fat in between each bone.

In this recipe, we’re using St. Louis-cut ribs. They’re similar to classic spare ribs but have had the breast bone tips and extra cartilage removed. This gives the ribs a flatter, more uniform shape and plenty of fat and flavor.

Ingredients and substitutions

• St. Louis-style pork spare ribs – These are the best cut of ribs for this recipe. They start as spare ribs but are trimmed to remove the cartilage and gristle.
• Barbecue sauce – I used Primal Kitchen Organic Barbecue Sauce because it’s Whole30-friendly. You’re welcome to use any kind of barbecue sauce you already love instead.
• Kosher salt
• Smoked paprika – This is the base of the smoky dry rub for the ribs. It soaks into the meat, creating a nice wood-fired smoky and savory flavor. Go ahead and use regular paprika if that’s what you already have at home.
• Onion powder
• Black pepper
• Chili powder – For a touch of heat and extra spice. You can use less or more, depending on the level of heat you like.
• Ground coriander – For warmth.

How to cook spare ribs in the Instant Pot

I like to make St. Louis ribs in the pressure cooker AND under the broiler. This way, the flavors are sealed into the meat while the outside becomes beautifully caramelized and slightly crispy. Yum!

Here’s how it’s done:

Step 1: Place the rack of ribs on top of a double layer of paper towels and remove the white membrane (AKA the peritoneum). 

Step 2: Make the dry rub by mixing the spices in a bowl. Sprinkle the seasonings over both sides of the ribs, pressing it into the meat with your fingers. 

Tip: For the best flavor, let the ribs sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes so they can soak up the seasonings.

Step 3: Add the water to the Instant Pot and position the trivet on the bottom. Add the ribs, standing them up on their side so that the meaty side faces the edge of the pot.

Step 4: Lock the lid, seal the pressure valve, and pressure cook on high. When the timer stops, allow the steam to release naturally.

Step 5: Once the pressure is released, carefully remove the lid, lift the trivet out of the pot, and transfer the ribs to a sheet pan. Brush both sides with BBQ sauce. Place the BBQ spare ribs under the preheated broiler until the sauce caramelizes and crisps around the edges.

Step 6: Take the ribs out of the oven and garnish them with sliced scallions. Serve with extra barbecue sauce on the side and enjoy!

Tips and tricks

• Always remove the tough, white membrane – To do so, poke a butter knife underneath to loosen it up, then pinch the membrane between your fingers, and pull it off. Check out this video by Cooking with Ry for more guidance.
• Use the trivet insert – It will elevate the ribs above the water, helping them steam rather than soak (which can leave you with a soggy mess). 
• Broil the ribs on a cookie sheet with no edge – After broiling, the meat will be very delicate. An edgeless baking sheet makes it much easier to slide the rack right onto your serving board. 

Flavor variations 

You aren’t limited to dressing the ribs in barbecue sauce. Instead, feel free to dress them in another thick, sticky, and flavorful sauce, like:

• Sweet and sour sauce
• Hawaiian BBQ sauce
• Teriyaki sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Korean BBQ sauce

Serving suggestions

These delicious spare ribs are great for game nights with friends, weeknight dinners, and special weekend meals. When it comes to pairing them with sides and snacks, the sky’s the limit! Use these ideas for inspiration:

• Mediterranean Potato Salad
• Heirloom Tomato Salad
• Maple Glazed Green Beans
• Southern Black-Eyed Peas
• Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes
• Oven-Baked Carrot Fries
• Classic Pasta Salad

Frequently asked questions

Storing and reheating

To store: Wrap any leftover ribs in plastic or foil, then transfer them to an airtight container. They should last for 3 to 4 days in the fridge. 

To reheat: Wrap the ribs loosely in foil and heat in a 250˚F oven until the internal temperature reaches 130ºF – 140ºF.

Hungry for more finger-licking good recipes?

• Instant Pot Sticky Wings
• Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
• Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs
• Barbecue Chicken Pizza