Description

This Instant Pot Beef Ribs recipe delivers tender, flavorful beef ribs cooked under pressure to perfection. The ribs are seasoned with a simple rub of sea salt, black pepper, and Ancho chili powder, then pressure cooked to become tender and juicy. An optional broiling step adds a crispy, caramelized bark for enhanced texture and flavor. Perfect for a comforting and hearty meal, these ribs are quick to prepare thanks to the Instant Pot, yet taste like they’ve been slow-cooked for hours.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Beef Ribs

7 to 8 bones of beef back ribs (about 3 pounds), cut into 2-bone pieces

Seasoning

1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Ancho chili powder
1/2 cup water (for pressure cooking)

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Instructions

Prepare the spice rub and season the ribs: In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt, 1 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of Ancho chili powder to create the rub. Sprinkle the rub evenly on both sides of the beef back ribs, ensuring every piece is well coated for optimum flavor.
Place ribs in the Instant Pot with water: Pour ½ cup of water into the Instant Pot or other pressure cooker to create steam. Arrange the seasoned ribs loosely inside the pot, bone side down, to allow even cooking and pressure distribution.
Pressure cook the ribs: Close the lid and seal the valve on the Instant Pot. Set the cooker to high pressure (Manual or Pressure Cook mode) and cook the ribs for 25 minutes. For stovetop pressure cookers, cook for 20 minutes instead. After the cooking cycle completes, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 15 minutes, then carefully quick release any remaining pressure.
Broil the ribs for a crispy finish (optional): Remove the ribs from the Instant Pot and place them bone side down on a rimmed baking sheet. Broil the ribs on high heat for approximately 5 minutes until the meat surface crackles and browns, creating a crispy bark. Watch closely to prevent burning. Once browned, remove from the broiler and serve immediately.

Notes

A rack of beef back ribs typically contains 7 bones; cutting them into 2-bone pieces may leave one piece with a single bone, which is fine.
The ribs are delicious and tender straight from the Instant Pot, falling off the bone easily, but broiling adds a delightful crispy texture on the outside.
If desired, brush the ribs with your favorite BBQ sauce just before the broiling step for added flavor.