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Home » Main Dish » Pork » Instant Pot Country Style Ribs

Instant Pot Country Style Ribs

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These Instant Pot Country Style Ribs make tender, juicy, perfect ribs with the ease of the Instant Pot and we are all about it. The magic of high pressure cooking transforms boneless pork ribs into a rich, tender and meaty meal in record time! Slather on your favorite BBQ sauce for the best BBQ style pork ribs that are sure to get just as rave reviews as ribs prepared on the grill! 

Country style pork ribs on a dinner plate with mashed potatoes and a salad.


The Instant Pot gets these country ribs nice and tender, and a few minutes of cook time under the broiler finishes them off. Similar to the effect of a hot grill, the broiler makes the BBQ sauce caramelized and sticky and perfect.

Our Instant Pot country style pork ribs recipe is a bit like our Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs, since they both utilize the quick cooking method of the pressure cooker. However, instead of using baby back ribs, this one calls for thick, meaty ribs (either boneless or bone-in).

Why This Recipe Works

Cooking country pork ribs in the Instant Pot is a favorite way to make tender, meaty, delicious pork ribs in a flash. They have all the flavor of these our barbecue pork ribs and our country style ribs in the oven, but you can prep them in half the time. Plus, there’s no need to hover over a hot grill.

Oh, the magic of the Instant Pot!

Our Instant Pot Country Style Ribs are:

  • fork tender with delicious barbecue flavor
  • an easy dinner recipe that is simple to make year-round
  • ready in half the time as traditional ribs

A simple dry rub, your favorite barbecue sauce, and a quick cooking time are all you need for the very best results. We are also providing instructions for different ways to caramelize the sauce onto the ribs, including an air fryer and oven.

Country style pork ribs, Worcestershire sauce, BBQ spice rub, chicken broth, liquid smoke, vinegar, and BBQ sauce.

Ingredients for Instant Pot Country-Style Ribs

For our Instant Pot country style ribs recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

  • bone-in or boneless country style pork ribs
  • dry rub (store-bought or homemade). Check out our recipe if you want to make your own BBQ rub.
  • chicken broth or water
  • apple cider vinegar
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • liquid smoke (optional)
  • BBQ sauce

This recipe requires an Instant Pot, of course. If you don’t have one, we can’t recommend it enough!

Some of our favorite Instant Pot recipes include this Chicken Dumpling Soup and these Instant Pot Carrots with Honey Glaze. They are both likely to become a new family favorite!

How to Make Country Style Ribs in Instant Pot

The Instant Pot is such an easy way to enjoy tender, saucy, juicy ribs in a fraction of the time it typically takes on the barbecue.

Whether you choose to go with boneless or bone-in country style ribs, your cut of meat will turn out perfectly cooked, tender, and with so much flavor.

Here’s a quick look at the process, but be sure to view the full, printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for all of the ingredient amounts and instructions.

Coating pork with a BBQ rub.

Slice the ribs in half and coat them in the dry rub.

Adding broth to an Instant Pot.

In the inner pot of the Instant Pot pressure cooker, add the broth, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke (if using). Place a trivet at the base.

Placing country style ribs in an Instant Pot.

Place ribs on top of the trivet, then cover the Instant Pot with the lid and seal the valve. Cook on high for 16 minutes for tender, firm ribs. If you want extra tender ribs that shred with a fork, cook on high for 35 minutes.

Coating pork ribs in BBQ sauce.

Allow the Instant Pot to do a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure with the quick release button. Spread barbecue sauce on the meat.

Caramelizing bbq sauce on pork ribs.

If broiling, place the cooked ribs on a baking sheet and coat them with barbecue sauce. Set under the hot broiler for 2-3 minutes per side. You can also do this in the air fryer, cooking them at 400°F for 608 minutes.

And if you have an Instant Pot with an air fryer lid, see the full recipe card for instructions on that method.

Recipe Tips for the Best Results

  • For easy cleanup, place the cooked ribs on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. This is the simplest and best way for the ribs to get nice and caramelized under the broiler, without over cooking a silpat mat or having to scrub barbecue sauce off your pan.
  • Adjust the cooking time in the Instant Pot based on how tender you want the ribs to be. For a more tender result that you can shred with a fork, cook up to 35 minutes.
  • When purchasing pork ribs at the grocery store, choose large cuts that are labeled bone-in or boneless country-style pork ribs.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Shredding a pork rib with a fork.

Serve these tender Instant Pot Country Style Ribs with buttery cornbread and potato salad for a backyard barbecue meal that you don’t have to wait for summer to enjoy. A little bit of effort goes a long way with this great recipe. As we see it, there’s no excuse not to make ribs!

Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love:

Beef Ribs in the Oven is a great recipe for making tender country style ribs with beef. A quick dry rub that combines brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper infuses the meat with delicious flavor. Your favorite store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce is the finishing touch.

Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Vegetables are the best way to prepare extra thick pork chops when you’re craving a hearty meal. Thick, fall-apart pork chops slow cook for hours with a mix of potatoes, carrots, fennel and onions.

Our Traeger Pork Shoulder recipe is easy to follow and results in a delicious smoked pork shoulder with a deep flavor and a dark, crisp bark on the crust. Infused with a citrus marinade and roasted for hours on the pellet grill, this simple recipe will not disappoint.

A fork shredding a country style rib.

Instant Pot Country Style Ribs

Instant Pot country-style ribs come out tender and juicy in half the time they would take in the oven or on the grill. Cook them until they are tender, yet firm, or cook them until they fall apart and shred with a fork. Finish them off in the air fryer or broiler to get the BBQ sauce thick and sticky.
4.85 from 13 votes
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 16 minutes
Additional Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 36 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 433kcal
Author: Dahn Boquist

Ingredients

  • 3 to 4 pounds country style ribs bone in or boneless
  • 5 to 6 tablespoons dry rub store-bought or homemade
  • 1 cup chicken broth or water
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon liquid smoke optional
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce

Instructions

Cook the ribs

  • Slice the ribs in half and coat them in the dry rub. 
  • Place a trivet in the inner pot of the Instant Pot and add the broth, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke (if using). 
  • Stack the ribs on top of the trivet. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the valve is in the sealed position. 
  • Set the Instant Pot on high for 16 minutes for tender, firm ribs or 35 minutes for ribs that shred with a fork. 
  • Allow the IP to do a natural pressure release for 10 minutes then manually release any remaining pressure. 

Caramelize the Sauce

    In the Oven

    • Set your oven to broil and place the oven rack 6 inches below the broiler unit. 
    • Place the ribs on a sheet pan and coat them all over with barbecue sauce.
    • Slide the ribs under the broiler and broil them for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until the sauce gets thick and caramelized.

    Air Fryer 

    • Coat the ribs in BBQ sauce and place them in a single layer in the air fryer. Cook at 400°F for 6 to 8 minutes or until the sauce gets thick and sticky. 

    Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid

    • Take the ribs out of the Instant Pot and dump the liquid out of the pot. Coat the ribs in BBQ sauce and place them in the Instant Pot air fryer basket. Place air fryer basket in the inner pot of the Instant Pot. Add the air fryer lid and cook at 400°F for 6 to 12 minutes or until the sauce is sticky and thick. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1/2 of a rib | Calories: 433kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 146mg | Sodium: 319mg | Sugar: 4g

    Dahn Boquist

    Dahn is a retired nurse, recipe creator, home cook, baker, and self-proclaimed foodie. She loves creating in the kitchen and cooking for family and friends. She lives in Washington State with her husband and dog. When she isn't cooking or baking, you can usually find her spending time with her grandchildren or exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

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    Saturday 14th of January 2023

    Hi, is it the same cook time for 1 lb. of country style ribs?

    Dahn Boquist

    Saturday 14th of January 2023

    I haven't tested the recipe with only 1 pound, but it is likely the same cooking time. I have cooked 2 pounds and the cooking time is the same with only 2 pounds.

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