When the weather changes and cooking and grilling tend to move more indoors never fear that you can't have your favorite homemade ribs. In fact, with our Instant Pot Ribs (IPR) Recipe you can have those famous homemade barbecue ribs anytime you want. With our post and recipe, you'll be able to get the job done and enjoy those savory or sweet homemade barbecue ribs at your leisure. Follow along with us as we take you through the process.
It's always a good idea to get some foundation in place before you build your recipe house. So, let get to some understanding about what an Instant Pot is and what it isn't.
Instant Pot is the process of using pressure the make and cook food products. The actual history of Instant Pot or pressurized cooking goes like this.
The pressure cooking method of cooking in a sealed vessel not permitting steam to escape below a preset pressure. Because the boiling point of water increases as the pressure increases, the pressure built up inside the cooker allows the liquid in the cooking pot to rise to a higher temperature before boiling.
The pressure cooker was invented by Denis Papin, a French physicist, in 1679. However, it only became a household cooking appliance during World War II when the people realized how much fuel they could save due to much shorter cooking time and the ability to cook cheaper cuts of meat easily. Pressure cooking is often used to simulate the effects of long braising or simmering in shorter periods of time.
Modern-day Pressure Cookers or Instant Pots are technological marvels in their ability to have time and temperature settings in multiple modes. These units are larger and with multiple inner containers for myriad uses. Instant Pot Cookers can perform the duties of Pressure Cooker, Slow Timed Cooker, Rice Cooker, Yogurt Maker, Cake Batter Maker, Egg Timed Cooker, Sauté for meats and vegetables, Steamer, Warmer as well as general Sterilizer.
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| Instant Pot Barbecue Ribs |
Now that we know about Instant Pots how exactly do you operate one? We know that cooking food using water or liquid in a sealed vessel produces steam which causes pressure. The containment vessel is specifically designed to withstand the internal pressures created by the increase in steam. The cooker works by trapping the steam produced with the final results being an increase in internal pressure and temperature. After the steam and pressure contain the ingredients forcing the flavors that would normally escape remaining in foods the trapped steam is then allowed to be released slowly so that the vessel can be opened safely.
How do you use an Instant Pot to make Ribs? Similar to that of a barbecue grill the actual cooking process is about time and temperature. With a barbecue grill, there is usually a third component that comes into play and that can most often be the use of wood smoke in the cooking process. And since an Instant Pot is capable of producing heat and a period of time in a controlled fashion then the meat can be cooked similar to that of a barbecue grill. There is, of course, one exception. Simply put an Instant Pot focuses on the use of steam or moisture to do its job. Contrary to that a barbecue grill uses heat to drive out moisture and in the exchange process that heat when slowly applied for extended works to break down the collagen, fibers, tissues, and fats which in turn makes the meat tender.
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| Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Unit |
An Instant Pot may make the meat appear somewhat soggy depending on the period in which the meat is cooked. There are ways to offset this additional moisture but requires the addition of a secondary appliance. That appliance is the use of your inside oven or stove. Typically in the case of meats where an externally somewhat dry surface has required the stove or oven is turned to a high range for a short period of time and the meat is broiled to achieve the desired dryness.
In our Instant Pot IPR recipe, we will make use of both the Instant Pot and your oven. We'll also make use of foil and a container to aid in controlling the cleanup process. Let's get started making those ribs.
As with all rib recipes, one first wants to make sure they have all the necessary ingredients and appliances to get the job done. You'll need your Instant Pot, Oven, Barbecue Sauce, Dry Rub, and Foil. We'll provide a recipe for a quick barbecue sauce but for those who plan ahead and want a great gluten-free barbecue sauce we offer our Jake's Really Good Mild BBQ sauce. If you like the process of creating and adjusting recipes then just follow our quick recipe below.
Southern Style Smoky BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
2 Quarts White Vinegar
2 Cups Splenda No Calorie Sweetener (As an Option 2 Cups White Sugar)
1-1/2 Cups Ketchup
½ Cup Worcestershire Sauce
¼ Cup Hot Sauce
¼ Cup Salt
¼ Cup Ground Black Pepper
1/2 Teaspoon Liquid Smoke
What about smoke in this IPR?
It's common knowledge that Pressure Pots or Instant cookers do not impart smoke flavor into ribs. However, we can induce smoke in one of the simplest ways possible. There are a number of liquid smoke products on the market now which make the introduction process simple. Add approximately 1/2 Teaspoon as the smoke flavor is highly concentrated. This amount of smoke flavor when mixed with recipes that contain no or small amounts of smoke will thoroughly infuse the contents with smoke flavor. Be careful not to overdo the smoke as the meal may become bitter.
Note, it is not a requirement that you add liquid smoke. Many people prefer the natural taste of the meat without smoke so just prepare the recipe as normal and never think about adding smoke.
Blend the ingredients until smooth. Place in a cooking pot and cook on medium high for 20 minutes until the sauce begins to boil. Once boiling reduces the heat to simmer and stir for 5 additional minutes. After simmer removes from heat and lets rest for 30 minutes while the flavors mature and meld.
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| Instant Pot Ribs Inside Unit |
Ribs should be selected on the basis of appearance in that the ribs are not gray or dark in color. Typically ribs should look reddish or somewhat off red in color depending on whether the ribs are cut at the butcher counter or have been thawed after being packed in a frozen state.
Thereafter the ribs must be thoroughly cleaned and any grit or excess bone chips removed. The white and sometimes silver membrane should be removed although it is not absolutely necessary. The membranes removal aids in the absorption of seasoning and steam in the cooking process. Remove the membrane at room temperature with a paper towel and butter knife used to get under the membrane.
Season the ribs using either our more than suitable Tri-Tip, Steak and Rib Natural Dry Rub or for a little more spiciness use our California Chipotle Rub or utilize one of your own dry rubs recipes. We've also added a quick dry rub recipe you can make at home with some basic ingredients. See the dry rub recipe below:
Dry Rub Brown Sugar Sweet and Spicy Recipe
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon Hungarian paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander seed
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons granulated garlic
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
Apply the dry rub after the ribs have been cleaned. Allow the dry rub the marinate the ribs for a minimum of 1 hour. If you can marinate the ribs for a longer period up to 12 hours that works better in imparting the flavors of the rub to the meat.
Once the meat is marinated position your Instant Pot in a well-ventilated area or under a stove hood so that wafting aromas and heat can be vented out of the cooking space.
Pour the barbecue into the container of the Instant Pot. Arrange the seasoned ribs inside the container in a circular fashion. Set the Instant Pot to High with the timer set for 20 minutes. Close and seal the lid and begin cooking.
After 10 minutes into the Instant Pot cooking cycle set your oven to the broiler setting and turn on. It will take approximately 10 minutes for the broiler to achieve the full heat level.
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| Instant Pot Ribs Sample with Salad |
Once the ribs have reached their 20-minute cycle carefully release the heat from the Instant Pot. Remove the lid and with tongs carefully remove the ribs onto a foil-lined tray. Collect the BBQ sauce in the bottom of the Instant Pot container. Coat the ribs with the collected sauce mix to your desired thickness. Quickly move the tray into the oven and allow the ribs to broil under heat for 5 minutes. Remove the ribs and coat again with the barbecue sauce. Replace the ribs in the oven and broil for an additional 5 minutes. Then remove the ribs and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
After resting slice and serve.
If you want different Rub Recipe options I've added three more below:
Culinary Rib Rub Recipe
- 1 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 4 cloves crushed garlic
Citrus Style Tri Tip, Dry Rub Recipe
- 4 teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 2 teaspoons Paprika
- 2 teaspoons Dried Orange Peel
- 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
Homemade Cajun Rib Rub Recipe
- 8 tablespoons paprika
- 3 tablespoons cayenne
- 6 tablespoons ground black pepper
- 4 tablespoons garlic ground
- 3 tablespoons onion ground
- 6 tablespoons sea salt
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 4 tablespoons dried oregano
- 4 tablespoons dried thyme
We enjoy the use of our Instant Pot and along with our many barbecue grills we find that as the weather changes we are never limited by external conditions in deciding what and when we eat. Try our Instant Pot IPR and BBQ Sauce Recipe today. Also Real Food Dietitians and Kylee Cooks both do a really good job at providing instant pot recipes.
Also, as always we pride ourselves on making some pretty good products. For those who've never had them here's your chance to get them along with a pretty sweet discount. Travel to our website at Jake's Famous Foods and use code: Barbecue10 to take 10% off your first order. Use the code at Checkout.
One last thing....after you're done with your ribs it would be great to have a tasty dessert. I've included my Smoked Peach Sweet Potato Cobber Recipe for your viewing.
Thanks for reading and Happy Barbecue!
Jake
