Coco Morante’s The Essential Instant Pot Cookbook gives tips and tricks for killer comfort food made with everyone’s favorite countertop appliance.
Making a batch of barbecued ribs in the Instant Pot is much faster than doing it on the grill, and you can make them any time of the year. The ribs cook to tenderness in the pot, then get brushed with barbecue sauce and take a quick trip to the oven until nicely browned and caramelized.
Note: You can steam the ribs with water instead of braising them in the apple juice and vinegar. They will be slightly less flavorful but still good. To steam the ribs, pour 1 cup water into the Instant Pot, place the trivet in the pot, arrange the ribs on top of the trivet, and secure the lid. Select the Steam setting and set the cooking time for 20 or 25 minutes at high pressure, depending on how well done you like your ribs. Release the pressure and bake the ribs as directed.
Directions
- With a rack bone side up, and starting at one end, slip a knife tip under the translucent membrane, loosening it from the bone. Once you have lifted enough to get a good grip, grasp the membrane with a paper towel and peel it off the rack (or ask your butcher to do this). Repeat with the remaining rack(s). Cut the rack(s) in half crosswise.
- Stack the ribs in the Instant Pot. Pour in the apple juice and vinegar. Secure the lid and move the Pressure Release to Sealing. Select the Meat/Stew setting and set the cooking time for 20 minutes at high pressure. (For meat-falling-off-the-bone ribs, set the cooking time for 25 minutes.)
- Let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes. While the pressure is releasing, preheat the oven to 400°F and line a sheet pan with aluminum foil or a silicone baking mat.
- When 15 minutes have passed, move the Pressure Release to Venting to release any remaining steam. Open the pot and, using a pair of tongs, transfer the ribs to the prepared sheet pan. Discard the cooking liquid.
- Brush the ribs on both sides with the barbecue sauce, then bake for about 10 minutes, until the sauce is caramelized and browned. Remove from the oven, cut the ribs apart, and serve.
Reprinted with permission from The Essential Instant Pot Cookbook, copyright © 2017 by Coco Morante, published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.
