Instant Pot Cooking: Country Style Ribs

The cold January rain has set in, and there's no way I wanted to stand out on the deck and attempt to grill ribs.  Time for another Instant Pot experiment!

I used a dry rub that I mixed up with this and that which I always use on smoked Boston Butts.  It includes paprika, chili powder, cumin, granulated garlic, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and ground coriander.  You can mix your own or use your favorite purchased dry rub mix.

Instead of using plain water in the pot, I found ham base at Publix today!  I have used Better than Bouillon's Beef and Chicken base for years, and I'm delighted to discover that they have this product in their line now.

2.5 lbs. country style ribs

Dry rub

1 cup water

1 t. ham base

1/2 t. liquid smoke (optional)

your favorite bbq sauce (optional)

Generously season the ribs with the dry rub. Set aside.

Mix water and ham base (and liquid smoke if using) together in a measuring cup and pour into the Instant Pot.

Place the trivet (rack) in the Instant Pot and fit the ribs into the cooker.

Close, lock the lid, set the pressure valve to steam.  Set the cooking time to 26 (or 28 minutes if the ribs are meaty) on high pressure.

When time is up, press “cancel” and let the steam naturally release for 5 minutes.  Then slowly turn the valve on the lid of the Instant Pot to venting position using a long-handled wooden spoon.  When the steam is released, carefully remove the cover.

Carefully remove the rack from the Instant Pot. The ribs are ready to eat!  But.......

if you'd like to sauce them up, place the ribs on a baking sheet like so. Brush them with your favorite BBQ sauce and put under the broiler for a minute or two to glaze the sauce.

So my verdict on pressure cooked ribs?  Two sauce covered thumbs up!