Instant Pot Ribs with Apple Juice

Melt in your mouth tender. These Instant Pot Pork Ribs with Apple Juice will blow your mind. Super to make, have delicious fall-off-the-bone ribs in less than 1 hour.

Why you will love this recipe!

Instant Pot Ribs with Apple Juice have got to be the easiest way to cook pork ribs.  

The Instant Pot is a great appliance to have in your kitchen. The high-pressure system cuts cooking time significantly and makes the toughest meat bone tender. I use it all the time for stews, beef short ribs, or any ribs. 

My Instant Pot is about 7 years old - it's so old. It is definitely a quality product. There are so many other brands these days for high pressure cooker. Another great brand is Ninja Foodi. When you are looking for an electric pressure cooker, make sure there is a really safe pressure release.

The Inspiration Flora Farms

A little history on these ribs started with the BBQ Sauce.

Flora Farms is a 150-acre farm in the foothills of the sierra in San Jose del Cabo, about 25 minutes from Cabo San Lucas is one of my favorite places in the world. This place has the most incredible farm-to-table restaurant.

I fell in love with their cocktails, sunset, rescued dogs that run around freely, nightly live bands, and of course, the FOOD. One that stands out the most is the pork chop with their house-made BBQ sauce. I asked the server what was in the sauce. I was surprised when he told me how simple the ingredients were. Tomatoes, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, star anise. They only use the BEST ingredients from their farm.

I was inspired. I went home and recreated the sauce. 

Ingredients

Baby Back Pork Ribs

You can use any type of ribs. Spare ribs or Louis-style ribs. However, the baby back is the best. It is arguably the most tender part. 

Apple juice 

You don't have to use apple juice. Somehow, the combination of apples and pork makes the best ribs.

If you don't have apple juice, 1 cup of water plus 2 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar should be just as well. I have read in other blogs that they have tried Dr. Pepper, beef broth, or whatever liquid you can think of. 

Liquid smoke

This is optional. You can find liquid smoke in most grocery stores.

Put 1 tablespoon in the instant pot with the apple juice.

BBQ Sauce

Try my Flora Farms BBQ Sauce copycat recipe. You can use your own homemade bbq sauce or use your favorite BBQ sauce from the grocery store. 

You do you, boo! 

You will most likely need half a cup to a cup of BBQ Sauce per rack.

Equipment

Instant Pot rack - I lost mine, so I used a silicone roaster

Instant Pot - mine is a 6-quart instant pot

How to make your Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

Step 1  - PREP YOUR RIBS 

• Remove the silver skin at the back of the ribs. Rub the ribs with spices and salt and pepper.

• Place the racks at the bottom of your Instant Pot. Add your liquids (apple juice and liquid smoke)

Step 2 - INSTANT POT

• Place the racks at the bottom of your Instant Pot. Add your liquids (apple juice and liquid smoke).
• Program to MEAT for 40 minutes - some blogs have their cook time at 30 minutes. You can do it in between. I prefer my rack super tender.
• To PREVENT smell, place the Instant Pot under the exhaust fan. Turn on the exhaust fan.
• When the pressure cooking is complete, either use the quick release or let it come to a natural release (around 20 minutes).
• Remove the tender racks of ribs, place them on a tray gently, and apply Flora Farms BBQ Sauce (copycat). *TIP*

Step 3 - Different Cooking Method

• Bake it in the oven at 375 degrees for 5 mins and broil for 2 minutes or until you are satisfied with the colour.
• Grill it outside on the barbecue for 5 – 10 minutes. If you are doing it this way, make sure your ribs are properly rested otherwise, they will break apart.

I personally like the BAKE IT METHOD. It is so much easier. Put aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy clean up.

Place your super tender ribs and start brushing your BBQ Sauce.

TOP TIP: 

I make the ribs the night before, and I let them rest in the fridge overnight. The next day, it is easier to manage and will not break apart.

Use any barbecue sauce, but this is my favorite.

Flora Farms BBQ Sauce copycat

Try out my other Instant Pot recipes

Arroz Caldo made with Brown Rice – Instant Pot

Asian Boneless Short Ribs Instant Pot

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