Beef back ribs, those majestic slabs of meat with bones like prehistoric femurs, hold a special allure for barbecue lovers. But traditionally, getting them fall-off-the-bone tender requires hours of low and slow cooking.
Enter the Instant Pot, your weeknight hero, ready to transform these beauties into a meal fit for a caveman’s feast in a fraction of the time.
Why Beef Back Ribs?
The meat is incredibly flavorful, richer than pork ribs, with a satisfyingly meaty texture. Because they come from the primal cut of the rib roast, they’re also known as “dinosaur ribs” due to their impressive size.
While they might not have the same hefty meat chunks as their short rib counterparts, back ribs offer a unique set of advantages:
- Flavorful and affordable: Coming from the primal rib section, back ribs boast a rich beefy taste. They’re also generally less expensive than short ribs, making them a budget-friendly option.
- Shorter cooking time: Due to their leaner nature, back ribs cook significantly faster than short ribs. Perfect for weeknight grilling sessions!
- Amazing bark to meat ratio: Those beautiful, thin layers of meat on back ribs mean you get a fantastic amount of crispy, flavorful bark in every bite.
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The Instant Pot Advantage
Traditionally, beef back ribs benefit from low and slow cooking methods like smoking or braising. But who has hours to wait?
The Instant Pot uses pressure cooking to achieve similar results in a fraction of the time. In under an hour, you can have melt-in-your-mouth ribs ready to devour.
Two Delicious Routes: Texas-Style or Saucy
The beauty of beef back ribs is their versatility. You can go for a pure beefy flavor with a simple Texas-style dry rub, letting the natural richness of the meat shine. Alternatively, create a sticky, juicy, finger-licking good barbecue sauce for a more classic rib experience.
Here’s a sneak peek at the recipe we’ll explore:
- Texas-Style Instant Pot Beef Back Ribs: This recipe celebrates the inherent deliciousness of beef with a no-fuss rub and a focus on perfect pressure cooking technique.
Get Ready to Dive In!
Stay tuned for the full recipes where we’ll walk you through every step of making Instant Pot Beef Back Ribs. We’ll cover everything from finding and prepping the ribs to choosing the perfect rub or sauce, and of course, achieving that fall-off-the-bone tenderness. With the Instant Pot by your side, you’ll be a beef back rib master in no time!
Instant Pot Beef Back Ribs
Course: Uncategorized4
servings15
minutes1
hour15
minutesIngredients
2 racks beef back ribs (cut into manageable sections if necessary)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
1 cup water (or beef broth for extra flavor)
Texas Mop Sauce (Optional):
1 cup beef broth
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Directions
- Prep the Ribs: Pat the ribs dry with paper towels. Trim any excess fat if desired.
- Make the Rub: Combine 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and (optional) ½ teaspoon smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne pepper in a small bowl.
- Season the Ribs: Rub the spice mixture generously onto all sides of the ribs, ensuring they are well coated.
- Sear (Optional): Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in the Instant Pot on the Saute setting (or use a separate pan if your Instant Pot doesn’t allow Saute). Sear the ribs on all sides for a few minutes to develop a nice brown crust (be careful not to burn the rub).
- Pressure Cook: Add 1 cup of water (or beef broth for extra flavor) to the Instant Pot. Place the trivet in the pot and arrange the ribs on top in a single layer (you may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your Instant Pot). Close the lid and ensure the pressure valve is set to “Seal.”
- Cook Time: Pressure cook on High for 75 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully release any remaining pressure manually.
- Serve: Carefully remove the ribs from the Instant Pot and transfer them to a cutting board. Brush with additional sauce if desired (optional recipe below for a simple Texas Mop Sauce). Serve immediately with your favorite BBQ sides.
Texas Mop Sauce (Optional):
Combine 1 cup beef broth, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tablespoon brown sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Use the mop sauce to brush on the ribs during the last few minutes of cooking or after serving.
Tips:
- For extra flavor, you can add a splash of liquid smoke to the cooking liquid before pressure cooking.
- Feel free to customize the seasoning blend to your liking. You can add cayenne pepper for some heat or brown sugar for sweetness.
- If you prefer your ribs to be fall-off-the-bone tender, increase the pressure cooking time by 5-10 minutes.
Enjoy these delicious Instant Pot Beef Back Ribs!
