Instant Pot Ribs with Orange-Whiskey Glaze
on Feb 19, 2018, Updated May 09, 2020
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This recipe for Instant Pot Ribs first appeared on our sister site, Instant Pot Family Recipes. Simple, delicious, and economical, this is an instant pot recipe you need to try this week.

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About These Instant Pot Ribs
featuring the flavors of orange and whiskey

You may have noticed that since the first of this year, we’ve been making quite a few things in our new kitchen gadget. You may have also noticed that our family is big on delicious pork recipes.
I’m talking about such family favorites as braised pork shoulder, herb-roasted pork tenderloin, and these leftover pork tacos.
Like these instant pot pork chops, this recipe for instant pot ribs is truly a game-changer. Who would ever think that you can make fall-off-the-bone ribs in less than an hour. Folks, I’m here to tell you that it can be done.
About this recipe
- You can serve these babies up in less than an hour, start to finish.
- Remove the membrane from the bony side of the ribs, for style points.
- Pressure cook them for a minimum of 25 minutes, I think 30 is preferable.
- Always allow for natural release (NR) of pressure at the end, this takes 12-15 minutes.
- Finish the Instant Pot Ribs off in a hot oven for about 6 to 8 minutes.

As a slight variation to these orange and whiskey flavored Instant Pot Ribs, Scott tried something a little different and once again he nailed it. He made Instant Pot Ribs as shown below but he made the following changes:
- He did not remove the membrane.
- He seasoned the ribs with salt and pepper.
- He cut the rack in about three segments and layered them flat in the pot.
- He cooked them, using 1 cup of sprite and 1/2 cup barbecue sauce.
I’m not gonna lie. I think Scott is a better cook than I am. I could not stop thinking about his version of Instant Pot Ribs, for days and days. With either of these recipes for Instant Pot Ribs, you can’t go wrong. Get out your pressure cooker and give these a try, they’re bound to change your life! -Dan

Other instant pot recipes
- Instant Pot Creamy Italian Sausage and Pasta
- Instant Pot Baked Beans
- Hot Turkey Sandwiches from the Instant Pot
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Orange-Whiskey Instant Pot Ribs
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Ingredients
For the Instant Pot Ribs
- 3 lbs baby back pork ribs
- 1/2 cup whiskey or bourbon
- 1/2 cup water
For the Orange-Whiskey Barbecue Suace
- 1/2 cup reserved liquid leftover from cooking the ribs
- 2 cups of your favorie barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 pinch curshed red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp flour, for thickening, if necessary
Instructions
- Place the water and whiskey in bottom of Instant Pot and remove the membrane from ribs, if desired. Place the ribs in the pot by curling them around or cut into three segments and place in bottom of pot. Cook on high manual setting for a 25-30 minutes, allow for natural release of pressure at the end. Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Place the ribs on a foil-lined baking sheet, using a pair of tongues and reserve 1/2 cup of liquid in bottom of the pot. Discard the remaining liquid.
- Turn the Instant Pot on suaté (high) and combine all ingredients for the sauce. Stir to reduce and add a little flour if necessary to achieve desired consistency.
- Slather the ribs in sauce and place in the hot oven for 10 minutes. Then, serve immediately or cover with foil and reduce oven to warm until ready to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Do you use orange juice from squeezing fresh oranges or can you use orange juice in the container or does it matter?
Hi Ben, you can use either!
If I double the weight of meat, will the cooking time stay the same, just take longer to reach proper pressurization?
Hi Kate. If you double the meat, add 30 minutes to the time.
Thanks! Should I increase any liquid ingredients substantially? (Iโm naturally inclined to be a little extra generous with the dry, not an absurd amount, but a rounded eyeball type of deal.)
Kate, you should be good with the original volume of liquid.
We used Honey flavoured Whiskey and added extra red peppers flakes.
BEST ribs I’ve had in years!!
Will definitely recommend..
Keep the recipes coming guys..
Thanks for the awesome feedback, Steven. This is one of our favorite ways to make ribs as well!
I wonder if you could make these in a crock pot. I’m still afraid to use a instant pop because I was deathly afraid of pressure pots growing up.
Hi Mikki, you absolutely can make these in a crock pot.
Thanks for this easy recipe. We made these delicious ribs for our son’s birthday last weekend and they were a hit! The only change we made is that we finished them off on the grill. Note: There were NO leftovers!
Great idea, Mark! We are just pulling our grills out from their winter storage here but will be trying your technique with this recipe!