If you’re craving rich, sticky, fall-off-the-bone beef ribs but don’t want to spend hours babysitting the oven or grill, this Instant Pot Sticky BBQ Beef Ribs recipe is about to be your new favorite. These ribs come out incredibly tender in a fraction of the time and are smothered in a thick, finger-licking BBQ glaze that sticks to every bite. It’s got all the comfort of slow-cooked ribs, but without the wait—and perfect for a weeknight or casual weekend dinner.
Instant Pot Sticky BBQ Beef Ribs
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 55 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Instant Pot or any pressure cooker Cuts down the cooking time dramatically while locking in flavor and tenderness.
Tongs For easily handling the ribs without tearing the meat.
Small bowl To mix the spice rub.
Brush or spoon To apply the sticky glaze.
Baking sheet + oven broiler (optional) For a caramelized finish if you like your ribs a bit crispy on top.
Alternative options No Instant Pot? These can easily be adapted for beef ribs in the oven—just bake covered at 300°F for 2.5–3 hours, then broil with sauce for that sticky glaze.
- 3 lbs beef back ribs can substitute with beef baby back ribs or boneless beef ribs if preferred
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper optional for heat
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce your favorite kind, store-bought or homemade
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Prep the ribs
Pat the beef back ribs dry with paper towels. If there's a silverskin membrane on the underside, remove it for best texture.
Make the spice rub
In a small bowl, mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
Season the ribs
Rub the ribs all over with olive oil, then generously coat with the spice mix.
Sear (optional but adds depth)
Using the sauté mode on your Instant Pot, brown the ribs in batches for 2–3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
Deglaze
Pour beef broth and apple cider vinegar into the pot, scraping up any browned bits.
Pressure cook
Place ribs in the pot, standing them up around the edges if needed. Seal and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.
Make the glaze
While ribs are cooking, mix BBQ sauce, honey, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl.
Glaze and broil (optional but worth it)
Transfer ribs to a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush with glaze and broil in the oven for 5 minutes until sticky and caramelized.
Serve and enjoy
Serve hot with extra glaze drizzled on top if desired.
Pairings in Detail
These sticky BBQ ribs go incredibly well with creamy coleslaw, garlic mashed potatoes, or roasted corn on the cob. For a fresh side, try a cucumber and tomato salad. Craving more protein variety? Round out the meal with simple chicken breast recipes or use leftover glaze on grilled veggies for a balanced plate.
FAQs
1. Can I use boneless beef ribs in this recipe?
Yes, boneless beef ribs work great here and can be even easier to serve. Just reduce cooking time by about 5 minutes in the Instant Pot.
2. What’s the difference between beef back ribs and beef spare ribs?
Beef back ribs come from the rib roast and are meatier, while beef spare ribs (from the lower chest) have more connective tissue. Both are delicious, but back ribs are better for this Instant Pot method.
3. Can I make this without an Instant Pot?
Absolutely! For an easy oven ribs recipe, season the ribs and place them in a baking dish with the broth and vinegar, cover with foil, and bake at 300°F for 3 hours. Finish with the glaze and a broil for that sticky finish—classic bbq beef ribs in the oven style.
4. What if I prefer grilled ribs?
After pressure cooking, throw the ribs on a hot grill for 5–7 minutes per side with glaze for delicious beef ribs on the grill vibes—think smoky and saucy!
5. Is this recipe adaptable for the slow cooker?
Yes! Follow the same prep, place everything in your slow cooker, and cook on low for 7–8 hours or high for 4–5. Then glaze and broil or grill to finish—perfect if you’re into beef back ribs slow cooker meals.
6. Looking for variety?
If you love this but want more ideas, check out beef ribs recipe oven, bbq ribs in the oven, or even branch out into ground beef recipes for something totally different yet equally satisfying.
