Instant Pot Spare Ribs

What are Spare Ribs?

The most common cuts of pork ribs are Spare Ribs, Baby Back Ribs, and St. Louis Style Ribs.

Spare Ribs are the cut of pork ribs from the bottom (belly side) of the rib cage (above the breast bone). The full slab of meat has straight & flat bones.

It’s meaty, tender, and packed with porky flavors. In comparison, Spare Ribs are longer and a bigger cut of meat than baby back ribs and St. Louis Style Ribs, while likely being the least expensive!

Spare Ribs (Chinese: 排骨) are really popular in Chinese cuisine – especially the Spareribs with Black Bean Sauce!

Whereas, Baby Back Ribs are the cut of pork ribs from the top of the rib cage (near the backbone).

Spare Ribs vs. St. Louis Style Ribs

How about St. Louis Style Ribs? 

St. Louis Ribs are actually a part of Spare Ribs!

You simply trim off the flap, skirt, & rib tips from a rack of spare ribs to end up with a rack of St. Louis Style Ribs (from top photo to bottom photo).

Compared to Baby Back Ribs, St. Louis Style Ribs have less meat, thinner, & flatter, but the meat is fattier & more flavorful!

Time to Cook Spare Ribs in Instant Pot!

Step-by-Step Guide: Instant Pot Spare Ribs

Prepare ingredients for cooking spare ribs in Instant Pot.

How to Remove the Membrane from Spare Ribs:

• Locate the membrane on either end of the rack (at the back of the ribs).
• Slide a butter knife in between the membrane and bones (see picture below).
• Pull the membrane and tear it off with a paper towel (for better grip).

Tools for Instant Pot Spare Ribs

• Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer & Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid
• Pyrex Measuring Cups
• Instant Pot Trivet or
• Mixing Bowl
• Kitchen Tongs
• Silicone Basting Brush

Optional: Trim Spare Ribs into St. Louis Style Ribs

Spare ribs are usually cheaper than St. Louis Style Ribs. You can easily trim the spare ribs into St. Louis ribs by following these simple steps.

With a sharp knife, remove the flap at the end of the spare ribs.

Then, remove the skirt (as shown in photo below). 

*Pro Tip: The skirt is the strip of meat that runs diagonally on the backside. 

Try to fold the ribs lengthwise and you should find where the breastbone and cartilage are connected. 

Then, separate the rib tips by making a horizontal cut.

Save the rib tips and all the meat you trimmed off. You can save them for our upcoming recipe!

Marinate Spare Ribs

First, mix 1 tsp (3.2g) garlic powder, 1 tsp (3.8g) onion powder, and 2 tbsp (30ml) apple cider vinegar together.

Then, brush the marinade all over the spare ribs.

Generously season the spare ribs with ground black pepper and salt.

Then, marinate the ribs for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.

*Pro Tip: The optimal marinating time for this recipe is 1 – 2 hours. This allows the vinegar to tenderize the meat and let the salt penetrates the meat just a bit.

Pressure Cook Spare Ribs

Optional: add 2 – 3 drops of liquid smoke to the Instant Pot.

Place 1 cup (250ml) of cold water and a steamer rack in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.

Place the marinated spare ribs on the rack.

Close lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing position.

• Pressure Cooking Method: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 20 minutes (Tender with a bit of chew) to 25 minutes (Fall off the bone) + 15 minutes Natural Release

After releasing pressure naturally for 15 minutes, carefully turn the Venting Knob to Venting Position to release the remaining pressure.

Once the Floating Valve drops, open the lid carefully.

*Note: We pressure cooked these spare ribs at High Pressure for 25 minutes + 15 minutes Natural Release, so they were falling off the bone!

Apply Sauce & Broil in Oven/Air Fryer

First, carefully set the spare ribs on an oven tray or chopping board, then generously apply your favorite BBQ sauce all over the ribs on all sides.

*Note: You can use an oven, toaster oven, Instant Pot Duo Crisp‘s “Air Fry” function or Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid for this finishing caramelization step.

*Pro Tip: If you have a large oven, you can finish the spare ribs in one batch. If you’re using the Duo Crisp lid or Air Fryer lid, you’ll need to cut the spare ribs into halves, then finish them in 2 batches.

*Pro Tip: It’s best to broil the spare ribs before cutting it into serving size to retain more moisture.

Option 1 – Oven/Toaster Oven

Place the BBQ Spare Ribs on an oven tray under the “Broil” function (or the highest temperature setting) for a few minutes until the BBQ sauce is caramelized.

Option 2 – Air Fryer Lid

Place the air fryer basket with the tray on the middle rack in Instant Pot (as shown in the photo below).

Now, layer the spare ribs on the air fryer tray in Instant Pot.

Then, place the Air Fryer Lid on the Instant Pot.

• Air Frying Method: Press the “Airfry” button, set the Temperature to 400°F and Cooking Time to 15 minutes.

*Pro Tip: It will take roughly 9 – 11 minutes + preheat time. You can open the lid to check the progress.

Now, air fry the second batch of spare ribs in Instant Pot.

Serve BBQ Spare Ribs

Chop up the Instant Pot BBQ Spare Ribs to finger-licking serving sizes.

Serve these tasty Instant Pot BBQ Spare Ribs immediately! Enjoy~ 🙂

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