Making a decent version of BBQ pork ribs at home has always been a challenge. We’ve tried par-boiling the racks before a slow bake in the oven or on the charcoal grill. Also, we attempted to roast them wrapped up in Aluminum foil for a long bake time. Nothing came close to the results from smokehouses in the South. The recent innovation of the Instant Pot was the solution to the problem. This is one of three essentials for at-home ribs that rival the BBQ shacks. The other two essentials are Smoked Salt and a bottle of store-bought BBQ sauce.
Start the day before or a few hours before mealtime. We used two racks of pork ribs purchased at Costco. Apply a dry rub of your choice that must include several tablespoons of Smoked Salt. Brown sugar and spices are good additions. Place the salted ribs meat-side up in the refrigerator, uncovered, for up to 24 hours or as little as two hours.
Cut the racks in half and coil them inside the Instant Pot vessel (ribs vertically). Add a cup of water to the vessel although it is probably not necessary. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the ribs from the pot and discard the liquid. When cool enough to handle, use kitchen scissors to cut into two rib or one rib sections. Douse liberally with the bottled BBQ sauce and use a brush or spoon to coat each rib.
Optionally, you can than put the ribs on a sheet tray and broil them for just a few minutes. Either way, the meat will be tender and the ribs will be sweet, salty, and smokey.
Kids, don’t forget to eat your veggies along with this delicious meat candy.
