Instant Pot Sticky Apricot Ribs Are stick to your fingers goodness!
Instant Pot Sticky Apricot Ribs are amazingly easy and delicious. I Posted a version a few weeks back. But I still had some more ribs in my freezer from the butcher box I had received at Christmas. I decided to try out a version that is sweeter and stickier and not the BBQ route. I love apricots, so using apricot jam in this version was a no brainer. This recipe came together in mere minutes. It was in the fridge to marinate for 8 hours and then on to the instant pot. You could definitely just slather the ribs the night before and cook them up for dinner even on a weeknight. These ribs are as fantastic as my first version. In fact, I might like this recipe better!
Cooking these ribs in the instant pot takes the time to get fall off the bone ribs into a reality, even on a work night. I’m new to cooking ribs, and by no means are these as good as some of the great smokehouses in the great BBQ regions of the US. But these will definitely do in when you have a hankering for fall off the bone, sticky ribs, and you don’t want to go out. In fact, I might say these are quite tasty. And cooking them in the instant pot, you can have tender juicy ribs on your table (if you want to skip the marinade step, they are still great) in a little over an hour. Yes, they are that quick!
Liquid smoke can be found in most grocery stores or here on amazon. A teaspoon is all you need. But it will give you that smoky flavor you will be looking for. If you don’t have an Instant Pot and want to get in on this cooking craze, you can find one through this link from Amazon. I get a very tiny minuscule amount from using the link. But every bit helps me run this blog.
I cannot stress enough how amazed I was at the flavor and tenderness The Instant Pot achieved in just cooking for 25 minutes. I encourage you to make the delectable ribs for your family. Let me know in the comments if you make these or if a different jam would be fun. I would love to try a version with blackberry jam at some point. Let me know your thoughts.
- 3-4 lbs pork ribs *see note below
- 1 10 oz jar Apricot preserves
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons hot pepper sesame oil
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons liquid Smoke optional*
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Remove membrane from the back of ribs, if needed.
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Mix together the Apricot preserves, the brown sugar, garlic powder, soy sauce, and the hot pepper sesame oil. Reserve ½ cup for glazing later, keep that in the fridge until needed.
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Heavily coat the ribs in the rest of the glaze. Refrigerate for 8 hours or so (or up to 24 hours). If you are in a hurry, you can skip this step. But you will get more flavor if you have the time.
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When you are ready to cook the ribs
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Place wire trivet rack at the bottom of the instant pot.
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Add water, apple cider vinegar, and liquid smoke (optional, but recommended for that great smoky flavor).
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Place the ribs upright, with the meat side facing out. If you’re using one large rack of ribs, then circle them around the pot.
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Secure lid and close vent.
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Press “manual” or “pressure cook” and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes.
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When the timer beeps, allow the pressure to naturally release for 15 min, then turn the valve to quick release.
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Carefully remove ribs to a large, foil or Silpat lined baking sheet and slather them in ½ of the remaining glaze.
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Turn your oven to broil. Let it heat for 10 minutes or so.
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Broil them in the oven for several minutes to caramelize the BBQ sauce. Flip them and slather the other side with the rest of the glaze, and broil for several more minutes, until the ribs are caramelized and very sticky. Keep your eye on them to make sure they don’t burn. (this is optional, but it makes them taste and look like you’ve used the grill)
Notes
*For spareribs, add 5-10 minutes to the cooking time (high number for higher altitudes and very “fall-off-the-bone” ribs, the lower number for the lower altitude and tender ribs).
*Liquid smoke can be found near the BBQ sauces at your local grocery store. It will add an amazing smoky flavor to the ribs.
