Instant Pot Ribs with Baked Potatoes | Chef Erik Hoover of Cockeye BBQ makes Instant Pot Ribs with Baked Potatoes as part of Valley Spotlight’s “Quick Cook” challenge. The goal? Create a family meal for under $25 with ingredients from Grocery Outlet. Total cost at Grocery Outlet: $24.93. Prices reflect date of purchase. Pantry staples are not included in the total price. Recipe by Erik Hoover.
The breakdown: Ribs: Ribs, $19.99; salt and pepper, 5 cents; garlic powder, 15 cents; chili powder, 15 cents; onion powder, 15 cents; brown sugar, 30 cents; apple-cider vinegar, 15 cents. Ribs total: $20.94. BBQ Sauce: tomato sauce, 20 cents; ketchup, 59 cents; molasses, 30 cents; apple-cider vinegar, 25 cents; paprika, 15 cents; salt and pepper, 10 cents; onion powder, 15 cents; garlic powder, 15 cents; cayenne pepper, 15 cents; chili powder, 15 cents; ground mustard, 15 cents; ground cinnamon, 15 cents. Sauce total: $2.24. Potatoes: $1.75.

Instant Pot Ribs with Baked Potatoes
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
COOK TIME: 1 hour
SERVINGS: 6
Ingredients
1-2 racks pork ribs (*see preparation note below)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon light brown sugar
1 cup water
½ cup apple juice (or ¼ cup apple-cider vinegar)
1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional*)
1 cup barbecue sauce (homemade or store-bought (see recipe below)
Preparation
- Remove membranes from back of ribs, if needed.
- Rub seasonings over both sides of ribs.
- Place wire trivet rack in bottom of Instant Pot.
- Add water, apple juice (or apple-cider vinegar) and liquid smoke (optional), but recommended for that great smoky flavor).
- Place ribs upright, with meat side facing out. If you’re using one large rack of ribs, circle them around pot.*
- Secure lid and close vent.
- Press “manual” or “pressure cook” and cook on high pressure. Baby back ribs: 25-30 minutes. Spare ribs: 30-35 minutes. For low altitude, use the lower number; for high altitude, cook a little longer. Also, the longer you cook them, the more fall-off-the-bone tender they will be. If you want them tender, without falling off the bone, use a slightly lower cook time.
- When timer beeps, allow pressure to naturally release for 15 minutes, then turn valve to quick release.
- Carefully remove ribs to a large, foil-lined baking sheet and slather with barbecue sauce.
- Optional: broil ribs in oven for 2-3 minutes to caramelize barbecue sauce.
Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce
PREP TIME: 5 minutes
COOK TIME: 20 minutes
SERVINGS: 4
Ingredients
8 ounces tomato sauce
1 cup ketchup
⅔ cup light brown sugar
¼ cup molasses
⅔ cup apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons hickory flavored liquid smoke
½ teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
½ teaspoon kosher salt (or more to taste)
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
⅛ teaspoon chili powder
⅛ teaspoon ground mustard
⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Preparation
- Add all ingredients to a large saucepan and mix together until smooth.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until mixture comes to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or up to one hour, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool. The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools.
- Store in air-tight container or jar in the fridge for up to three weeks.
Click on recipe card to print.
Click on recipe card to print.
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