Description
Tender and flavorful beef ribs slow-cooked or pressure-cooked to perfection with a homemade seasoning rub and rich BBQ sauce. This recipe offers two convenient cooking methods—slow cooker or Instant Pot—making it easy to enjoy fall-off-the-bone ribs any time.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Ribs
- 3 pounds beef ribs
Seasoning Rub
- 3 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt (or more to taste)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Additional Ingredients
- 1/4 cup seasoning rub (prepared with above spices)
- 2 cups BBQ sauce
- 1 cup water (for Instant Pot method, or apple cider vinegar as alternative)
Instructions
- Prepare The Ribs: Rinse the beef ribs thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels to ensure the seasoning adheres properly.
- Make the Seasoning Rub: In a small bowl, combine paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Mix well to form your homemade seasoning blend.
- Season the Ribs: Evenly coat all sides of the ribs with the seasoning rub, pressing the spices into the meat with your hands for maximum flavor infusion.
- Slow Cooker Method: Place the seasoned ribs into the slow cooker. Pour 2 cups of BBQ sauce on top to cover the ribs. Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or on LOW for 6-8 hours until ribs are tender and cooked through.
- Instant Pot Method: Pour 1 cup of water or apple cider vinegar into the bottom of the Instant Pot and place the trivet inside. Arrange the seasoned ribs on top of the trivet to keep them elevated above the liquid.
- Pressure Cook: Close the Instant Pot lid and seal the valve. Set the pressure cooker to high pressure for 35 minutes. After cooking, allow the pressure to naturally release to preserve moisture and tenderness.
- Finish and Serve: Carefully remove the ribs from the slow cooker or Instant Pot—they will be hot. Coat them generously with additional BBQ sauce before serving. Enjoy your perfectly cooked beef ribs!
Notes
- You can substitute apple cider vinegar for water in the Instant Pot to add a tangy flavor.
- Adjust salt and cayenne pepper to suit your taste preferences.
- For best results, use meaty ribs like beef back ribs or short ribs.
- Leftover ribs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently to preserve moisture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-8 hours (Slow Cooker) or 35 minutes (Instant Pot)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: beef ribs, slow cooker ribs, Instant Pot ribs, BBQ ribs, homemade seasoning rub, easy rib recipe
