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Instant Pot Tuscan Pork Ribs. Rosticciana spare ribs, rubbed with rosemary, fennel, and garlic, and pressure cooked.
This is my pressure cooker take on Rosticciana, Tuscany’s grilled pork ribs. They are unashamedly pork, with a herb crusted flavor that is different from American barbecue. Not that there’s anything wrong with barbecued ribs - I love them - but sometimes I want something different.
Pressure cooker ribs are another one of the Instant Pot’s killer applications. Sure, they’re not low and slow barbecue - but they’re done after 30 minutes under pressure, instead of hours and hours in a smoker. (Or on the grill, or in an oven…no matter how you cook your ribs, the pressure cooker is quicker.)
The herb rub is an Italian-inspired blend of minced fresh rosemary and garlic, and dried fennel seeds and red pepper flakes. I add a drizzle of balsamic glaze when I’m done. (I’m an American. I can’t entirely give up on sauce on my ribs.) In other words, I’m committing heresy against the Tuscans, the “Real Barbecue” purists, and probably any vegans I haven’t scared off yet. You all have my apologies…but these ribs are so good that I had to share.
Recipe: Instant Pot Tuscan Pork Ribs
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Instant Pot Tuscan Pork Ribs (with Rosemary, Fennel, and Garlic)
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 slab of ribs 1x
Description
Instant Pot Tuscan Pork Ribs. Rosticciana style spare ribs, rubbed with rosemary, fennel, and garlic, and pressure cooked.
Ingredients
- 1 slab spareribs (about 3 pounds)
- 1 cup water (or the minimum liquid amount for your pressure cooker)
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke (optional)
- Balsamic Glaze (optional, for drizzling)
Spice Rub
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced (or ½ teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Remove the membrane from the ribs: On the bone side of the ribs, work a butter knife between the membrane and the bone, then grab it with a paper towel and pull the membrane off of the ribs. (If it tears while you’re pulling, work the knife under the remaining pieces and pull them off as well.)
- Season the ribs and put them in the pot: In a small bowl, stir the spice rub ingredients, breaking up any clumps of brown sugar with your fingers. Sprinkle both sides of the ribs with the spice rub. Cut the slab of ribs into 4 pieces, cutting between every third bone. Pour a cup of water and the liquid smoke into an Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker, then add the pressure cooker rack. Stack the ribs loosely on top of the rack.
- Pressure cook the ribs for 35 minutes with a Natural Pressure Release: Lock the lid and pressure cook at high pressure for 35 minutes in an Instant Pot or other electric cooker, or for 30 minutes in a stovetop PC. (Use “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” mode in an Instant Pot). Let the pressure come down naturally, about 15 more minutes.
- Serve: Remove the ribs from the pressure cooker - they will be fall apart tender. If you have the time, brown ribs under your oven’s broiler. Drizzle the ribs with a little balsamic glaze and serve, passing the balsamic glaze at the table for your diners to add more if they want. Enjoy!
Notes
- Homemade balsamic glaze: You can make your own balsamic glaze by simmering a half-cup of balsamic vinegar over low heat until reduces down to a thick glaze. That’s how I used to do it, but nowadays my grocery stocks multiple brands of pre-made balsamic glaze, (aka balsamic reduction.) I take the easy way out and buy my glaze pre-reduced. If you do make your own balsamic glaze, please use a cheap balsamic - this is not the place to use a 25 year extra aged balsamic vinegar.
Tools
- 6 quart or larger pressure cooker (I love my Instant Pot 6-Quart Pressure Cooker)
- Rack (this silicone bakeware sling with handles is my favorite)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Sunday Dinner
- Method: Pressure Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
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Mich says
Would this work for country-style pork ribs?
Mike Vrobel says
Yes, but you have to change the cooking time - follow the cooking instructions in this recipe: https://www.dadcooksdinner.com/pressure-cooker-pork-country-ribs-cider-mustard/
Mike Vrobel says
I used spare ribs - if you use St. Louis cut or baby backs, cut the cooking time back to 30 minutes unless you like your ribs really, really tender
PattiAnn says
Yes Mike, I always use the IP for ribs, just 'cause it works so good. And I will try this recipe 'cause it looks good and a different take on ribs. Did you use St. Louis style or baby backs? I guess both would work.