Many people wonder what the best cooking method is for ribs – the oven or the Instant Pot. Both have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to flavor, tenderness, and convenience. Here we will compare oven ribs versus Instant Pot ribs to help you decide which is the better option.
Oven Ribs
The oven is a classic and popular way to cook ribs. Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of using the oven:
Advantages
- Oven ribs develop deep, rich flavors from long, slow cooking times. The extended roasting helps tenderize the meat and melts connective tissue.
- You can easily baste and glaze the ribs while they cook in the oven. Brushing on sauce prevents them from drying out.
- Oven cooking allows you to finish ribs directly under the broiler. This gives them a nicely caramelized, charred exterior.
- The oven provides very even, ambient heat. There are no hot or cold spots which could create inconsistent cooking.
Disadvantages
- Cooking ribs in the oven takes a long time, usually 2-4 hours. This isn’t very convenient for weeknight meals.
- It can be hard to maintain a steady low temperature in some ovens. The ribs could end up over or undercooked.
- Flipping and rotating racks of ribs periodically is tedious. You have to open the oven and risk losing heat.
- Oven ribs require more active monitoring during the prolonged cooking time.
Overall, the oven allows you to achieve incredibly flavorful, fall-off-the-bone ribs. But you need patience and plenty of time for this traditional cooking method.
Instant Pot Ribs
The Instant Pot is a popular electric pressure cooker that can also steam, slow cook, sauté, and warm food. Here are some benefits and downsides to cooking ribs in the Instant Pot:
Advantages
- Instant Pot ribs cook for only 45-60 minutes at high pressure. This drastically reduces cooking time compared to the oven.
- The closed environment traps steam and heat to quickly tenderize the meat.
- You don’t have to monitor Instant Pot ribs closely once cooking is underway.
- The Instant Pot can braise ribs in liquid like stock or apple juice, adding extra flavor.
- Clean up is easier since you aren’t dealing with basting sauces.
Disadvantages
- Pressure cooking may give ribs a more “boiled” flavor profile.
- You can’t add glazes or thick barbecue sauces before pressure cooking.
- The Instant Pot doesn’t achieve the caramelized “bark” you can get from oven ribs.
- Cooking multiple racks requires either splitting between batches or stacking.
- Steam from the release valve can make nearby surfaces dirty.
The Instant Pot provides a huge reduction in cooking time. But some people feel pressure cooked ribs lack the complex flavor of oven barbecued ribs.
Comparing Rib Flavor
When it comes to flavor, oven ribs usually have an advantage over Instant Pot ribs. Some reasons for this include:
- The long, slow oven cooking time allows flavor to fully develop as collagen melts.
- Oven ribs get caramelized from higher and more direct heat.
- Instant Pot ribs are braised in liquid rather than roasted.
- Pressure cooking happens too quickly for complex flavors to build.
However, the Instant Pot still infuses ribs with flavor. Adding spices, sauce, and aromatics to the braising liquid boosts the end result. And you can quickly broil or grill Instant Pot ribs after cooking to improve flavor.
Comparing Rib Tenderness
Tenderness is one area where the Instant Pot excels. Here is how it compares to the oven:
- The intense pressure and steam in the Instant Pot fully tenderizes ribs in under an hour.
- Oven ribs can take 2-4 hours for the collagen to break down into tender gelatin.
- The moist environment of the Instant Pot helps prevent overcooking.
- Falling off the bone ribs require careful monitoring when oven cooking.
For pull-apart, fall off the bone texture, the Instant Pot is hard to beat. The rapid buildup of pressure softens ribs remarkably fast.
Convenience Factor
When comparing the convenience of the oven to the Instant Pot for cooking ribs, the Instant Pot is the clear winner:
- Total Instant Pot cooking time is only 45-60 minutes versus 2+ hours for the oven.
- There is minimal monitoring or intervention needed once the Instant Pot is pressurized.
- The Instant Pot doesn’t heat up the kitchen as much as running the oven for hours.
- Instant Pot ribs require less prep work like flipping and rotating.
- Clean up is easier with contained braising rather than messy basting.
The speed and ease of the Instant Pot makes it the more convenient choice for most home cooks during the week.
Conclusion
So which cooking method produces better ribs – the oven or Instant Pot? Here is a summary of the pros and cons:
Oven Ribs
- More complex, deeper flavor
- Can caramelize and char
- Requires hours of cooking time
- Frequent monitoring needed
Instant Pot Ribs
- Very tender and fall-off-the-bone
- Convenient and faster cook time
- Easier clean up
- Less rich flavor complexity
The oven produces ribs with superior texture and flavor given enough time. But the Instant Pot makes ribs a weeknight possibility with its speed and ease of cooking.
For the highest quality ribs, the oven is worth the lengthy cook and involvement required. However, the Instant Pot yields decent ribs conveniently in a fraction of the time.
So choose the oven when you want the very best ribs and have several hours to spare. But opt for the Instant Pot when you want tender, juicy ribs without spending your whole day in the kitchen. Either way, you have two great options for enjoying delicious ribs at home.
Cooking Times
To highlight the difference in cook times, here is a comparison of approximate cooking times for oven ribs vs. Instant Pot ribs:
| Cooking Method | Cooking Time |
|---|---|
| Oven (225°F – 250°F) | 2 – 4 hours |
| Instant Pot (High Pressure) | 45 – 60 minutes |
As you can see, the Instant Pot reduces cook time by around 75% compared to the traditional oven method.
Recipes
To see these different cooking methods in action, below are recipe links for oven barbecue ribs and Instant Pot ribs:
Oven Barbecue Ribs
This oven rib recipe uses a dry rub plus barbecue sauce for flavorful, saucy results:
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/236609/chef-johns-dry-rub-ribs/
Instant Pot Balsamic Ribs
These Instant Pot ribs are braised with a balsamic vinegar sauce for tender texture:
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/281628/instant-pot-balsamic-pork-ribs/
Both recipes make for delicious ribs with techniques suited to either the oven or Instant Pot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about cooking ribs in the oven versus the Instant Pot:
How long should you cook ribs in an Instant Pot?
For 1-2 racks of baby back or spare ribs, cook for 20-30 minutes at high pressure in the Instant Pot. For 3-4 racks of ribs, increase cook time to 35-45 minutes.
Should ribs be cooked in the oven at 250 or 300 degrees?
Cook ribs at a lower 250°F oven temperature to break down connective tissue and fat. Cooking at 300°F may cause the exterior to dry out before the interior is done.
Do you put liquid in the Instant Pot for ribs?
Yes, braising ribs in 1 cup of liquid like broth, juice, or water in the Instant Pot keeps them tender and adds flavor.
Do ribs get crispy in the Instant Pot?
No, ribs will not get crispy or develop a charred bark when cooked in the Instant Pot. Use the oven or grill for crispy ribs.
How can you thicken Instant Pot rib sauce?
After pressure cooking, simmer the ribs in the Instant Pot using the sauté function to reduce the braising liquid into a thicker glaze.