how long to pressure cook ribs in ninja foodi

Daniel Parker

3 min read

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20-01-2025

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The Ninja Foodi has revolutionized the way we cook ribs, delivering fall-off-the-bone tenderness in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods. But knowing precisely how long to pressure cook ribs in your Ninja Foodi is key to achieving perfect results. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, ensuring juicy, succulent ribs every time.

Understanding the Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooking Process for Ribs

Pressure cooking ribs in your Ninja Foodi utilizes high pressure and steam to break down the connective tissues, resulting in incredibly tender meat. Unlike slow cooking, which can dry out ribs, pressure cooking retains moisture, leading to incredibly juicy results. The key is finding the right balance of pressure cooking time and additional cooking methods for optimal flavor and texture.

Factors Affecting Pressure Cooking Time

Several factors influence the ideal pressure cooking time for ribs in your Ninja Foodi:

• Type of Ribs: Baby back ribs generally require less cooking time than St. Louis-style ribs due to their smaller size and less bone mass. Spare ribs, being the meatiest, will need the longest cooking time.
• Thickness of Ribs: Thicker racks of ribs will necessitate a longer cooking time to ensure the meat is cooked through.
• Desired Tenderness: Do you want fall-off-the-bone tender ribs, or do you prefer a bit more chew? Adjust cooking times accordingly. Fall-off-the-bone tenderness usually requires a longer cooking time.
• Your Ninja Foodi Model: While most models function similarly, slight variations in pressure and temperature might influence cooking times. Always refer to your specific model’s instruction manual.

Pressure Cooking Ribs in Your Ninja Foodi: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here's a general guideline for pressure cooking ribs in your Ninja Foodi. Remember to adjust times based on the factors listed above.

Ingredients:

• 3-4 lbs rack of your favorite ribs (baby back, St. Louis, or spare)
• Your favorite BBQ rub (see our recipe recommendations below!)
• 1 cup of liquid (apple juice, broth, or water)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ribs: Pat the ribs dry with paper towels. Generously apply your BBQ rub to both sides.

2. Sear the Ribs (Optional): For enhanced flavor, you can sear the ribs in the Ninja Foodi's air fryer function for 5-7 minutes per side before pressure cooking. This step isn't strictly necessary, but adds a delicious smoky crust.

3. Pressure Cook the Ribs: Place the ribs in the Ninja Foodi inner pot. Add 1 cup of liquid to the bottom of the pot. Select the "Pressure Cook" function and set the time to:

   • Baby Back Ribs: 20-25 minutes (high pressure)
   • St. Louis Ribs: 25-30 minutes (high pressure)
   • Spare Ribs: 30-35 minutes (high pressure)

4. Natural Pressure Release: Allow for a natural pressure release (NPR) for at least 10-15 minutes. This allows the ribs to absorb more moisture and become extra tender. After the natural pressure release, carefully quick release any remaining pressure.

5. Optional: Crisp the Ribs (Recommended): For extra crispy ribs, select the air fryer setting for 5-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. This step adds a fantastic texture contrast.

6. Serve and Enjoy: Remove the ribs from the Ninja Foodi and serve immediately.

Troubleshooting and Tips for Perfect Ribs

• Ribs are too tough: You might need to increase the pressure cooking time. Next time, add 5-10 minutes. Ensure you're using enough liquid.
• Ribs are too dry: Increase the amount of liquid in the pot, or try using a more flavorful liquid such as apple juice or broth. Make sure you are not overcooking them.
• Ribs are falling apart: This is usually a good thing! But if you prefer a bit more bite, reduce the cooking time by 5-7 minutes next time.
• Not enough flavor: Experiment with different BBQ rubs and liquids. Marinating the ribs beforehand can also enhance the flavor.

Delicious BBQ Rub Recipe Recommendations

Here are a few BBQ rub recipes to inspire your next Ninja Foodi ribs adventure:

• Classic BBQ Rub: 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional).
• Sweet and Spicy Rub: 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp cumin, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper.
• Kansas City Style Rub: 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper.

Remember to adjust seasonings to your preference!

Conclusion: Mastering Ninja Foodi Ribs

With a little practice, you'll become a Ninja Foodi rib master! The key is understanding your specific model and adjusting cooking times based on the type and thickness of ribs and your preferred level of tenderness. By following this guide and experimenting with different rubs and techniques, you'll be enjoying succulent, melt-in-your-mouth ribs in no time. Now, get cooking!