Transforming tough cuts of meat into tender, succulent dishes has never been easier, and when it comes to pork spare ribs, the Instant Pot truly shines. While traditional smoking or slow-cooking methods yield incredible results, they often demand hours of dedicated time—a luxury many simply don’t have during a busy week. This is where the magic of a pressure cooker like the Instant Pot steps in, delivering fall-off-the-bone ribs with a fraction of the effort and time.
Imagine craving savory, juicy ribs on a Tuesday night. With conventional smoking, this would be impossible, requiring six hours or more of cooking. But with the Instant Pot, what was once a weekend-only indulgence becomes an accessible weeknight delight. This innovative kitchen appliance makes cooking complicated dishes simple, fast, and remarkably delicious.
If you’re new to the world of electric pressure cooking or want to explore the full potential of your Instant Pot, we have a comprehensive guide packed with information and resources to help you get started. From basic functions to advanced tips, we cover everything you need to know to master this versatile appliance.
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Understanding Pork Ribs: Spare Ribs vs. Other Popular Cuts
Before diving into the recipe, let’s demystify the world of pork ribs. When you’re at the butcher or grocery store, you’ll primarily encounter three types: Baby Back Ribs, St. Louis Style Ribs, and Spare Ribs. Knowing the differences can help you make informed choices and appreciate the unique qualities of each cut.
Baby Back Ribs
Baby back ribs, often hailed as America’s favorite, are cut from the top of the rib cage, just below the loin muscle. They are shorter, curvier, and typically leaner and more tender than spare ribs. The meat is located both between and on top of the bones. Their smaller size and tender texture make them quick to cook and a popular choice for grilling and baking.
Spare Ribs
Pork spare ribs come from the belly section of the pig, extending from the spine down to the breastbone. They are larger, flatter, and contain more bone, cartilage, and fat than baby backs, leading to a richer flavor and a more substantial bite. This cut often includes the brisket bone and a flap of meat known as the “rib tips.” While they require a longer cooking time to become tender, the Instant Pot significantly cuts down this duration.
St. Louis Style Ribs
St. Louis style ribs are essentially spare ribs that have been trimmed to a rectangular shape by removing the sternum bone, cartilage, and rib tips. This trimming results in a neater presentation and more uniform cooking. Many home cooks, like myself, prefer to buy full spare ribs and trim them into St. Louis style at home. This not only offers a cost advantage but also provides you with the delicious rib tips and brisket flap, perfect for stir-fries, tacos, or savory snacks.
The Inspiration: A Culinary Journey from a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Every great recipe has a story, and these Instant Pot Spare Ribs are no exception. My inspiration journey took me to a galaxy far, far away—Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios. While visiting the “Docking Bay 7” restaurant, I tried a dish called “Smoked Kaadu Ribs,” themed after a fictional Star Wars creature. Unfortunately, my experience was less than stellar. The ribs were overcooked, riddled with excessive cartilage, and lacked the tender, flavorful punch I expected. It was an undeniable culinary disappointment.
A Quest for Better Ribs: Korean Flavors Meet Instant Pot Efficiency
That disappointing experience sparked a determination: I knew I could create a superior rib dish right at home. I decided to take the Korean-inspired flavors hinted at in the Disney version and elevate them using my trusty Instant Pot. My goal was to create a recipe that delivered tender, flavorful ribs that truly “fall off the bone.”
This quest led me to explore the rich and vibrant flavors of Korean short ribs, known as Kalbi. Kalbi typically features a marinade with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and often a touch of fruit like Asian pear or pineapple for sweetness and tenderization. I realized these elements would be perfect for pork spare ribs. The combination of savory soy, bright pineapple, and aromatic ginger creates a sticky, irresistible sauce that complements the pork beautifully, transforming a simple cut into an extraordinary meal.
Cooking Ribs in the Instant Pot: Simplicity Meets Perfection
You might think cooking ribs is a complex culinary endeavor, but with the Instant Pot, it’s surprisingly straightforward. It’s one of the easiest and most rewarding dishes you can prepare in a pressure cooker. Whether you prefer to cook a whole rack rolled up or cut them into individual bones for easier handling and serving, the process remains simple.
The beauty of Instant Pot ribs lies in their versatility and the minimal effort required. Just a few steps stand between you and perfectly tender ribs:
- **Seasoning:** A flavorful rub is key. My recipe uses a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper to build a robust foundation.
- **Liquid:** A cup of water, along with minced garlic and ground ginger, creates the necessary steam for pressure cooking and infuses the ribs with additional flavor.
- **Cooking Time:** This is where you control the texture. For ribs that are incredibly tender and literally fall off the bone, aim for 18 minutes of high-pressure cooking. If you prefer a meatier, chewier rib with a bit more bite, especially if you’ve cut them into single bones, you can reduce the cooking time to as low as 10-15 minutes.
- **Finishing Touch:** Once pressure cooked, the ribs are already tender, but they need that irresistible caramelized crust. A quick broil in the oven or a few minutes on a hot grill adds a beautiful char, a sticky glaze, and an extra layer of smoky flavor that brings the dish to perfection.
The result is consistently juicy, flavorful ribs that taste like they’ve been slow-cooked all day, but are ready in under an hour. It’s the ultimate weeknight solution for rib cravings!
Instant Pot Sticky Korean-Inspired Spare Ribs
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Equipment
- Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cooker
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Sheet Pan with Wire Rack
Ingredients
For the Ribs:
- 1 Slab of Pork Spare Ribs (about 5 lbs)
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 1 tablespoon Onion Powder
- 1 tablespoon Sea Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Minced Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
- 1 Cup Water
For the Sticky Sauce:
- 1 Can Pineapple Tidbits (reserve juice and half the tidbits for sauce)
- ½ Cup Soy Sauce
- ¼ Cup White Vinegar (spiced or regular is fine)
- ¼ Cup Honey
- 1 tablespoon Minced Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
Instructions
- Carefully trim the slab of pork spare ribs. Remove the rib tips and the brisket flap from the back. Then, remove the thin, tough silver skin membrane from the bone-side of the ribs. Once trimmed, cut the slab into individual bones for easier handling and serving. (Refer to the video above for a visual guide on trimming if needed).
- In a spice shaker or small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of Garlic Powder, 1 tablespoon of Onion Powder, 1 tablespoon of Sea Salt, and 1 teaspoon of Black Pepper. Generously season the trimmed ribs evenly with this spice mixture.
- Place the trivet (steaming rack) inside your Instant Pot.
- Add 1 tablespoon of Minced Garlic, 1 teaspoon of Ground Ginger, and 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot.
- Arrange the seasoned ribs in the Instant Pot on top of the trivet. You can stack them as needed to fit.
- Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, ensuring the sealing valve is set to the “Sealing” position.
- Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting and set the cooking time to 18 minutes for fall-off-the-bone ribs.
- While the ribs are pressure cooking, prepare the sticky sauce. Drain the juice from the can of pineapple tidbits into a medium saucepan. Set the pineapple tidbits aside; you will use half of them later.
- Add ½ cup of soy sauce to the saucepan with the pineapple juice.
- Stir in ¼ cup of white vinegar.
- Add ¼ cup of honey.
- Incorporate 1 tablespoon of minced garlic.
- Add 1 teaspoon of ground ginger.
- Finally, add 1 teaspoon of onion powder to the sauce mixture.
- Place the saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk the mixture constantly and bring it to a boil. Continue to whisk and boil until the sauce has reduced in volume by approximately 50%, becoming noticeably thicker and stickier. This process usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Stir in half of the reserved pineapple tidbits into the thickened sauce.
- Once the Instant Pot has finished cooking, allow it to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes (this is known as a 10-minute Natural Release).
- After 10 minutes, carefully move the sealing toggle to the “Venting” position to quick-release any remaining pressure. Once all pressure has been released and the float valve drops, open the lid.
- Carefully remove the tender ribs and the trivet from the Instant Pot.
- Preheat your oven broiler. Place the ribs on a sheet pan fitted with a wire rack.
- Brush the ribs generously with the prepared sticky sauce. Place the sheet pan on the second rack from the top in your oven. Broil for approximately 5 to 10 minutes, or until the ribs are beautifully browned and caramelized with a delightful sticky glaze. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
- Garnish with the remaining pineapple tidbits and serve immediately with your preferred side dishes, such as white rice, kimchi, or a fresh Asian-inspired salad. Enjoy your perfectly cooked, Korean-inspired Instant Pot Spare Ribs!
Video Tutorial
Nutrition Information (per serving)
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These Korean-inspired Instant Pot Spare Ribs are a meal in themselves, but they pair wonderfully with a variety of side dishes that complement their sweet and savory profile. Here are a few ideas to round out your meal:
- **Steamed White or Brown Rice:** A classic pairing that soaks up all the delicious sticky sauce.
- **Kimchi:** The fermented spice of kimchi offers a fantastic counterpoint to the richness of the ribs.
- **Quick Pickled Vegetables:** Atchara (Filipino pickled papaya) or a simple quick pickle of cucumbers and carrots can add a refreshing, tangy crunch.
- **Asian Slaw:** A crisp cabbage slaw with a sesame-ginger dressing would be a light and fresh addition.
- **Steamed Green Beans or Broccoli:** Simple steamed vegetables are a healthy and easy side.
- **Corn on the Cob:** A sweet and comforting classic that always works well with ribs.
I genuinely hope you try this delicious Instant Pot spare ribs recipe. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy tender, flavorful ribs without spending hours in the kitchen. Your feedback means a lot, so please let me know if you give it a try!
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