Korean Pork Ribs
, Updated Jan 30, 2024
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Irresistible Korean Pork Ribs with a sticky spicy-sweet glaze. Once you make Instant Pot ribs you will never turn back – incredibly tender, easy and foolproof.
In a hurry? Check out my Easy Air Fryer Ribs recipe!
You will also love my Korean Fried Chicken and Crispy Chicken Karaage
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Published March 2018, Updated July 2020
Eating ribs always reminds me of barbecues and summertime, but there’s no reason you can’t enjoy them year-round! In fact, all the MORE reason to make them in winter 😉
These Korean Pork ribs with their sweet-spicy sticky glaze are irresistible whatever the season. Lucky they are SO EASY to make then.
I love making pork ribs in my slow cooker and was very curious to try making them in an Instant Pot. Turns out the pressure cooker method is equally successful and a lot faster, but this recipe works in both.
Pick Your Ribs!
You have a few choices when it comes to type of pork ribs you can use.
- Baby back ribs, so called because they are the smallest and most tender are the easiest to source. You can find that as a rack or separated as riblets. Baby back ribs cook faster at around 23 -25 minutes in the Instant Pot, allowing for 5 minutes natural release. In the video I used the small pork riblets.
- Spare ribs are larger and meatier but can be quite fatty. They need a slightly longer cooking time of 30-35 minutes plus natural release in a pressure cooker.
TOP TIP If you buy a rack of ribs, you might need to remove the thin membrane that covers the back. Simply slip the tip of a knife under the thin membrane that covers the bony side of the ribs and pull it off – it should come off quite easily.
Korean Pork Ribs
I have used gochujang paste and Korean red pepper powder (gochugaru) in this recipe. Both these ingredients are available online or in Asian supermarkets. If you are a fan of homemade kimchi, you probably already have some gochugaru stashed in your pantry.
Fear not if you DON’T have these ingredients, I have provided some substitutes which will provide pretty similar results. If you want to dial the heat down a bit you can use a smaller amount of gochujang or replace with Sriracha sauce.
How to make Instant Pot Ribs
Full measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page. Please take a look at the steps and video before attempting this recipe!
DRY RUB Mix Korean red pepper powder (gochugaru), paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper together to make a spicy dry rub which will make your ribs super flavorful!
KOREAN BBQ SAUCE Combine all the ingredients for the glaze – ginger ale, gochujang paste, ketchup, soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic and ginger. This will also be your cooking liquid for the ribs. Add this to your Instant Pot.
COOK YOUR RIBS Add the ribs to the pressure cooker. If you are using a rack of ribs then use the trivet and place the ribs on top. Cook baby back ribs for 23 minutes + 5 minutes natural release. Cook spare ribs for 30 minutes + full natural release. Transfer the ribs to a baking sheet.
REDUCE THE SAUCE Add the cornstarch slurry to the Instant Pot and select Sauté. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is reduced and becomes sticky. You will use these to baste your ribs and as a dipping sauce!
BROIL THE RIBS Liberally brush your ribs with the glaze and place under the broiler (a.k.a grill) until they are crispy and slightly charred.
ENJOY! Garnish with a little lime zest and serve with the sauce on the side for much dipping joy! I served mine with some Asian slaw and a side of kimchi – YUM!
If you prefer to cook these in a slow cooker instead please follow the notes in the recipe card below. The results are very similar, but the cooking time will be significantly longer.
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Pressure cooker Korean pork ribs
Video
Ingredients
Dry Rub
- 1 tbsp gochugaru or 1 tbsp hot chilli powder
- 1 tbsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
For the ribs
- 1.8 kg (4 pounds) pork spare ribs or baby back ribs
- 250 ml (1 cup) dry cider or ginger ale
- 2 tbsp gochujang paste or Sriracha
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Asian fish sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar or palm sugar
- 4 large garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
- 1 tsp lime juice or to taste
- 1 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch) diluted in 1 tbsp cold water
- zest of 1 lime to garnish
- salt and pepper to season, if needed
Instructions
- If you are using a rack of ribs, you might need to remove the thin membrane that covers the back. Simply slip the tip of a knife under the thin membrane that covers the bony side of the ribs and pull it off – it should come off quite easily.
- Combine all the ingredients for the dry rub then use it to liberally coat the ribs.
- In a small bowl, mix the ginger ale, gochujang paste, ketchup, soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic and ginger.
- Add this to your Instant Pot. Add the trivet (if cooking spare ribs) and place the ribs on top.
- SPARE RIBS: Cover, set vent to sealing and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally.BABY BACK RIBS: Cover, set vent to sealing and cook on high pressure for 23 minutes. Allow 5 minutes natural release then release the remaining steam manually.
- Transfer the ribs to a rimmed baking sheet, meat side up.
- Add the diluted cornflour to the sauce and set the pressure cooker to ‘sauté’. Cook, stirring occasionally until the sauce is reduced and sticky.
- Meanwhile preheat the grill (broiler). Liberally brush the ribs with the sticky sauce then cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly charred and sizzling.
- Scatter with lime zest and serve with some extra sauce on the side.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is always approximate, and will depend on quality of ingredients and serving sizes.
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I just made this tonight with boneless ribs. Did 25 minutes in the Instant Pot but probably could have been less time. I thought they may be dry (leaner meat) but was pleasantly surprised! I will make again, but cut back on the fish sauce a bit. Great recipe!
They came out amazing!! The marinate was right for them and the ribs came out very juice and tender.
So happy you liked Alejandra! 🙂
Could you replace the ketchup with tomato paste?
Absolutely – yes do
This was my first time finding my way to your blog and also the first recipe I tried and DAMNNNN. My husband said it was the best thing I’ve ever made, and we’ve been together for 11 years. Thank you!!
Now THAT’S a compliment!! Thanks for leaving a comment and so glad you liked it 🙂
Delicious made this in 40 mins total and it was great! Only change I made was no fish sauce and lime and instead of cider I used broth
Yummy. I like heat and ribs so I will definitely be giving these ribs a try. Pinned!
Made this tonight – it was FANTASTIC! We like our ribs a little less well-done, so cooked for 20 minutes with 10 minutes of natural release. The browning at the beginning made it a little slow, but SO worth the effort. Really great ribs; thanks for the recipe!
Wow thanks for the feedback and rating! I may try the 20 mins + 10 NPR myself.
Can this be done with boneless pork ribs? And if so, what would be the difference in cooking time? Thanks in advance!
I haven’t tried it with boneless pork ribs but a little googling suggested the same cooking time (30-35 mins). If you try this recipe with boneless pork ribs please report back – they are not really available in the UK
I adore ribs, but the flavours in these sound amazing Lucy. Not sure I would be willing to share a batch though if I made them….. which may make me look rather greedy x
These ribs look out-of-this-world good! so many great spices and flavors that you used, and a genious idea making them on the pressure cooker…I gotta try this