5 from 14 votes
Instant Pot Pork Ribs (Chinese-Style)
Instant Pot Pork Ribs (Chinese-Style) use a dry rub with brown sugar, chili flakes, ginger, garlic powder, Sichuan peppercorns, and salt to flavor baby back or spare ribs. The ribs are arranged standing in the Instant Pot over water and cooked under high pressure for 25 to 28 minutes, then finished under a broiler. This method yields tender, aromatic ribs with Chinese barbecue sauce layered after cooking. The pressure cooking ensures the ribs are soft while the broiling step caramelizes the sauce for a flavorful glaze.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Additional Time
15 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings:
4
Calories:
477 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Chinese
Ingredients
- 1 rack (2 to 2.5 lbs / 1 kg) baby back ribs , or spare ribs
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke (Optional)
- 1/4 cup Chinese barbecue sauce or store bought char siu sauce, or your favorite BBQ sauce, homemade
Dry rub
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons chili flakes or paprika powder for a non-spicy dish, Chinese
- 4 teaspoons garlic powder
- 4 teaspoons ground ginger
- 4 teaspoons Sichuan peppercorns or ground black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 teaspoons salt
Instructions
- Combine all the dry rub ingredients in a small bowl. Stir to mix well.
- Rub the dry mix over the ribs, coating all sides.
- Place the steaming rack (the one that came with the Instant Pot) in the bottom of a 6-quart (or larger) Instant Pot. Add water and liquid smoke (if using). Place the ribs in a standing-up position onto the steaming rack, so the side is on the rack and the ribs form a circle in the pot (see the picture above in the blog post). You can cook more ribs (2 to 3 slabs) by letting them stand up in the same position.
- Cover the Instant Pot and seal the valve. For baby back ribs, cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. For spare ribs, cook on high pressure for 28 minutes.
- Turn on the broiler of your oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or tin foil).
- Once done cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then use quick release using a long spatula to carefully move the valve to the open position. Be careful of the hot steam coming out of the valve.
- Carefully transfer the ribs onto the lined baking sheet. Brush both sides with BBQ sauce. Cook under the broiler for 2 minutes. Check on the ribs. The sauce should char slightly. Broil for another 2 minutes if needed.
- Serve hot as a main dish.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
477kcal
(24%)
Carbohydrates
9g
(3%)
Protein
56.9g
(114%)
Fat
22.1g
(34%)
Saturated Fat
7.3g
(37%)
Cholesterol
191mg
(64%)
Sodium
352mg
(15%)
Potassium
839mg
(18%)
Fiber
0.6g
(2%)
Sugar
4.8g
(10%)
Calcium
66mg
(7%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 477
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 477kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 9g | 3% |
| Protein | 56.9g | 114% |
| Fat | 22.1g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 7.3g | 37% |
| Cholesterol | 191mg | 64% |
| Sodium | 352mg | 15% |
| Potassium | 839mg | 18% |
| Fiber | 0.6g | 2% |
| Sugar | 4.8g | 10% |
| Calcium | 66mg | 7% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.