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Cooking these Korean Pork Ribs in the Instant Pot results in the most fall-off-the-bone tender pork ribs. Glazed in a gochujang (Korean chili paste) rub and Korean style BBQ sauce, these ribs are finger licking good!
These Korean Pork Ribs are totally droolworthy. Slathered in Korean chili paste and served with an amazing umami Korean barbecue sauce, these ribs are finger licking good. Literally.
AND, they are fall off the bone tender in less than an hour. Not possible you say? It IS possible!
Fork tender, fall-off-the-bone pork ribs can be made in less than an hour in your trusty Instant Pot.
Don't have an Instant Pot yet? Pop over HERE and read this review to decide if it's right for you.
I mean, with this recipe, you could have ribs on a WEEKNIGHT! How crazy is that?
You can also make these Instant Pot Pork Ribs or even these Instant Pot Short Ribs in under no time!
Check out the Korean ribs story!
Ingredients
A full list of ingredients is included in the recipe card. Most of the ingredients can be found in your local grocery store.
Once of the main ingredients for both the rub and the Korean BBQ sauce is gochujang. Gochujang is a fermented Korean chili paste. It ranges from mild to very hot spice level and adds heat and smokiness to a dish. It is INCREDIBLE! You can buy it HERE on Amazon (affiliate link).
Step By Step Instructions
First, slip a knife under the membrane on the back of the ribs and tear the membrane off. I can usually get it all in one pull, but sometimes it comes off in pieces. Check out this video on how to remove the rib membrane.
Rub the ribs with the gochujang. Slather it on good.
Pour the sake and ½ cup of water in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Place the ribs in the Instant Pot on high pressure for 27 minutes.
How to Make Spicy Korean BBQ Sauce
To make the BBQ sauce, combine all sauce ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn down heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes, until sauce is reduced and thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.
When the ribs are done, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Then use the quick release to release any remaining pressure.
Place the ribs on a parchment paper lined baking sheet for easy cleanup (you see I did not do this and regretted it). Brush the ribs with the Korean BBQ sauce.
Place the ribs under the broiler for about 5-10 minutes, until it starts to sizzle and caramelize. Watch them carefully as they can burn quickly.
Once caramelized, remove from the oven and let them rest for 5-10 minutes. Serve the ribs with additional BBQ sauce.
What to Serve with Korean Ribs
- I just love these with the coconut sticky rice I made in this shrimp skewer recipe - or this Korean purple rice;
- This Kimchi Fried Rice or even basic Chinese Fried Rice would also be incredible;
- These Korean Cauliflower Wings or Korean Egg Rolls would also go great;
- Finish up your meal with a sweet treat like these Hotteok (Sweet Korean Pancakes).
Expert Tips
- You can skip the broiling, but I highly recommend it to get that caramelization on the outside.
- You can also place these ribs on the grill to caramelize them. Just be careful as they could fall apart on the grill.
- Letting the pressure release naturally helps to keep the meat tender.
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Did you make these Korean ribs? Leave me a comment below and let me know how they turned out!
Instant Pot Korean Pork Ribs
Ingredients
- 1 rack baby back ribs
- 3 tablespoons gochujang
- ¼ cup sake
Korean BBQ Sauce:
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
Instructions
- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs by sliding the knife underneath and slowly pulling it off. Use a paper towel to get a good grip and slowly pull the membrane off.
- Rub the ribs with the gochujang, covering all sides.
- Pour the sake and ½ cup of water in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Place the ribs in the Instant Pot on high pressure for 27 minutes.
- When the ribs are done, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Then use the quick release to release any remaining pressure.
- Place your ribs on a parchment paper (or foil) lined baking sheet and brush the sauce on both sides.
- Place the ribs under the broiler for about 5-10 minutes, until it starts to sizzle and caramelize. Watch them carefully as they can burn quickly.
- Slice, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, and serve.
Korean BBQ Sauce:
- Mix all ingredients together in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until reduced and thickened.
Expert Tips:
- You can skip the broiling, but I highly recommend it to get that caramelization on the outside.
- You can also place these ribs on the grill to caramelize them. Just be careful as they could fall apart on the grill.
- Letting the pressure release naturally helps to keep the meat tender.
Nutrition
Mosmom
I've made these many times since getting my instant pot. So easy but we put them on the grill and brush the sauce on them. My go to for company!
Danielle
I'm so glad you like them!
Stephanie
Thank you for sharing your recipe. These are the best ribs I've ever had, and I've shared this recipe many times since I started making them this year. I even had a friend request these for a birthday meal. It's our NYE meal this year. We chose it over fancy take out 🙂 Cheers!
Danielle
You're welcome Stephanie! I am so glad you liked it, that makes my day. Thank you for sharing it with others!
Hope Shultis
Can't I put all ingredients together and cook with ribs in pot?
Danielle
If you're talking about the bbq sauce, you could, ti just may not get the chance to caramelize if it is cooked only in the Instant Pot. The broiling allows it to caramelize on the outside.
Lisa
These were super easy and once you have the ingredients, you can make them again only buying the ribs. So the cost of all these things evens out. Great recipe and my Instapot makes them even easier! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Danielle
You're welcome!
Phyllis
These were amazing! Thank You!
Danielle
You're welcome Phyllis - glad you enjoyed them!
Lisa
I made these and they were awesome! Thanks for sharing the recipe! My Instant Pot is brand new and I’m a nervous wreck about using it. I needed this to turn out great and it did! I wish I could post a picture. They looked SO good.
Danielle
That's great to hear Lisa! I'm so glad you liked them. There are so many great instant pot recipes out there - you're going to have so much fun with it 🙂
Frank
How spicy is the gochujang sauce? I have young kids.
Danielle
It depends on the kind that you buy, but I have found even the milder versions have a good amount of heat. For this recipe, you could skip the gochujang and just serve with the korean bbq sauce if you need to cut out the spice. It's still tasty like that 🙂
Lisa
My pork ribs are not fully defrosted yet (maybe not even half defrosted). Would it still be ok to go ahead and cook this? Thanks!!!!
Danielle
Sure you can totally cook them if they're frozen. I've never done it from partially frozen, but you could probably add about 5-7 minutes to the cook time (depending on how frozen) and you'd be fine. Good luck!
Selina
Just made the ribs and they were delicious. I received an 8qt IP for Mother’s Day and the ribs were the first thing I made in it - I stuffed three racks in the IP - was a tight fit, and had no problems. I doubled the recipe even though I used three racks and still had sauce for dipping. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Danielle
I'm so glad you liked it Selina! I'm impressed you stuffed 3 racks of ribs in there!
Healthy World Cuisine
Oh my word these are tender and finger licking good! Need to get an instant pot just to try your recipe!
Danielle
Thanks! The Instant Pot is just so awesome! A regular pressure cooker would work the same.
Shinta Simon
I have pinned away, and I see myself making this in my IP very soon! Somehow I've never made ribs in the IP before, and this is now reason enough to change that. That sauce looks glorious!
Danielle
Thanks Shinta! I hope you like it if you try it 🙂
Susie
WHAT in the heavens!!!??? I am making this asap!! I love baby back ribs AND gochujang (spelling?) sauce. Amazing recipe.
I love my Instant Pot too! I haven't tried ribs in it...yet
Danielle
I hope you do make this Susie! They were so tasty (and easy). I had a few rib disasters in the Instant Pot, but finally got the recipe right.
Dana
Look how perfect, sticky, and finger-lickin' good this is!! Korean BBQ sauce is a win at all times, but THIS. This. Why did I go pescetarian again? Lol…
Also: extra points for it being in the Instant Pot.
Danielle
LOL! Thanks Dana! Once I got the Instant Pot cooking down, I was so excited to make ribs!
Sues
These are gorgeous! I've made baby back ribs in my Instant Pot before and love doing them that way... Now I'm excited for Korean ribs!
Danielle
Thanks so much! The Instant Pot is totally awesome for ribs 🙂
Julia
I love cooking in my IP so definitely will be trying this recipe! Now can I just omit the mirin or substitute it with something else?
Danielle
You could substitute white or sake. However, if you totally left the mirin out, you probably wouldn't notice much of a difference. I hope you enjoy it!