Easy Instant Pot Asian Sticky Ribs

Making melt-in-your-mouth tender baby back ribs is so easy in the instant pot. Once you’re done pressure cooking simply finish in the oven or grill with a delicious Asian-flavored glaze resulting in sticky-fall-of-the-bone delicious ribs! This Easy Instant Pot Asian Ribs is one recipe that you’d make over and over again!

Whenever we have people over at our house, I usually cook an Asian-themed menu. That way, I am in my element, familiar with it, and I have a lesser chance of messing things up! Besides, I do love cooking the food I grew up with. I feel like I can do it with love that way. Ha ha. Is that too dramatic?

You can be certain some form of Asian-style ribs would be included in the dinner menu. Our family loves ribs that we have it almost on a regular basis either when I cook it or when we simply order out!

I have often made ribs in the slow cooker. We love that version and everyone seems to agree as it’s one of my most popular recipes on the blog. 

Intrigued? You can check out this Asian ribs recipe and judge for yourself. I am certain you’d love it!

However, when time is short and I don’t want to wait 6-7 hours, this Easy Instant Pot Asian Sticky Ribs is our perfect dinner solution.

I’ve made this a few times already because I have wanted to perfect the glaze for it! I wanted it to have that outstanding and unforgettable flavor that you’d long for it immediately after finishing off a rack or two!

IMHO (in my humble [or perhaps not too humble] opinion), I think I’ve nailed the flavor that I love!

I used some gochujang paste – that delicious red chili paste from Korea that I cannot live without! – for some spicy kick! Just a little heat, not too much or highly overwhelming but just enough to give these ribs – a finger-lickin’ deliciousness! So don’t omit it if possible.

It’s so popular nowadays that you may just be able to find it in the Asian section of your grocery and certainly at any Asian store.

Well, I hope I have whet your appetite enough that you’d be trying this soon!

Have no fear it’s so easy to make! Enjoy.

Easy Instant Pot Asian Sticky Ribs

Manila Spoon
Making melt-in-your-mouth tender baby back ribs is so easy in the instant pot. Once you're done pressure cooking simply finish in the oven or grill with a delicious Asian-flavored glaze! So tasty with fall-of-the-bone ribs that you'd make over and over again!
4.82 from 22 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Course Dinner, Main
Cuisine Asian Cuisine, Korean
Servings 4
Calories 670 kcal

Ingredients
 

For the Ribs

  • 3 pound rack of baby back ribs, cut in half or divided into 3 parts to fit the instant pot
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup vinegar
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds, for garnish
  • 2 tbsp sliced green onions, for garnish

For the Asian Sticky Glaze

  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger

Instructions
 

For the Baby Back Ribs

  • Prepare the meat by removing the membrane from the back of ribs. Liberally season with salt and pepper on both sides of the ribs.
  • Pour the water and vinegar into the Instant Pot’s inner pot. Place the rack inside the pot and position the ribs like a teepee on top of it.
  • Secure the lid, ensuring the valve is turned to the sealing position. Use manual setting and adjust the pressure to high then set the timer for 30 minutes. Cook.
  • Once the timer is over, allow for natural release for about 15 minutes. In the meantime, turn on the oven and preheat to 400 F. You may use the grill instead of the oven, if you wish.
  • Turn the valve to the venting position to release the pressure. When all the pressure is released, carefully remove the lid.
  • Using tongs, remove the ribs and place them, meaty side up, on a rack sitting on a rimmed baking sheet. Slather the sauce/glaze on the ribs leaving a few tablespoon to use for brushing/glazing the meat later. Roast in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. I prefer to simply roast the ribs further in the oven for 10 minutes rather than a quicker broil because the ribs come out better and the sugar on the glaze doesn’t burn.
  • Remove the ribs from the oven, brush with the remaining glaze. Sprinkle all over with the sesame seeds and green onions. Serve immediately.

For the Asian Sticky Glaze

  • As the oven is preheating make the glaze or sticky sauce. In a small saucepan, combine all the sauce ingredients. Whisk over medium heat and bring to a boil. Adjust heat to low and simmer, stirring, occasionally until the sauce begins to thicken. Set aside.

Notes

TIPS & TRICKS
The ribs can go into the Instant Pot with or without the steam rack. These will work either way.
For me, 2 tablespoons of gochujang equal the perfect amount of heat.  If you’re not sure you want that much heat, begin with 1 tablespoon first, taste the glaze after heating it up then adjust the amount if desired. I personally think that after the glaze is added to the meat then heated in the oven, it doesn’t come out as too strong. Follow your tastebuds on this.
I prefer to simply roast the ribs further in the oven for 10 minutes rather than a quicker broil because the ribs come out better and the sugar on the glaze doesn’t burn. Feel free to use the oven broiler or grill, if you prefer that.

Nutrition

Calories: 670kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 43gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 148mgSodium: 1145mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 1gSugar: 40gVitamin A: 170IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 122mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Easy Instant Pot Asian Sticky Ribs, Easy Instant Pot Korean Sticky Ribs, how to make asian sticky sauce or glaze, korean sticky ribs, Korean style asian ribs recipe, pressure cooker asian ribs, sticky asian glaze
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Last updated on February 17th, 2024 at 07:54 pm

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10 Comments

  1. Natalie
    September 13, 2021 / 9:10 am

    5 stars
    These ribs look amazing. Sticky and flavorful. Perfectly prepared. Can’t wait to make this.

  2. Gloria
    September 13, 2021 / 9:27 am

    5 stars
    These sound finger-licking good. What a treat this would be for dinner on the weekend. My family will love it.

  3. Dana
    September 13, 2021 / 2:31 pm

    5 stars
    Ribs in the Instant Pot is the only way I make them these days and I really enjoyed this glaze!

  4. Amanda Dixon
    September 13, 2021 / 5:59 pm

    5 stars
    These ribs were fabulous! They came out so tender, and the Instant Pot made the whole process super convenient. I’m already looking forward to making them again!

  5. Byron Thomas
    September 14, 2021 / 7:30 am

    5 stars
    I have nothing to say but yum!!! These ribs are perfection!

  6. Julie
    September 14, 2021 / 10:41 am

    5 stars
    My family loves Asian flavored ribs and I was looking for a great way to make them at home. This came together perfectly and tasted so delish. Will make it again soon!

  7. Annette
    October 22, 2023 / 10:36 am

    5 stars
    These ribs are always a hit no matter who I cook them for. I’ve cooked them for my daughters friends, my family… Everybody loves them and ask for them all the time.

    • abigail
      Author
      October 23, 2023 / 9:19 am

      Yay!!! So glad to know this and I very much appreciate you letting us know. It’s so delicious indeed! Thank you!

  8. Heather M
    January 21, 2024 / 7:33 pm

    I used the sticky glaze from this recipe. AMAZING! Only change was I used dark soy because I was out of regular. It made a wonderful sweet spicy and sticky ending for my ribs. Once done in insta pot, popped in oven with the sauce for about 10 min. Yum!

    • abigail
      Author
      January 22, 2024 / 3:15 am

      Yay! So glad you enjoyed this! I love it too because it’s so tasty!

4.82 from 22 votes (15 ratings without comment)

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