Instant Pot Pork Riblets – Easy Kitchen Guide

By Lori Walker, MS, RD | Published on June 11, 2023 | Last Updated on November 11, 2023

If you are new to learning about the popular dish, Pot pork riblets, then you have come to the right place. Pot pork riblets are simple yet incredibly flavorful ribs that can be prepared in as little as an hour.

The combination of smoky spices and sweet barbecue sauce creates a masterful flavor profile that is sure to please everyone at your next gathering. This Instant Pot pork riblet recipe is a great way to make ribs in a fraction of the time and energy needed for traditional methods.

In this article, we will go in-depth into the recipe card for Instant Pot pork riblets, discuss some helpful cooking tips, and answer some frequently asked questions so you can make your own pot of perfect ribs.

What Is Instant Pot pork riblets?

Instant Pot pork riblets are a delicious dish that is prepared with meaty baby pork back ribs and a flavorful dry rub. The ribs are cooked in an Instant Pot for an incredibly tender texture and then brushed with homemade barbecue sauce for more flavor. 

It consists of other ingredients like apple cider vinegar, liquid smoke, brown sugar, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and more. The process of making Pot pork riblets is surprisingly simple, but the end result will be tender and juicy with a wonderful combination of smoky and sweet flavors.

Where Did I First Try Instant Pot pork riblets?

I first had the pleasure of trying Instant Pot pork riblets at my local barbecue restaurant. The ribs were cooked to perfection, and the combination of spices and sauces was simply heavenly.

The ribs were tender and juicy, with a smoky flavor that was balanced out by the sweetness of the homemade barbecue sauce.

It was an experience I won’t soon forget, and since then I have been wanting to recreate the same flavors in my own kitchen. Doing so is easier than ever with this Instant Pot pork riblets recipe.

However, this dish has a long history, and it has been enjoyed by many cultures around the world for centuries. Besides, the combination of tender meat and smoky spices has been a favorite for many generations.

When you will have this food, you will get the flavor of the food that comes from different cultures. Also, you will get to enjoy the food that has been enjoyed for many generations. Indeed, this is a food that has been passed down from one generation to the other.

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Ingredients:

• Pork Riblets: This is the star ingredient of the dish, providing a tender and succulent meat that will absorb all the flavors from the braising liquid.
• Rock Sugar: A subtle sweetener that balances out the savory and umami notes in the dish.
• Oil: The base of the braising liquid, oil also helps to add depth of flavor to the dish.
• Rice Cooking Wine: Adds a delightful depth of flavor and subtle sweetness to the pork riblets.
• This brings Brings an added level of complexity with its unique texture and savory depth, elevating the overall umami quotient of the dish.
• Soy Sauce: Contributes a savory and salty umami kick to the dish, enhancing its rich and robust flavor profile.
• Star Anise: Imparts a warm and licorice-like flavor to the pork riblets, adding a unique and aromatic twist to the overall taste experience.
• Dry Bay Leaves: Add an earthy and herbal undertone to the braising liquid, enhancing its aroma and providing a fragrant quality to the dish.

Directions

Cooking Method by using instant pot

Step 1: Preparing and Browning the Pork Riblets in the Instant Pot

1. Start by rinsing and patting dry 2 lbs of pork riblets using a paper towel.
2. Turn on your instant pot and select “Saute” mode.
3. Add ½ cup of oil to the inner pot and wait for it to heat up.
4. Once heated, carefully add the pork riblets and cook until evenly browned on all sides.
5. This step helps to seal in the juices of the meat and enhance its flavor during the braising process.

Step 2: Creating a Flavorful Braising Liquid

1. Remove the pork riblets from the instant pot and set them aside.
2. In the same pot, add 4 pieces of rock sugar and let it caramelize until a deep golden brown color is achieved.
3. Pour in ½ cup of rice cooking wine, 4 tbsp of soy sauce, 4 tbsp of oyster sauce, and add in 6 pieces each of dry bay leaves and star anise.
4. Stir to combine all the ingredients and bring the braising liquid to a simmer.
5. The combination of these flavors will create a rich, savory and slightly sweet base for your pork riblets to braise in.

Step 3: Braising the Pork Riblets to Perfection

1. Return the pork riblets to the instant pot, making sure they are submerged in the braising liquid.
2. Close the lid and make sure the valve is set to “Sealing” mode.
3. Select “Manual” mode and adjust the cooking time to 30 minutes on high pressure.
4. Once done, let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure.
5. This gentle and slow cooking process will result in tender and juicy pork riblets that easily fall off the bone.

Step 4: Serving and Enjoying Your Delicious Pork Riblets

1. Once cooked, carefully remove the pork riblets from the instant pot using tongs and place them on a serving dish.
2. Strain the braising liquid using a fine-mesh strainer to remove any solids.
3. Drizzle the strained braising liquid over the pork riblets for an extra burst of flavor.
4. Serve hot with your favorite side dishes, such as steamed rice, vegetables, or noodles.

Cook on the stove top

Step 1: Preparing the Pork Riblets

1. Rinse and pat dry the pork riblets using a paper towel.
2. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
3. Add the pork riblets to the hot oil and cook until browned on all sides.

Step 2: Creating the Braising Liquid

1. Remove the pork riblets from the skillet and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, add the rock sugar and let it caramelize until golden brown.
3. Pour in the rice cooking wine, soy sauce, oyster sauce, dry bay leaves, and star anise.
4. Stir to combine all ingredients and bring the braising liquid to a simmer.

Step 3: Braising the Pork Riblets

1. Return the pork riblets to the skillet, making sure they are submerged in the braising liquid.
2. Cover with a lid and let it cook on low heat for 35-40 minutes.
3. Check periodically and add more water if needed to prevent burning or sticking.
4. The pork riblets should be tender and easily fall off the bone when done.

Step 4: Serving

1. Once cooked, remove the pork riblets from the skillet and place them on a serving dish.
2. Strain the braising liquid using a fine-mesh strainer to remove any solids.
3. Drizzle the strained braising liquid over the pork riblets.
4. Serve hot with your favorite side dishes, such as steamed rice, vegetables, or noodles.

Cooking Tips

• Use high-quality ingredients for the best results.

• You can also use a slow cooker to cook the ribs if you don’t have an Instant Pot. Be sure to add a cup of water and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours, or until the ribs are tender.

• Make sure to let the ribs rest for a few minutes before serving so that the juices have time to redistribute.

• To further enhance the flavor, you can also brush on some additional barbecue sauce just before serving.

• If you like spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the dry rub.

What Ingredients Can I Replace or Substitute While Making It?

• If you don’t have brown sugar, you can substitute it with honey or maple syrup.

• If you don’t have onion powder, you can use fresh onions instead.

• If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, any type of vinegar will work as a substitute.

• If you don’t have liquid smoke, you can use smoked paprika instead.

• If you don’t have paprika, chili powder or oregano will work as substitutes.

Nutrition Information

SERVING: 1(of 4)CALORIES: 650kcal CARBOHYDRATES: 16g PROTEIN: 28g FAT: 24g SATURATED FAT: 8g POLYUNSATURATED FAT: 4g MONOUNSATURATED FAT: 10g TRANS FAT: 0.2g CHOLESTEROL: 98mg POTASSIUM: 481mg FIBER: 1g SUGAR: 12g VITAMIN A: 1136IU VITAMIN C: 0.3mg CALCIUM: 68mg IRON: 2mg

How to Store Leftover Instant Pot pork riblets?

Leftover instant Pot pork riblets can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. Make sure to transfer them to a sealed container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil before storing them. 

To reheat, place the ribs on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F until they are hot and slightly crisp.

For longer-term storage, you can also freeze the ribs for up to 3 months. 

FAQs

Wrapping Up

So, do you think you can make this dish at home? It is very easy and quick to make Instant Pot Ribs. All you need is an Instant Pot, some dry rub mix, and a few other ingredients like barbecue sauce and apple cider vinegar. These ribs are sure to be a hit in your home!

So, what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try and let us know how it turned out! Also, share this recipe with your family and friends if you think they would like it.

Thank you for your time.

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