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Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs - Instant Pot version

a quick and delicious Riblets cooked in an Instant Pot
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
natural release 18 minutes
Total Time 41 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian, Chinese
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • 1 Instant Pot or pressure cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 2.5 lbs pork riblets/cross-cut baby back ribs cut into individual riblets
  • 6 Tbsp granulated white sugar
  • 3 Tbsp Rice Vinegar
  • 3 Tbsp Black Vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp Shaoxing Wine
  • 3 Tbsp light Soy Sauce
  • 2 Tbsp dark Soy Sauce
  • 1/3 cup Orange Juice
  • 2 inch fresh ginger peeled and sliced
  • 4 green onion white part only
  • 1 Tbsp roasted sesame seeds for garnish
  • 2 Green onion, sliced green parts only, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Cut the rib strips into individual riblets if not already done (centered between each bone)
  • Bring a pot of salted water to boil, add riblets and cook for 5 minutes then drain and rinse.
  • While the ribs are boiling, prepare the sauce
  • Add the black vinegar, rice vinegar, shaoxing wine, light Soy Sauce, Dark Soy Sauce and orange juice to a small bowl and set aside.
  • Turn the Instant pot on to sauté and when hot add the 6 Tbsp of white sugar evenly to the bottom and let it melt until it turns the color of maple syrup (dark golden brown), but don't let it scorch or burn. Don't touch it, just let it go.
  • Once the sugar has reached the desired color, add the ribs, sauce, green onions (white part only) and ginger slices to the Instant pot and put the lid on and lock, making sure the vent is set to seal (not vent) and change the cook setting to pressure cook and set for 8 minutes. Once the timer has gone, let the pot natural release for 18 minutes, then open the vent to release the remaining pressure.
  • Open the lid and set aside, remove ginger slices and green onions (discard).
  • Turn the Instant Pot back to the sauté function and reduce the sauce. It will boil, stir occasionally until the sauce is glossy and thick and coats the riblets. Do not let it completely reduce or scorch. This can take up to 15 minutes so don't worry if it seems to be taking some time to thicken, it will get there. There will be some sauce remaining, that's good!
  • Serve the ribs plain or over rice and drizzle with the remaining sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions (green parts only) and Enjoy!

Notes

These can be served as a supper or as an appetizer without the rice.    
When making as a meal, I serve with plain white jasmine rice and steamed veggies such as broccoli.  
Easily double this recipe if making as an appetizer for a crowd,  they will disappear very quickly.
Keyword appetizer, Pork, Riblets, special occassion, supper, Sweet and Sour, weeknight