Want the low down for fall off the bone baby back ribs in under an hour?! If you love Korean Marinated Flanken Short Ribs, you'll love these gochujang ribs, which are SO incredibly tender and easy to make. So, get your stretchy pants ready because finger-licking good ribs are on the way!
The secret to this recipe is leveraging an Instant Pot to do all the hard work. I swear, the Instant Pot is one of the most magical kitchen appliances!
This Instant Pot baby back ribs recipe is absolutely fool-proof and perfect for anyone who’s impatient for juicy tender ribs (like me haha).
Removing the Membrane for the Most Tender Gochujang Ribs
If you want the most tender ribs, the membrane needs to go! Baby back ribs have a thin shiny membrane on the backside of the ribs that becomes tough and chewy when it’s cooked.
Luckily, removing it is super easy! All you need to do is take the back of a knife, slip it under the membrane, then use a paper towel to grip it and peel it off. Voila! One step closer to the most tender ribs!
Gochujang Barbeque Sauce in Minutes
This gochujang barbeque sauce has a balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy. All the classic qualities of a barbeque sauce, but with a Korean twist! Best of all, you’ll be able to create such a flavorful sauce in only minutes!
To add even more flavor, the ribs are broiled in the oven for just a few minutes and some amazing things start to happen. The sugars from the gochujang begin to bubble and caramelize, adding a layer of smokiness to these gochujang ribs.
And when I say they're fall off the bone, I mean it! When I picked up these ribs to photograph, some pieces literally had meat falling off. Don't believe me? Check it out below!
IT’S. SO. GOOD. *chef’s kiss*
Try out this super easy Instant Pot baby back ribs recipe and let me know what side you ate it with!
Let's Get Cooking!
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Gochujang Ribs
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 ½ - 3 pounds baby back ribs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup water
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
Gochujang BBQ Sauce
- ½ cup gochujang
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 1 ½ tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- ½ cup water
- 2 shallots finely diced
- 7 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger grated
Instructions
Cook Ribs
- Place baby back ribs on a large tray or cutting board. Remove the membrane (the silver or white shiny lining on the back of the ribs). You can do this by running a butter knife under the membrane, then using a paper towel to grip it and pull it off.
- Pat the ribs dry and season both sides with salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- In the Instant Pot, pour water and apple cider vinegar. Place the Instant Pot rack inside, then wrap the ribs standing along the side of the Instant Pot. Seal the lid, set it to Pressure Cook mode, and cook for 40 minutes.
Cook Sauce
- Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. In a bowl, combine all the gochujang bbq ingredients except the shallots, garlic, and ginger.
- Heat a medium-sized pot on medium heat with about a tablespoon of oil. Add in shallots, garlic, and ginger, then cook for a few seconds until fragrant.
- Add in the rest of the barbeque sauce mixture and stir until smooth. Simmer for about 5 minutes, then turn off the heat and cover with a lid to prevent it from continuing to thicken. If your sauce thickens too much, add a tablespoon of water at a time to thin it out.
Caramelize Ribs
- Once the ribs are done, carefully release the Instant Pot’s pressure valve. Using tongs, transfer the ribs to a parchment-lined tray and smother with the gojuchang barbeque sauce.
- Place in the oven with the broiler on, or if your oven doesn’t have the broiler option, set the temperature to 500° degrees. Cook until the sauce is bubbling and caramelized. Remove from oven and let it cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Baby Back Ribs: Try to find ribs with an even thickness throughout so they finish cooking at the same time. Ideally, it would also have lots of marbling for even more tender ribs.
- Gochujang: This is a Korean chili paste that's sweet, savory, and sometimes spicy. You can get gochujang at different levels of spice and has become so popular, it's available in the Asian section of some local grocery stores. Otherwise, you can easily find it at local Asian and Korean markets.
- Fish Sauce: This adds incredible depth and salty flavor! Don't worry, it's not fishy when combined with the other ingredients. Fish sauce can be easily found at local Asian markets.
Nutrition
Exact calculations may vary. For the most accurate nutritional information, use your preferred nutrition calculator, actual ingredients, and quantities used for the recipe. Please consult with your physician or registered dietitian if more precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
HEY, I'M MIKHA!
...A fellow food lover who believes anyone can whip up a delicious meal - no matter your skill level! These quick & easy Asian recipes will help you transform simple ingredients into a drool-worthy meal for you & the people you love most - without spending all day in the kitchen.
Now come on - Grab a seat & let's eat!
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