Learn how to cook Finger-Licking Instant Pot Honey Garlic Ribs (Pressure Cooker Honey Garlic Ribs)! You’ll love these Sticky Chinese Honey Garlic Ribs made with few pantry ingredients & done in an hour. Tender juicy baby back ribs glazed with tasty caramelized sweet-savory sauce.
When Jacky & I dine out, we’re always excited to try new cuisines, new dishes, new flavors & ingredients. So we try our best to order dishes we haven’t tried before whenever possible.
But! Chinese Honey Garlic Ribs (Chinese: 蒜子蜜汁骨) is one of my weaknesses! When I spot it on the menu, I can hear it calling my name. The struggle is real. hehe~ 😛
So we’re excited to recreate a honey garlic ribs recipe in Instant Pot inspired by these beloved ribs of mine!
We’ve developed this finger-licking sticky honey garlic sauce over some tender juicy baby back ribs. Giving you a more satisfying mouthfeel with a bit more meat than the usual bite-size bones.
Oh~ You’ll love the beautifully caramelized sweet-savory glaze over them tender juicy flavorful ribs. SO good!!
Pro Tips for Honey Garlic Sauce Ingredients
Honey – There are numerous types, varieties, and brands of honey that vary in taste, color, texture, and health benefits. It’s important to note that different types, brands, or even different batches of honey can vary in quality, purity, and sweetness intensity. So make sure to taste & adjust the amount according to your honey.
Regular Soy Sauce – We used regular soy sauce (aka Chinese: 生抽 or Light Soy Sauce – NOT low sodium soy sauce) to develop this honey garlic ribs recipe. It’s important to note that different brands or even different bottles of the same brand of soy sauce can differ in the levels of sodium and taste. So make sure to taste & adjust the amount accordingly.
Step-by-Step Guide: Instant Pot Honey Garlic Ribs
Prepare ingredients for cooking honey garlic ribs in Instant Pot.
How to Remove the Membrane from Baby Back Ribs:
- Locate the membrane on either end of the rack (at the back of the ribs).
- Slide a butter knife in between the membrane and bones (see picture below).
- Pull the membrane and tear it off with a paper towel (for better grip).
Tools for Instant Pot Honey Garlic Ribs
Marinate Baby Back Ribs
Mix ¼ tsp (2g) fine salt, ¼ tsp (1.25ml) sesame oil, 1 tsp (3.2g) garlic powder, 1 tbsp (15ml) regular soy sauce, and 1 tbsp (15ml) Shaoxing wine in a large Ziploc bag or Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.
*Shaoxing Wine Substitute – you can substitute it with cold water.
Add in 1 rack of baby back ribs, then marinate for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.
*Pro Tip – Optimal Marinating Time (for this recipe): 1 – 2 hours
*Pro Tip: It’s easier to marinate the ribs in a Ziploc bag (picture below is borrowed from our tasty Korean Ribs Recipe). Since we’re rationing our Ziploc bags, we’ve marinated the ribs in our Instant Pot instead.
Make Honey Garlic Sauce
While the baby back ribs are marinating in the fridge, we’ll make the honey garlic sauce for ribs.
First, heat up the Instant Pot using “Saute Normal” function.
The indicator will switch to “ON”. Wait until the indicator says “HOT” (takes roughly 8 minutes).
Add 2 tbsp (30ml) peanut oil or olive oil to the Instant Pot.
Add in minced garlic, then saute for 45 seconds to 1 minute.
Then, pour in 2 tbsp (30ml) regular soy sauce, a pinch of ground black pepper, ¼ cup (63ml) honey, and ½ tsp (2.5ml) dark soy sauce (if using). Stir to reduce & thicken the sauce a bit for 2 – 3 minutes.
*Pro Tip – Soy Sauce: You may need an extra tablespoon of regular soy sauce depending on how salty is your bottle of soy sauce.
Set aside the honey garlic sauce in a container, then let it cool.
Pressure Cook Baby Back Ribs
Place 1 cup (250ml) of cold water and a trivet in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.
Place the marinated baby back ribs on the trivet.
Close lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing position.
- Pressure Cooking Method: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 16 minutes (Tender with a bit of chew) to 25 minutes (Fall off the bone) + 10 minutes Natural Release
After natural releasing pressure for 10 minutes, carefully turn the Venting Knob to Venting Position to release the remaining pressure.
Once the Floating Valve drops, open the lid carefully.
Apply Sauce & Broil in Oven/Air Fryer
First, carefully set the baby back ribs on an oven tray or chopping board, then generously apply the honey garlic sauce all over the ribs on all sides.
*Note: You can use an oven, toaster oven, Instant Pot Duo Crisp‘s “Air Fry” function or Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid for this step.
*Pro Tip: If you have a large oven, you can finish the baby back ribs in one batch. If you’re using the Duo Crisp lid or Air Fryer lid, you’ll need to cut the ribs into halves, then finish the ribs in 2 batches.
*Pro Tip: It’s best to broil the honey garlic ribs before cutting it into serving size to retain more moisture.
Option 1 – Oven/Toaster Oven
Place the Honey Garlic Ribs on an oven tray under the “Broil” function (or the highest temperature setting) for a few minutes until the honey garlic sauce is caramelized.
Option 2 – Air Fryer Lid
Place the air fryer basket with the tray on the middle rack in the Instant Pot (as shown in photo below).
Now, layer the baby back ribs on the air fryer tray in Instant Pot.
Then, place the air fryer lid on the Instant Pot Duo Crisp.
- Air Frying Method: Press the “Broil” button, set the temperature to 400°F and cooking time to 15 minutes.
*Pro Tip: It will take roughly 8 – 11 minutes + preheat time. You can open the lid to check the progress.
Check out those yummy-looking caramelized Sticky Ribs! 😀
Now, air fry the second batch of baby back ribs in Instant Pot.
Chop up the Instant Pot Honey Garlic Sticky Ribs to finger-licking serving sizes.
Serve Honey Garlic Ribs
*Pro Tip: We recommend brushing a bit more honey or maple syrup on each of the ribs before serving.
Serve these finger-licking sticky honey garlic ribs! Enjoy~ 🙂
Time for cooking Honey Garlic Ribs in Instant Pot!
Instant Pot Honey Garlic Ribs
Ingredients
- 1 rack (1.6lb) baby back ribs
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) peanut oil or olive oil
- 6 cloves (20g) garlic , minced
- ¼ cup (63ml) honey
- 2 - 3 tablespoons (30ml - 45ml) regular soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon (2.5ml) dark soy sauce (optional)
- Ground black pepper
Marinade:
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) regular soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon (2g) fine salt
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25ml) sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) Shaoxing wine (optional - can substitute with water)
- 1 teaspoon (3.28g) garlic powder (optional)
Equipment
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Instructions
- Marinate Baby Back Ribs: Mix ¼ tsp (2g) fine salt, ¼ tsp (1.25ml) sesame oil, 1 tsp (3.2g) garlic powder, 1 tbsp (15ml) regular soy sauce, and 1 tbsp (15ml) Shaoxing wine in a large Ziploc bag or Instant Pot. Add in 1 rack of baby back ribs, then marinate for at least 30 minutes in the fridge. *Optimal Marinating Time: 1 - 2 hours
- Make Honey Garlic Sauce: While the ribs are marinating, heat up the Instant Pot using “Saute Normal” function. When the indicator says “HOT” (~8 minutes), add 2 tbsp (30ml) peanut oil or olive oil to the Instant Pot. Add in minced garlic, then saute for 45 seconds to 1 minute. Pour in 2 tbsp (30ml) regular soy sauce, a pinch of ground black pepper, ¼ cup (63ml) honey, and ½ tsp (2.5ml) dark soy sauce. Stir to reduce & thicken the sauce a bit for 2 - 3 minutes. *Pro Tip: You may need an extra tbsp of regular soy sauce depending on how salty is your soy sauce. Set aside the honey garlic sauce in a container, then let it cool.
- Pressure Cook Baby Back Ribs: Place 1 cup (250ml) of cold water and trivet in Instant Pot. Place the marinated ribs on the trivet. Close lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing position. Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 16 minutes (Tender with a bit of chew) to 25 minutes (Fall off the bone) + 10 minutes Natural Release. Open the lid carefully.
- Apply Sauce & Broil in Oven/Air Fryer: Set the ribs on an oven tray, then generously apply the honey garlic sauce over the ribs on all sides. *Pro Tip: It's best to broil the ribs before cutting it into serving size.*Note: You can use an oven, Instant Pot Duo Crisp’s "Air Fry" function or Air Fryer Lid for this step. Option 1 - Oven: Place the Ribs on an oven tray under the "Broil" function (or the highest temperature setting) for a few minutes until the honey garlic sauce is caramelized.Option 2 - Air Fryer Lid: Place the air fryer basket with the tray on the middle rack in Instant Pot. Layer the ribs on the air fryer tray. Place the air fryer lid on the Instant Pot. Press the "Broil" button, set the Temperature to 400°F and Cooking Time to 15 minutes. Air fry the second batch of ribs. *Pro Tip: It takes ~8 - 11 minutes + preheat time. You can open the lid to check the progress.
- Serve: Chop up ribs to serving sizes. We recommend brushing a bit more honey or maple syrup on the ribs before serving. Serve & enjoy these finger-licking sticky honey garlic ribs~ 🙂
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