Learn how to cook Tender Instant Pot Rib Tips (Chinese: 柱候豬軟骨) with minimal prep using simple Chinese pantry ingredients. These flavorful Chinese rib tips are delicious meaty bites that are so comforting to eat. Great family-friendly weeknight recipe!
If you bought Spare Ribs to make our Instant Pot Spare Ribs Recipe and trimmed off the rib tips, this recipe is for you!
What are Rib Tips?
Rib Tips (aka Spare Rib Tips, Pork Rib Tips, or Chinese: 豬軟骨) is the short section of Pork Spare Ribs. They’re the meaty strip of rib ends that contain cartilage but no bones.
They’re often trimmed off from spare ribs when people want a more squared-off or rectangular cut of ribs (aka St. Louis-cut).
These bite-size meat are sometimes considered butcher “scraps”, so they’re usually very inexpensive. However, they’re fatty, meaty, flavorful & easy to cook!
Rib Tips are a common cut for making yummy dishes like Spare Ribs with Black Bean Sauce or Sweet & Sour Ribs.
For this Instant Pot Rib Tips Recipe, we’re going for a homey & simple yet flavorful dish the whole family will enjoy.
Step by Step Guide: Instant Pot Rib Tips
Prepare ingredients for cooking Rib Tips in Instant Pot:
Cut the spare rib tips into 2 inches pieces.
Tools for Instant Pot Rib Tips
Brown Rib Tips in Instant Pot
First, press “Saute” button to “Sauté More” function to heat up Instant Pot. The indicator will switch to “ON”.
Wait until the indicator says “HOT” (takes roughly 8 minutes).
*Pro Tip: Make sure the Instant Pot is as hot as it can be to induce a Maillard reaction.
Pat dry the pork rib tips with a paper towel, then season one side of the rib tips very lightly with kosher salt.
Add 1 tbsp (15g) grapeseed or olive oil in Instant Pot.
Place the pork rib tips in Instant Pot (seasoned side face down), then brown for 3 minutes.
Then, flip the rib tips & brown this side for another 2 minutes.
Sauté Garlic, Ginger, and Paste
Add crushed garlic cloves, diced shallot (optional), sliced ginger, and 3 tbsp (45g) chu hou paste in Instant Pot, then saute for 3 minutes.
Deglaze Instant Pot
Now, pour 2 tbsp (30ml) Shaoxing wine in Instant Pot, then deglaze by scrubbing all the flavorful brown bits off the bottom of the pot (as shown in the photo below).
Pressure Cook Rib Tips
Add 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock, 1 tbsp (15ml) regular soy sauce, 5g rock sugar, and 1 tsp (5ml) sesame oil to the Instant Pot, then give it a quick mix.
Then, layer the carrot chunks on top. No need to mix (as shown in the photo below)!
With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position. Pressure cook using the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” button:
Pressure Cooking Methods (choose 1 based on your preferences):
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High Pressure for 18 minutes + 10 minutes Natural Release – Meat will be tender, but the cartilage will have a slight chew. OR
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High Pressure for 30 minutes + 10 minutes Natural Release. – Best to use well-marbled fatty rib tips. The cartilage will be softened.
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After 10 minutes, release the remaining pressure by turning Venting Knob to Venting Position.
When Floating Valve drops, open the lid carefully.
Thicken & Season
Thicken Chu Hou Sauce: mix 2 tbsp (30g) cornstarch and 3 tbsp (45ml) cold water together, then stir the cornstarch mixture into the sauce one third at a time until desired thickness.
Then, taste and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt.
*Pro Tip: For reference, we added roughly 1 -2 pinch of salt for this rib tips recipe.
Serve Instant Pot Rib Tips
Optional: Garnish the Instant Pot Rib tips with green onions.
Serve & enjoy this Chinese rib tips with rice or your favorite side dishes!
Time to make Chinese Rib Tips in Instant Pot!
Instant Pot Rib Tips
Ingredients
- 1.5 pound (563g) pork rib tips, brisket bones
- 1 (391g) large carrot
- 3 tablespoons (45g) chu hou sauce (Chinese: 柱候醬)
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) regular soy sauce
- 5 (16g) garlic cloves , crushed
- 1 (50g) shallot (optional) , roughly diced
- 1 tablespoon (12g) ginger , thinly sliced pieces
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) shaoxing wine
- 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock or water
- 1 teaspoon (5g) rock sugar or white sugar
- Garnish with finely sliced green onions
Equipment
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Instructions
- Brown Rib Tips in Instant Pot: Press “Saute” button to “Sauté More” function to heat up Instant Pot. Wait until the indicator says “HOT” (~8 mins). Pat dry the rib tips with a paper towel, then season one side of the rib tips very lightly with kosher salt. Add 1 tbsp (15g) grapeseed or olive oil in Instant Pot. Place the rib tips in Instant Pot (seasoned side face down), then brown for 3 minutes. Flip & brown the other side for another 2 minutes.
- Sauté Garlic, Ginger, and Paste: Add crushed garlic, diced shallot (optional), sliced ginger, and 3 tbsp (45g) chu hou paste in Instant Pot, then saute for 3 minutes.
- Deglaze Instant Pot: Pour 2 tbsp (30ml) Shaoxing wine in Instant Pot, then deglaze by scrubbing all the flavorful brown bits off the bottom of the pot.
- Pressure Cook Rib Tips: Add 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock, 1 tbsp (15ml) regular soy sauce, 5g rock sugar, and 1 tsp (5ml) sesame oil to the Instant Pot, then give it a quick mix. Layer carrot chunks on top (no need to mix). With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position. Pressure cook at:a) High Pressure for 18 minutes + 10 minutes Natural Release - Meat will be tender, but the cartilage will have a slight chew. b) High Pressure for 30 minutes + 10 minutes Natural Release. - Best to use well-marbled fatty rib tips, and the cartilage will be softened. After 10 minutes, release remaining pressure, then open the lid carefully.
- Thicken & Season: Mix 2 tbsp (30g) cornstarch and 3 tbsp (45ml) cold water together, then stir cornstarch mixture into the sauce one third at a time until desired thickness. Taste and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt. *Pro Tip: For reference, we added roughly 1 -2 pinches of salt.
- Serve: Garnish rib tips with green onions (optional). Serve & enjoy with rice or your favorite side dishes!~
Notes
Nutrition
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