Pork riblets are a delicious, inexpensive cut of meat perfect for cooking in an instant pot. Also known as “rib tips”, riblets are small, meaty ribs cut from the lower end of a full pork spare rib. They contain a good amount of bone and fat, which makes them flavorful and juicy when cooked.
Riblets are an ideal choice for the instant pot because the combination of pressure cooking and moist heat helps break down the collagen and connective tissue, resulting in fall-off-the-bone tender meat in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional braising methods. With just a few simple steps, you can have restaurant-quality riblets ready in about 30 minutes with an instant pot.
Benefits of Cooking Riblets in an Instant Pot
There are several advantages to using an instant pot for riblets rather than oven-roasting or slow cooking them:
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Speed – Pressure cooking riblets for just 25-30 minutes yields the same melt-in-your-mouth texture as braising for hours.
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Convenience – With an instant pot, you can cook the riblets from start to finish with minimal hands-on time. No need for lengthy monitoring.
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Flavor – The instant pot seals in moisture and volatile aromatics. Riblets cook in their own juices, developing rich flavor.
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Nutrition – Pressure cooking results in less nutrient loss compared to other moist-heat methods. Riblets retain more vitamins and minerals.
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Versatility – Cook plain or seasoned riblets to use in soups, sandwiches, tacos, noodles dishes, etc.
Tips for Cooking Riblets in an Instant Pot
Follow these tips for perfect instant pot riblets every time
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Choose meaty riblets – Look for ribs with a decent amount of meat on them and trim off any large excess fat before cooking.
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Cut riblets to size – For more even cooking, cut ribs into 2-3 inch pieces. Size them to fit in a single layer in your instant pot.
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Brown first – Browning the ribs on the sauté function first adds deeper flavor.
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Use a trivet or steamer basket – This elevates the ribs out of the cooking liquid for more even cooking.
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Add liquid – The pot should have at least 1 cup broth, water, or other liquid. This helps create steam and prevents burning.
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Season simply – A simple dry rub lets the pork flavor shine. Avoid sugary sauces that can burn.
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QR/NR pressure release – For fall-off-the-bone ribs, use the quick or natural pressure release method. Avoid manual release.
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Finish with sauce – Glaze or sauce the cooked riblets after pressure cooking for maximum stickiness.
Step-by-Step Instant Pot Riblets Recipe
This straightforward recipe will give you fork-tender riblets infused with smoky barbecue flavor in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 2-3 pounds pork riblets (bone-in rib tips), cut into 2-3 inch pieces
- 1⁄2 cup chicken broth or water
- 1-2 tablespoons liquid smoke
- 1-2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
- Barbecue sauce, for serving
Instructions:
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Pat riblet pieces dry with paper towels and trim off any large excess fat. Sprinkle all over with salt.
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In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and black pepper. Sprinkle the spice rub evenly over both sides of the riblets.
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Pour the chicken broth and liquid smoke into the instant pot. Place a trivet or steamer basket in the bottom. Arrange the riblet pieces in a single layer on top.
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Secure the lid and set the pressure release valve to ‘sealing’. Select the Manual/Pressure Cook setting at high pressure and cook for 25 minutes.
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When cooking is complete, use the quick or natural pressure release method according to your model’s instructions. Carefully remove the lid.
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Using tongs, transfer the riblets to a platter or pan. Coat the riblets with your favorite barbecue sauce.
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Set the pot to Saute. Let the sauce reduce for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
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Serve the sauced riblets while hot, with extra barbecue sauce on the side. Enjoy!
The riblets will be fall-off-the-bone tender with a slight char from browning and a sweet and smoky barbecue flavor. The meat should be juicy and nicely glazed with sauce.
Recipe Variations
- Use a dry rub only, without sauce
- Substitute beef broth for some of the chicken broth
- Add spices like chili flakes, cumin, paprika, thyme, or rosemary
- Toss cooked riblets in Buffalo, teriyaki, or sweet & sour sauce
- Shred riblets and use for tacos, nachos, sandwiches, etc.
- Cook riblets in salsa or barbecue sauce instead of broth
You can customize the recipe by switching up the seasonings or finishing sauces. Cook plain riblets and use them in soups, pasta dishes, fried rice, ramen, or stir-fries. The options are endless!
Serving Suggestions
Instant pot riblets pair nicely with simple sides like:
- Coleslaw, potato salad, or macaroni salad
- Corn on the cob, grilled or roasted
- Baked beans or barbecue baked beans
- Collard greens, braised cabbage, or roasted vegetables
- Cornbread, biscuits, or buttermilk mashed potatoes
- Watermelon, pineapple, or fresh berries
For a full barbecue feast, serve the saucy ribs with classic summertime fare. The juicy riblets also work well in tacos, sandwiches, rice bowls, or on top of salad. Leftovers can even be chopped and used in omelets or fried rice.
Common Questions about Pressure Cooking Riblets
How long should I pressure cook riblets?
- Cook for 25-30 minutes on high pressure. Cooking time can vary a bit based on cut size and doneness preference. Check for tenderness after 25 minutes.
Is it necessary to brown the riblets first?
- Browning is optional but adds richer flavor. Skip it to save time if desired.
Should the riblets be coated in sauce before cooking?
- For the most flavor, avoid thick sauces before pressure cooking. Just use a dry rub. Sauce after cooking instead.
Can I use frozen riblets in my instant pot?
- Yes, frozen riblet pieces can be pressure cooked without thawing first. Add 5-10 extra minutes to the cook time.
Can I use spare ribs instead of riblets?
- You can cook other pork rib cuts like spare or baby back ribs in the instant pot. Adjust cook times as needed.
The Takeaway
Cooking pork riblets in the instant pot is one of the fastest and easiest methods for enjoying juicy, tender smoked ribs at home. In less than 30 minutes, you can have fork-tender riblets full of flavor. The pressurized moist heat rapidly breaks down the collagen connective tissue in the ribs, giving them a flavorful sear while keeping them incredibly juicy. Riblets cook up quickly and easily for a weekday family dinner or backyard barbecue feast.