Experience the rich and savory flavors of Chinese cuisine with this pressure cooker ribs recipe. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, these ribs are tender, juicy, and packed with a delightful blend of Asian spices.
Some ingredients in this recipe might not be staples in every kitchen. Hoisin sauce is a thick, fragrant sauce commonly used in Chinese cuisine, and rice vinegar is a mild vinegar made from fermented rice. Both can be found in the international aisle of most supermarkets.

Ingredients For Pressure Cooker Chinese Ribs Recipe
Pork ribs: The main protein, providing a rich and meaty flavor.
Soy sauce: Adds a salty, umami depth to the dish.
Hoisin sauce: A sweet and savory sauce that enhances the overall flavor.
Rice vinegar: Provides a subtle tanginess to balance the sweetness.
Brown sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness and helps to caramelize the ribs.
Ginger: Fresh and aromatic, it adds a zesty kick.
Garlic: Infuses the dish with a robust, savory flavor.
Water: Helps to create the cooking liquid and keeps the ribs moist.
Technique Tip for Making These Chinese Ribs
To enhance the flavor of the pork ribs, consider marinating them in the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic mixture for at least an hour before cooking. This allows the ribs to absorb more of the rich, savory flavors, resulting in a more delicious and tender final dish.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
pork ribs - Substitute with beef short ribs: Beef short ribs have a similar texture and can absorb the flavors well, making them a good alternative.
soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative that provides a similar umami flavor.
hoisin sauce - Substitute with plum sauce: Plum sauce has a similar sweet and tangy profile, making it a suitable replacement.
rice vinegar - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar has a comparable acidity and can mimic the tanginess of rice vinegar.
brown sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey adds sweetness and a slight depth of flavor, similar to brown sugar.
ginger, minced - Substitute with ground ginger: Ground ginger can provide a similar spicy warmth, though use less as it is more concentrated.
garlic, minced - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can offer a similar garlicky flavor, though it is less pungent.
water - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth adds more depth of flavor compared to plain water.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to These Chinese Ribs
How to Store or Freeze These Chinese Ribs
- Allow the ribs to cool completely before storing. This helps maintain their texture and flavor.
- Transfer the ribs to an airtight container. If you have a vacuum sealer, use it to remove excess air, which can help preserve the ribs longer.
- For added flavor retention, pour any remaining sauce from the pressure cooker over the ribs before sealing the container.
- Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the ribs within 3-4 days.
- For longer storage, place the airtight container in the freezer. The ribs can be frozen for up to 3 months without significant loss of quality.
- When ready to reheat, thaw the ribs in the refrigerator overnight if frozen.
- Reheat the ribs gently to avoid drying them out. You can use a microwave, oven, or stovetop. If using the oven, preheat to 300°F (150°C) and cover the ribs with foil to retain moisture.
- For a quick reheat, place the ribs in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and microwave on medium power in 1-minute intervals until heated through.
- If reheating on the stovetop, place the ribs in a skillet with a bit of water or leftover sauce, cover, and heat over medium-low until warmed through.
- Always check that the ribs are heated to an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) before serving to ensure food safety.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftover ribs on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
- Brush a little extra hoisin sauce or soy sauce over the ribs to keep them moist.
- Cover the ribs with another piece of aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out.
- Heat in the oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the ribs are warmed through.
Microwave Method:
- Place the ribs in a microwave-safe dish.
- Add a splash of water or broth to the dish to keep the ribs moist.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
- Microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat.
- Add a small amount of oil to the skillet.
- Place the ribs in the skillet and cover with a lid.
- Heat for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the ribs are heated through.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the ribs in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Heat for about 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are warming evenly.
Sous Vide Method:
- Preheat your sous vide machine to 140°F (60°C).
- Place the ribs in a vacuum-sealed bag or a resealable plastic bag using the water displacement method.
- Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for about 45 minutes to an hour.
- Remove from the bag and serve immediately.
Slow Cooker Method:
- Place the ribs in the slow cooker.
- Add a small amount of water or broth to keep them moist.
- Cover and heat on low for 1-2 hours, or until the ribs are warmed through.
Best Tools for Making Chinese Ribs in a Pressure Cooker
Pressure cooker: Essential for cooking the ribs quickly and tenderizing them under high pressure.
Cutting board: Used to cut the ribs into sections that fit into the pressure cooker.
Knife: Necessary for cutting the ribs and mincing the ginger and garlic.
Mixing bowl: Used to mix the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic.
Measuring cups: Needed to measure the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and rice vinegar accurately.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the brown sugar and minced ginger.
Tongs: Helpful for placing the ribs into the pressure cooker and removing them once cooked.
Serving platter: Used to let the ribs rest and serve them before eating.
How to Save Time on Making These Chinese Ribs
Pre-cut the ribs: Cut the pork ribs into sections ahead of time to save prep time.
Use pre-minced ingredients: Buy pre-minced garlic and ginger to reduce chopping time.
Mix the sauce in advance: Prepare the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and brown sugar mixture the night before.
Quick release method: After the initial 10-minute natural release, use the quick release method to save time.
Double the recipe: Cook a larger batch and freeze leftovers for a quick meal later.

Pressure Cooker Chinese Ribs Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork ribs
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- 1. Cut the ribs into sections to fit into your pressure cooker.
- 2. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic.
- 3. Place the ribs in the pressure cooker and pour the sauce mixture over them. Add water.
- 4. Lock the lid and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes.
- 5. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
- 6. Remove the ribs and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
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