Instant Pot Korean Short Ribs

Introduction

Few recipes pack as much flavor and tenderness into under an hour as Instant Pot Korean Short Ribs. This fragrant, umami-rich dish features melt-in-your-mouth beef, simmered in a savory-sweet sauce of soy, ginger, garlic, and a hint of heat—perfect for impressing a dinner crowd or spicing up a cozy family meal. With the Instant Pot, you’ll enjoy restaurant-quality results with minimal effort or lengthy marinating.

Why Make Instant Pot Korean Short Ribs?

The unique balance of salty, sweet, and spicy elements makes Korean short ribs an unforgettable dinner centerpiece. Thanks to the Instant Pot, you can skip slow marinating and long oven braising while still delivering ribs that are fall-off-the-bone tender, perfectly infused with flavor, and ready in a fraction of the time. Serve them over rice with fresh veggies for a meal that’s as easy as it is impressive.

Building Flavor: The Essential Marinade

The magic of Korean short ribs lies in the marinade. Soy sauce forms the salty-sweet base, while brown sugar or honey adds rich depth. Freshly grated ginger and minced garlic bring warmth and zing, and a splash of rice vinegar adds brightness. For heat, add gochujang (Korean chili paste) or red pepper flakes to taste. Blend everything until smooth, then pour over your ribs—letting your Instant Pot work its magic to infuse those bold flavors deep into the beef.

How to Make Korean Short Ribs in the Instant Pot

Start by browning your short ribs for serious flavor, then layer in your aromatics and sauce. Pressure cooking locks in moisture and quickly tenderizes the meat, while the remaining sauce thickens for the perfect sticky finish. After a final simmer, your short ribs are ready to serve—spoon the luxurious sauce over every portion.

Serving Suggestions for Show-Stopping Instant Pot Short Ribs

Pair these Korean short ribs with fluffy steamed rice, a sprinkle of sliced scallions, and sesame seeds. Add a side of quick-pickled cucumbers or kimchi for acidity and crunch, elevating every bite. Fresh herbs or a drizzle of toasted sesame oil can make this meal restaurant-worthy at home.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 4 to 6 people. Each serving contains approximately 450 to 500 calories, depending on serving size and added sides. The dish is rich in protein, and pairing with roasted or steamed vegetables can round out your meal for balanced nutrition.

Korean Short Ribs—Fast, Flavorful Comfort Food

With bold flavors and melty, tender meat, these Instant Pot Korean Short Ribs are a go-to crowd pleaser. Their easy, hands-off cooking method delivers a gourmet main course worthy of any occasion without hours in the kitchen.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Pat the short ribs dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
2. Set your Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode. Add a drizzle of oil and brown the short ribs in batches, about 2–3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
3. Add the white parts of green onions, garlic, and ginger to the pot. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, beef broth or water, brown sugar or honey, rice vinegar, gochujang (if using), and sesame oil.
5. Return browned ribs to the pot. Pour the sauce mixture over the top, turning ribs to coat.
6. Secure the Instant Pot lid and set to “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” on HIGH for 40 minutes (for thick English-cut ribs; 30 minutes for thin flanken-cut). Allow a natural release of pressure for 10–15 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
7. Transfer ribs to a platter. Skim excess fat from the braising liquid. Optional: Set the pot to “Sauté” and stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water) to thicken sauce for about 2–3 minutes.
8. Return ribs to the pot to coat, or spoon sauce over ribs to serve. Garnish with scallion greens and toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot, over rice.

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is ideal for weekly meal planning—it reheats beautifully, making leftovers just as delicious the next day. Save and schedule this recipe to plan when to prepare it and add all the needed ingredients to your custom shopping list.

Planning Benefits:

– Instantly tallies up ingredient amounts across all planned meals
– Groups your shopping list by store department for fast, easy shopping
– Helps you avoid duplicate purchases and forgotten essentials
– Streamlines meal prep for less stress during the busy week

Pro tip: If you’re planning multiple meals, schedule your recipes in CookifyAI to see where ingredients overlap—and reduce both cost and food waste. For example, both this recipe and Asian-inspired side dishes might use garlic and green onions; CookifyAI makes sure you never over- or under-buy.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes (plus ~10 min for pressure release)
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes