Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker Keto Chinese Braised spareribs are meaty little ribs with a great, rich, deep flavor. These are ribs braised in a deep, dark flavorful black bean sauce that coats the ribs with umami goodness. Super easy dump and cook recipes for your Instant Pot or pressure cooker.
You know those steamed Chinese dim sum spare ribs in black bean sauce? Yeah, these aren’t those. Those are steamed spareribs, these are braised spareribs.
To make Chinese braised spareribs, I used the very same ingredients that you would use for steamed ribs–except I cooked the ribs directly in the liquid rather than steaming them. So the ribs were coated with the sauce.
These do NOT taste like the steamed ribs so please don’t expect that. There’s a similar dish of braised spareribs made in a clay pot.
But let’s be honest, I basically threw things in that I thought would taste good–and they did. So I do hope you try them.
By the way, if you want to make braised spareribs in a different style, try the Korean-Style galbijjim recipe here.
And if you’re looking for more delicious rib recipes, you have got to try my Keto Air Fryer Chinese-Style Spareribs or my Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs !
EQUIPMENT YOU MAY NEED TO MAKE THIS INSTANT POT PRESSURE COOKER CHINESE BRAISED SPARERIBS:
- Instant Pot Mini Duo, or Instant pot 6 quarts , or Instant Pot 8 Quarts
- Measuring Cups
- My favorite Cutting Board
- Good set of Kitchen Knives
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- Low Carb Beef Stroganoff - Comfort food and Keto? Yes, it’s true!
- Low Carb Beef Shawarma - An easy weeknight dinner option you’ll want to make again and again!
- Ethiopian Beef Stew - You won’t believe how much flavor is packed into such a simple dish.
- Beef Rendang - Fall apart tender meat in less than an hour!
- Kheema Meatloaf - The perfect solution for the days you’re craving Indian food but are short on ingredients.
- Kimchi Beef Stew - An easy pour and cook recipe full of umami flavors.
- Bulgogi Burgers - Put your air fryer to work with this fun twist on burgers!
- Corned Beef and Cabbage - A classic done in a fraction of the time.
- Indian Beef Curry - Done in less than an hour and so good you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it before!
Instant pot Chinese steamed Ribs
Ingredients
For Pressure Cooking
- ▢ 1 tablespoon ( 1 tablespoon ) Oil
- ▢ 1 tablespoon ( 1 tablespoon ) Minced Garlic
- ▢ 1 tablespoon ( 1 tablespoon ) Minced Ginger
- ▢ 2 tablespoons ( 2 tablespoons ) Black Bean Garlic Sauce
- ▢ 1 tablespoon ( 1 tablespoon ) Shaoxing Wine
- ▢ 1 tablespoon ( 1 tablespoon ) dark soy sauce
- ▢ 1 tablespoon ( 1 tablespoon ) Agave nectar
- ▢ 1/4 cup ( 62.5 ml ) Water
- ▢ 1.5 pounds ( 680.39 g ) pork spareribs , cut into small pieces
For Finishing
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ( 1 tablespoon ) Sesame Oil , Optional
- ▢ 1/4 cup ( 25 g ) Chopped Green Scallions
Instructions
- Turn your Instant Pot on Sauté and when it is hot, add the oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add minced garlic and ginger and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Add black bean sauce, wine, soy sauce, agave nectar or honey, and water, and mix well. Pour in the spareribs and stir to coat them with the sauce.
- Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Once it is finished cooking, let the pot sit undisturbed for 10 minutes and then release all remaining pressure.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the ribs and some of the intact black beans from the pot to a serving tray.
- Mix in the sesame oil if using, sprinkle with green onions, and serve.
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WATCH THE VIDEO FOR HOW TO MAKE THESE EASY INSTANT POT CHINESE BRAISED SPARERIBS
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Indian Instant Pot , Keto Instant Pot, Instant Pot Fast and Easy , Healthy Instant Pot & Vegetarian Instant Pot .
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Instant pot Chinese steamed Ribs
Ingredients
For Pressure Cooking
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- 1 tablespoon Minced Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Minced Ginger
- 2 tablespoons Black Bean Garlic Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing Wine
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Agave nectar
- 1/4 cup Water
- 1.5 pounds pork spareribs cut into small pieces
For Finishing
- 1 teaspoon Sesame Oil Optional
- 1/4 cup Chopped Green Scallions
Instructions
- Turn your Instant Pot on Sauté and when it is hot, add the oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add minced garlic and ginger and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Add black bean sauce, wine, soy sauce, agave nectar or honey, and water, and mix well. Pour in the spareribs and stir to coat them with the sauce.
- Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Once it is finished cooking, let the pot sit undisturbed for 10 minutes and then release all remaining pressure.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the ribs and some of the intact black beans from the pot to a serving tray.
- Mix in the sesame oil if using, sprinkle with green onions, and serve.
Instant pot Chinese steamed Ribs https://twosleevers.com/chinese-braised-spareribs/
Air Fryer Ribs use black bean sauce, and a few other classic Chinese ingredients to give you finger-licking ribs that are just perfectly tender and chewy at the same time. Once they’re marinated, they cook in under 10 minutes in your air fryer or convection oven.
Why You’re Going To Love Making Ribs In Your Air Fryer
- Fast. Once you marinate the ribs, they cook in under 30 minutes in your air fryer!
- Easy. Marinate, toss in your air fryer, and enjoy!
- Minimal Ingredients. Less than 10 ingredients total, and most of them are pantry staples.
- Delicious. Every single bite is absolutely bursting with flavor!
So I was making these braised Chinese spareribs where I was basically throwing things together in a pot and lo and behold! They actually turned out to be quite tasty. I had set aside half the ribs to make them a little crispy and crunchy in an air fryer.
The marinade for the Instant Pot ribs smelled SO good, that I decided I’d use a similar thing for the air fryer ribs.
I had to mess with the proportions to get a rich, thick sauce that would coat these ribs a bit more. But it was a simple, fast marinade, and at the end of a ten-minute cook time, I had these Chinese-style spareribs. All in all it’s definitely a recipe I would make again and again, and my family agrees!
Looking for more great ribs recipes? Check out my Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs !
What Do They Taste Like?
Air Fryer Chinese Spare Ribs have a bold, savory-sweet flavor with a perfect balance of richness, spice, and umami. The fermented black bean paste gives them deep, salty complexity, while the garlic and ginger add warmth and aromatic depth.
The dark soy sauce and Shaoxing wine infuse the ribs with that signature Chinese-style savoriness and subtle caramel notes, and the agave or honey creates a glossy, sticky glaze that clings beautifully to the tender meat.
Each bite has a satisfying contrast of crispy edges and juicy interior, with a smoky-sweet finish from the air fryer’s caramelization.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil - Adds a rich, nutty aroma that enhances the overall flavor of the ribs.
- 1 teaspoon Minced Garlic - Brings a sharp, savory depth that complements the sweetness of the sauce and cuts through the richness of the pork.
- 1 teaspoon Minced Ginger - Adds warmth and brightness with a subtle spicy note.
- 1 tablespoon Fermented Black Bean Paste - A key ingredient that gives the ribs their distinctive savory umami flavor.
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing Wine - A traditional Chinese cooking wine that enhances aroma and depth. It helps tenderize the ribs.
- 1 tablespoon Dark Soy Sauce - Provides deep color, rich umami, and a slightly molasses-like sweetness.
- 1 tablespoon Agave Nectar (or Honey) - Adds sweetness that balances the saltiness of the soy sauce and the intensity of the fermented black bean paste.
- 1.5 pounds Spare Ribs - The star of the dish. Pork ribs become tender and juicy when air-fried, with crispy, caramelized edges that absorb all the savory, garlicky, and slightly sweet flavors of the marinade. Cutting them into small pieces ensures they cook evenly and develop a perfect glaze.
How To Make Air Fryer Ribs
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together all ingredients for the marinade.
- Add the spare ribs and mix well. Allow the ribs to marinade for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
- When you’re ready to cook the ribs, remove the ribs from the marinade and place into the air fryer basket.
- Set the air fryer at 375F for 8 minutes.
- Check to ensure the ribs have an internal temperature of 165F before serving.
Tips And Tricks
Making Air Fryer Chinese Spare Ribs at home is an easy and delicious way to enjoy restaurant-quality ribs with a perfectly sticky, savory-sweet glaze. To get tender meat, deep flavor, and that irresistible caramelized finish, here are some expert tips and tricks:
- Marinate for Maximum Flavor . Let the ribs marinate for at least 30 minutes, but preferably 4–6 hours or overnight. The longer marination time allows the garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and fermented black bean paste to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Cut the Ribs Small . Cutting the ribs into 2- to 3-inch pieces ensures they cook evenly and crisp up beautifully in the air fryer. Smaller pieces also absorb the marinade better.
- Preheat the Air Fryer . A hot air fryer helps the ribs develop a crisp, golden-brown exterior right from the start.
- Use Foil or Parchment Paper for Easy Cleanup . Line the basket with perforated parchment paper to catch drips while allowing air circulation. This keeps cleanup simple without affecting crispness.
Variations
Here are some flavorful and creative ways to customize your Air Fryer Chinese Spare Ribs, whether you prefer them spicier, sweeter, or with a healthier twist:
- Spicy - Add 1–2 teaspoons of chili paste, sriracha, or crushed red pepper flakes to the marinade for a fiery kick that complements the savory-sweet glaze.
- Honey Garlic - Replace the fermented black bean paste with an extra 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and double the garlic. Add 2 tablespoons of honey for a sticky, sweet coating.
- Sweet and Tangy - Mix 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar and a splash of orange juice into the marinade for a bright, tangy flavor that balances the rich soy and sesame notes.
- Low-Sodium Version - Use low-sodium soy sauce and cut the salt in half. You can also substitute coconut aminos for soy sauce for a milder, naturally sweet alternative.
What To Eat With Air Fryer Ribs
Air Fryer Ribs are packed with bold, savory-sweet flavor, so they pair wonderfully with light, fragrant, and balanced side dishes. Whether you’re putting together a quick weeknight meal or a full Asian-inspired spread, here are some delicious ideas for what to eat with them:
- Jasmine Rice - The perfect classic pairing. Its mild flavor absorbs the rich, sticky sauce from the ribs beautifully.
- Fried Rice - For a heartier option, serve the ribs with egg fried rice, vegetable fried rice, or cauliflower fried rice for a flavorful complement that stays low-carb if desired.
- Stir-Fried Vegetables - A mix of broccoli, bok choy, snap peas, and carrots adds color, crunch, and balance to the meal while keeping it fresh.
How Long Do They Last?
Chinese Spare Ribs can be stored easily and still taste fantastic when reheated. Once cooled completely, transfer the ribs to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors often deepen as they sit, making them even more delicious the next day.
To reheat, place the ribs back in the air fryer at 350°F for 4–6 minutes until warmed through and slightly crisp on the edges again.
Can You Freeze Them?
For longer storage, freeze the cooked ribs for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, and brush on a touch of honey or soy sauce before air frying to refresh the glaze and bring back their glossy, savory-sweet finish.
Want MoreKeto Recipes?
- Keto Big Mac Salad - A favorite for the whole family because of my copycat sauce recipe taste just like the real thing!
- Low Carb Beef Stroganoff - Comfort food and Keto? Yes, it’s true!
- Low Carb Beef Shawarma - An easy weeknight dinner option you’ll want to make again and again!
- Ethiopian Beef Stew - You won’t believe how much flavor is packed into such a simple dish.
- Beef Rendang - Fall apart tender meat in less than an hour!
- Kheema Meatloaf - The perfect solution for the days you’re craving Indian food but are short on ingredients.
- Kimchi Beef Stew - An easy pour and cook recipe full of umami flavors.
- Bulgogi Burgers - Put your air fryer to work with this fun twist on burgers!
- Corned Beef and Cabbage - A classic done in a fraction of the time.
- Indian Beef Curry - Done in less than an hour and so good you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it before!
Air Fryer Ribs | Keto Chinese Style Spare Ribs
Equipment
- Gowise Air Fryer
- Good set of Kitchen Knives
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- CUTTING BOARD
Ingredients
- ▢ 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil
- ▢ 1 teaspoon Minced Garlic
- ▢ 1 teaspoon Minced Ginger
- ▢ 1 tablespoon fermented black bean paste
- ▢ 1 tablespoon Shaoxing Wine
- ▢ 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- ▢ 1 tablespoon agave nectar , or honey
- ▢ 1.5 pounds Spare Ribs , cut into small pieces
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together all ingredients for the marinade.
- Add the spare ribs and mix well. Allow the ribs to marinade for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
- When you’re ready to cook the ribs, remove the ribs from the marinade and place into the air fryer basket.
- Set the air fryer at 375F for 8 minutes.
- Check to ensure the ribs have an internal temperature of 165F before serving.
Watch The Video
Get support & connect with our community on Facebook!
Nutrition
And don’t forget to check out my air fryer cookbooks! Every day easy air fryer , and Air Fryer Revolution .
