Instant Pot Korean Burritos are easy to make and fun to eat! Make your own Korean BBQ-inspired meat and Cilantro Lime Rice in your Instant Pot or slow cooker. You will have a delicious dinner that tastes like your favorite takeout in no time!
These Instant Pot Korean Burritos are so delicious and easy to make! Put your Instant Pot or slow cooker to work, all you have to do is assemble and eat! This is a great recipe to shake up your usual routine and make something new.
I love Korean BBQ. Living in Portland, I am lucky to be close to all the different restaurants and food carts with all the different types of cuisine to choose from. Since I can't always make it to a food cart, why not make it at home??
This recipe was inspired by Pinch of Yum's Korean BBQ Burrito recipe. I took that inspiration and changed a few things including different meat and making it in your Instant Pot. I also added a little spice and changed up the rice to Cilantro Lime Rice (also made in the Instant Pot). Yum!
Ingredients needed to Make Korean Burritos and Cilantro Lime Rice
- 2-3 pears, as ripe as possible
- garlic
- fresh ginger
- soy sauce
- brown sugar
- chili paste (I use Sambal Oelek)
- sesame oil
- pork spare ribs
- flour tortillas
- brown rice
- fresh cilantro
- lime
- cabbage
- salted peanuts (optional)
Why Is There Pear In This Recipe?
It may seem unusual if you are not familiar with Asian cuisine, but pears have enzymes that are great for tenderizing meat. Some specify Asian pears, but I have found that any type of pear will work, especially since this meat is cooked in the Instant Pot. The pear also adds a nice sweetness to this dish. If you don't have pears, apples will work as a substitute.
What if I don't have an Instant Pot?
Don't have an Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker?? No Problem! You can also make this meal in a slow cooker. Just set your slow cooker on HIGH for 3-5 hours. Cook your rice on the stovetop, microwave, or rice cooker and you are good to go!
Can These Burritos Be Made With Different Meat?
The great thing about this recipe is that you can use whatever meat you like. Make it with beef or chicken instead! If you have leftover meat, mix it in a saucepan with the sauce and cook on a low simmer for 20-30 minutes before serving (see photo above using Instant Pot Kalua Pork).
You can also add whatever toppings or dipping sauce you want: spicy mayo, kimchi, more chili paste, or sriracha for additional heat, etc.
Tips for Making Korean Burritos
- Use a slotted spoon when placing the meat into the tortilla, this will help some of the juice drain so your burrito doesn't get soggy or drip all over.
- You have the option of cooking the rice first (or ahead of time) and letting it sit while you cook the meat. I cooked the meat first and then the rice, but it's up to you. If you don't have 2 inner pots for your pressure cooker, you will need to clean in between.
- Be careful with the chili paste, it can be very spicy! I always use about a tablespoon and then use it as a side condiment for anyone who wants more kick in their burrito. If you don't like spicy at all, just leave it out.
If you like this recipe, check out more Easy Dinner Recipes
- Easy Chile Relleno Enchiladas
- Instant Pot Carnitas
- Easy Ramen Noodle Recipe
- Mexican Pizzas!
- Instant Pot Frozen Beef Stew
Instant Pot Korean Burrito
Equipment
- Instant Pot/Electric Pressure Cooker (you can also use a slow cooker)
Ingredients
- 2-3 pears, cut into small pieces (depending on size, I used 3 because mine were small)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced or grated (see notes)
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1-2 tablespoon chili paste (I use Sambal Oelek found in the grocery store)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 pounds pork spare ribs
- 4-6 large flour tortillas
- 1 cup brown rice, rinsed
- 1 cup water
- 1 handful fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime zested then juiced
- 1 cup chopped cabbage
- ¼ cup salted peanuts, finely chopped
Instructions
- Take the cut pears, garlic and ginger and add it to your food processor or blender and blend until everything is combined into a thick sauce.
- Put pear mixture in the Instant Pot along with the soy sauce, brown sugar, chili paste, and sesame oil and stir to combine. The chili paste adds a tiny bit of heat but really adds to the flavor. I don't like anything super spicy but loved this sauce! Trust me, it's a game-changer, don't skip it.
- Cut spare ribs into 2 or 3 large pieces and place in Instant Pot. Using a spoon, ensure the ribs are fully coated with the sauce mixture. Put the lid in place and close the steam vent. Set to Pressure Cook HIGH for 90 minutes. Allow the steam to naturally release before removing the lid.
- Remove the Rib pieces from the pressure cooker and place on a cutting board (keep the sauce in the pot!!). Using tongs and a fork, remove all of the meat from the bones, it should just fall off. Place the meat back in the Instant Pot and mix back into the sauce. As you are mixing, break up the meat. Again, this should be very easy to do, all I needed was my metal tongs to accomplish this.
- Now that your meat has cooked, it's time to cook the rice. In a clean pressure cooker pot, add the rinsed rice and water with a pinch of salt and stir together. Put the lid in place and close the steam vent. Set to Pressure Cook HIGH for 7 minutes. Once done, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes and then release the rest of the steam manually. Fluff the rice with a fork and then add the lime zest, 2 tablespoon lime juice, cilantro and another pinch of salt if desired. Stir together to make sure all the flavors combine. Taste the rice to see if it has enough lime flavor and add more if needed.
- Place your flour tortillas on a plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 30-60 seconds to make them easier to roll. On each tortilla, place a row of pork, a row of rice, a row of cabbage and sprinkle with peanuts. Roll up into a burrito and enjoy!
Notes
- Don't have an Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker?? No Problem! You can also make this meal in a slow cooker. Just set your slow cooker on HIGH for 3-5 hours. Cook your rice on the stovetop, microwave or rice cooker and you are good to go!
- You can also add whatever toppings or dipping sauce you want: spicy mayo, kimchi, more chili paste or sriracha for additional heat, etc.
- The great thing about this recipe is you can use whatever meat you like. Make it with beef or chicken instead! If you have leftover meat, mix it in a saucepan with the sauce and cook on a low simmer for 20-30 minutes before serving.
- If you have leftover rice from takeout, make this cilantro lime rice with the extras!
- Always read the instruction manual that came with your Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker and follow all safety guidelines.
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
How does this Koren Burrito measure up?
I wasn't sure if this would be as good as the food carts, but I was surprised to find it was pretty close. This recipe isn't super authentic. However, it is super delicious, and that's what counts.
I'm definitely adding this to our normal rotation, who doesn't love a burrito??? P.S. the leftovers are just as good, if not better, the next day!!
Did You Make These Instant Pot Korean Burritos?
I hope you get a chance to make these Instant Pot Koren Burritos. If you snap a photo, tag me on Instagram or Facebook.
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Michele Peterson says
I've really missed eating Korean food and this recipe satisfied my craving for BBQ!
Jess says
Cilantro lime rice is life! This recipe is a real game changer with being able to make it in the Instant Pot!
Andréa Janssen says
I've got myself an instant pot, so I'm going to put this recipe on my to do list. Never added pears to my burrito's, so I'm very curious how this is going to work out.
Emily says
I think you will love it!! And what a great way to break in your Instant Pot! I was a little wary about the pears, but they added an interesting texture a just a touch of sweet!
Chef Dennis says
Yum! I would really love to have this Instant Pot Korean Burritos for dinner tonight!
Amy Chung says
I really should get myself an instant pot so I can make awesome recipes like these!
Emily says
Yes, you should! I resisted for a while but now I don't know how I lived without it!
Sue says
Yes please! Any Instant Pot meal is my friend!!
Nicole says
Love this recipe!