If you’re looking for a light, comforting and easy soup, this Chinese tomato pork rib soup is it. Naturally sweet from vegetables and packed with flavour, it’s a classic home-style dish that feels like a warm hug in a bowl.
Table of Contents
- What is Chinese Tomato Pork Rib Soup?
- Ingredients for Making This Soup
- Why I Love Making This in an Instant Pot
- How to Make Chinese Tomato Pork Rib Soup
What is Chinese Tomato Pork Rib Soup
This Chinese tomato pork rib soup is a classic home-style dish that’s light, comforting, nutritious, and super easy to make. It’s one of those everyday soups you’ll find in many Asian homes, especially when you just want something warm, simple and nourishing.
My dad told me he used to make this during his university days, so it’s a really nostalgic dish for him. Now it’s something he makes for me and my mom all the time.
I’ve also heard this soup called “ABC soup” because it’s packed with vitamins A, B, and C from the tomatoes, carrots and corn. These vegetables give the soup a natural sweetness, so all you really need is a bit of salt at the end.
Ingredients for Making This Soup
Here are a few key ingredients to note. You’ll find the full ingredient list and quantities in the recipe card below.
Pork ribs
Pork ribs are commonly used in Chinese soups because the bones add depth of flavour, while the meat stays tender after simmering.
Before cooking, it’s really important to blanch the ribs in boiling water for about 5 minutes, or until scum and foam rise to the surface, then rinse them clean. This removes impurities and excess blood, which ensures the soup stay clear and clean-tasting.
Substitutes: You can use pork shoulder chunks if you prefer a meatier bite, but I recommend using bone-in cuts as it give a deeper and richer flavour. You can also use chicken drumsticks if you don’t want to use pork.
Tomatoes, sweetcorn & carrots
I love adding tomatoes, sweetcorn, and carrots for extra vitamins and natural sweetness in the soup. Make sure to choose ripe tomatoes, as they break down into the soup and create a light, tangy base. The sweetcorn and carrots balance out the acidity of the tomatoes and add extra nutrition.
You can also add with other vegetables like potatoes or onions for more flavour and texture.
Tomato paste
Tomato paste is totally optional, but I like adding a little to boost the tomato flavour and make the soup richer. You can skip it if you prefer, but I think it really enhances the taste.
Why I Love Making This in an Instant Pot
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I love using the Instant Pot for soups that would normally take hours of simmering.
My favourite shortcut is to use the Pressure Cooking function of the Instant Pot. It locks in the natural sweetness from the vegetables and tenderises the ribs in under an hour. So much faster than the traditional method!
Pressure cooking also softens the cartilage, which is normally too tough to bite, making it super soft, gelatinous, and packed with collagen. It’s honestly a game-changer for home-style soups!
This is the exact Instant Pot I use. It’s me and my mom’s go-to for soups, braised dishes, and so many other home-style meals. It makes weeknight cooking so much easier, and I honestly use it almost every day.
How to Make Instant Pot Chinese Tomato Pork Rib Soup
Add the pork ribs to a pot of cold water, just enough to cover. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes, until foam and impurities rise to the surface. Drain and rinse the ribs clean.
Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add 1 tablespoon of neutral oil, then sauté the ginger and green onions for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute to deepen the flavour. Add the pork ribs and sear for 1–2 minutes, until lightly browned.
Turn off the heat. Add the chopped tomatoes, carrots, sweetcorn, and hot water.
Instant Pot: Seal the lid and pressure cook for 45 minutes. Once done, allow the pressure to release naturally or manually. Regular Pot: Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 1.5–2 hours, until the ribs are tender and the soup is rich. Skim any impurities as needed.
Season with salt and white pepper to taste. Serve garnished with chopped green onions and an extra sprinkle of white pepper. Enjoy!
More Soup Recipes You’ll Love
Instant Pot Chinese Tomato Pork Rib Soup
4
servings20
minutes40
minutesClassic Chinese tomato pork rib soup with tomatoes, sweetcorn and carrots. Light, nourishing, and easy to make at home.
Keep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
600 g pork ribs
4 large tomatoes, chopped into wedges
1 sweetcorn, chopped
2 large carrots, chopped into large chunks
40 g ginger, sliced
1 green onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
1 L hot water
1 -2 tsp salt (or more to taste)
1 green onion, chopped (garnish)
white pepper powder to taste (optional)
Directions
- Add the pork ribs to a pot of cold water, just enough to cover. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes, until foam and impurities rise to the surface. Drain and rinse the ribs clean.
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add 1 tablespoon of neutral oil, then sauté the ginger and green onions for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute to deepen the flavour. Add the pork ribs and sear for 1–2 minutes, until lightly browned.
- Turn off the heat. Add the chopped tomatoes, carrots, sweetcorn, and hot water.
- Instant Pot: Seal the lid and pressure cook for 45 minutes. Once done, allow the pressure to release naturally or manually. Regular Pot: Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 1.5–2 hours, until the ribs are tender and the soup is rich. Skim any impurities as needed.
- Season with salt and white pepper to taste. Serve garnished with chopped green onions and an extra sprinkle of white pepper. Enjoy!
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