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These Grilled Korean Beef Ribs are the perfect non-traditional BBQ snack for any summer grilling occasion. Also known and Galbi, these marinated short ribs have deliciously savory and sweet taste. Cooked over direct heat, you can taste the charcoal flavors of the grill while the meat is tender. Cut into small individual pieces, these Korean beef ribs are perfect for parties and tailgating.
For more beef rib recipe inspiration check out my smoked short ribs, braised short ribs or these saucy grilled country style ribs.
Table of Contents
Ingredients needed to make Korean Beef Ribs
- Beef ribs: flanken cut beef ribs are best for this recipe. They are cut thin, across the bones, and perfect for grilling.
- Garlic: adds a savory and pungent flavor that offsets the sweetness of some ingredients.
- Asian pear: this is a critical ingredient due to it’s enzymes. If your local store does not carry Asian pears, go with Kiwi. Both have similar properties which tenderize the meat.
- Soy sauce: adds a savory and umami flavor to the marinade.
- Sesame oil: adds a distinct nutty flavor and aroma.
- Brown sugar: adds sweetness to the marinade.
- Ginger: adds freshness to a very savory and sweet mariande.
- Yellow Onion: adds a strong, pungent flavor.
What are Korean Beef Ribs?
Korean beef ribs are short ribs that have been cut lengthwise and made into long strips. Usually marinaded in a savory mix of Asian ingredients, this dish is an ideal after school or game day snack.
The cutting method smooths out the bones making them equal to the thickness of the meat which is perfect for quick grilling. The bones might not add much flavor, but they are a great built in handle for when these are done.
Korean ribs come from the chuck end of the short rib making them extremely well marbled, meaty and rich in flavor. The quick sear on a hot grill adds the charcoal and smokey flavors from the flames hitting the meat and rendering the fat.
These Korean Beef ribs are the ideal snack for any occasion!
Step 1: Start with the marinade
First, you need to get started on the marinade for the Grilled Korean Beef Ribs.
The ingredients are simple yet powerful in taste! You’ll need Asian pears or kiwi if you can’t find the pears, yellow onion, ginger, sesame oil, black pepper, soy sauce and a whole lot of garlic. Chop up the ingredients and drop them into a blender. Blend the ingredients together until everything is nice and smooth. Let me tell you, this marinade smells just absolutely amazing!!!
Place the ribs in a large bowl and pour the marinade right over the top. Make sure they are fully covered in the marinade. Cover the bowl and place in the fridge for at least a few hours, ideally overnight. The longer they marinade, the more tender and flavorful they will be. Trust me, the wait will be worth it!
Dad’s Seasonings
Must have grillin seasonings!
Step 2: Grill the Korean beef ribs
After the ribs are done marinating, it’s time to grill them up. And for this recipe, this process is very easy and quick.
For best results you should grill these over charcoal. Yes, you can use a propane grill or even a cast iron skillet, but there’s something special about grilling these over charcoal. it adds so much flavor to the meat!
Start your grill and preheat it to medium/high heat – around 400-450 degrees. I used my trusty Weber Kettle for this cook. You want to make sure the temperature doesn’t go over 500 degrees, otherwise they will burn too quickly.
Place the marinated ribs directly on the grates and grill for about 2 minutes, until golden brown with charred up edges. Flip to the other side and repeat. You can check the internal temperature but it’s honestly not even needed for this cool. Because these are cut so thin, they will be fully cooked through by the time they are charred up on both sides.
When they are done, remove the grilled beef ribs from the grill and let them rest. This will stop the cooking process and will cool them down. For serving, I like to cut each piece right between the bones for easy serving. The bone acts as a handle and you get a delicious bit size piece! Remember I told you that these are perfect for parties!
You can also garnish the finished product with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions for a pop of color. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions:
You sure can, but cooking them over charcoal adds so much flavor! It’s an easy cook and great if you’re just starting with charcoal grilling.
The difference between Korean ribs and regular short ribs is how they are cut. Regular short ribs are usually sold by the full rack, with full bones. These, however, are flenken-cut, meaning they are cut very thing, across the bones. This allows us to grill them hot and fast.
Delicious smoked beef rib recipes:
If you tried these Grilled Korean Beef Ribs or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the📝 comments. I love hearing from you!
Grilled Korean Beef Ribs
Ingredients
- 4 lbs Flanken-cut beef ribs
Marinade Ingredients
- 1 Asian pear
- 1/2 Yellow onion
- 8-10 Garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup Soy sauce
- 1/2 cup Brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Sesame oil
- 1/2 tbsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Ginger
Instructions
- Place all the marinade ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Place the beef ribs in a large bowl and pour the marinade over the top. Mix the ribs with the marinade, making sure they are all covered.
- Cover and place the bowl in the fridge for a few hours, ideally overnight.
- Start the grill and preheat to medium/high heat – 400-450 degrees. Set it for direct heat grillig.
- Place the marinated ribs directly on the grates and cook for 2 minutes per side, until golden brown and lightly charred up.
- Remove from the grill and let them rest for 5-10 minutes.
- Using a knife or scissors, cut between each bone to make individual bite size pieces.
- Garnish with toasted sesame seeds or chopped green onions, serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure you include Asian pear in the marinade. If you cannot find this specific pear, do not replace with a traditional pear but instead use Kiwi. This fruit has the same enzymes as the Asian pear which tenderizes the meat.
- The longer they sit in the marinade, the more flavorful AND tender the ribs will be. Plan ahead!
Nutrition
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This was my first time making Korean style ribs, and your recipe was perfect! I made the marinade, and my husband BBQ’d them. They turned out tasty and really tender. Thanks for this recipe!
One of my favorite meat snacks to make. Perfect for any occasion. I hope you like it as much as I do.