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    Home » Main Dish

    Galbi (Korean BBQ Short Ribs)

    Published 06/11/2010. Updated 09/20/2020

    Jump to Recipe

    galbi recipe 11 - Galbi (Korean BBQ Short Ribs)

    Make delicious Korean BBQ short ribs, galbi (or kalbi, 갈비), at home! This galbi recipe will give you a smooth balance of sweet and savory flavor!

    Beef short ribs

    The word galbi literally means “ribs,”and the full name of this dish is galbi gui (grilled). It is the most popular backyard/outdoor BBQ dish in Korean homes.

    Galbi short ribs come in two different cuts – flanken cut (ribs are cut thin across the bones) and English cut (ribs are separated and cut into short lengths). Interestingly, Koreans call the flanken cut “LA galbi,” named after the city where early Korean immigrants started to use this cut for galbi.
     
    While LA galbiis convenient and increasingly popular in America and even in Korea these days, the butterflied English cut is classic for grilled galbi in Korea.

    How to butterfly the short rib meat

    1. Your butcher may be willing to butterfly the short ribs for you. To do it yourself, you will need a sharp knife.
    2. Holding the bone part firmly, slice the meat lengthwise close to the bone almost to the other end (1/4 to 1/2 inch from the edge). Do NOT cut through. Open it up like a book.
    3. Starting from the middle, run the knife through the meaty part, 1/4 to 1/2-inch from the bottom, almost to the other end. Open it up.
    4. Repeat if necessary to open the meat into a long thin strip. This might take some practice, but it’s totally worth it. If this does not work, simply slice the rib meat into 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick rectangles.

    PicMonkey Collage galbi - Galbi (Korean BBQ Short Ribs)

    Galbi marinade

    Short ribs are a tough cut of meat and need to be tenderized for grilling. Traditionally, grated Korean pear is used as a tenderizer. It also adds a subtle fruity sweetness to the marinade. You can certainly make galbi without a pear, but to me, it takes the galbi to a different level.

    If you don’t have a Korean/Asian pear, use an apple instead. If using, kiwi or pineapple, use a small amount as these are very strong tenderizing agents.

    The key to creating delicious galbi is to find the right balance between saltiness and sweetness. Using generous amounts of garlic and sesame oil is important to create authentic flavors. The ribs should be marinated at least for 6 to 8 hours or overnight for best results.

    How to enjoy Korean BBQ short ribs

    The best way to enjoy Korean BBQ meat is to wrap a bite size piece in a lettuce leaf with a dollop ofssamjang (쌈장) or simply gochujang (Korean red pepper paste).

    For other side dishes, serve the short ribs with fresh kimchi salad type of dishes, such as fresh kimchiorbok choi kimchi salad and any of 15 Korean Vegetable Side Dishes.

    More Korean BBQ recipes

    10 Easy Korean BBQ recipes

    Have you tried this galbi recipe? Please rate the recipe below and leave a comment! Stay in touch by following me on YouTube,  Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

    galbi - Galbi (Korean BBQ Short Ribs)

    Galbi (Korean BBQ Beef Short Ribs)

    4.61 from 43 votes
    Main Course
    Servings: 4
    Print Recipe

    Ingredients

    • 3-4 pounds beef short ribs (good quality English cut)

    Marinade:

    • ½ cup soy sauce
    • 1/2 cup water
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • 2 tablespoons honey
    • ¼ cup rice wine (or Mirin)
    • ¼ cup about 1/2 of a medium Korean/Asian pear grated
    • ¼ cup about 1/2 of a medium onion grated
    • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
    • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
    • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions

    • Rinse the ribs and drain water. Trim excess fat. Butterfly the short ribs so the meat is 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. (See below for the instructions.)
      galbi5 e1551678887794 - Galbi (Korean BBQ Short Ribs)
    • Mix all marinade ingredients well. Marinate the meat for at least 6 hours (overnight for best results). The thicker the meat the longer you'll want to marinate.
      galbi1 e1551678428515 - Galbi (Korean BBQ Short Ribs)
    • It's best to grill over charcoal or wood charcoal (sootbul), but a gas grill works well too. Grill over medium high to high heat, turning only once, 2 - 3 minutes on each side. Make sure to preheat the grill for nice grill marks.

    Notes

    Galbi can be broiled in the oven. Set the oven to broil and preheat. Lay the meat in a single layer on a broil pan and place it on the top rack of the oven, usually about 6 inches below the broiler. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Flip them over and cook for an additional 3 -4 minutes until nicely charred.)
    Tried this recipe?Mention @koreanbapsang or tag #koreanbapsang!

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    Hi! I'm Hyosun, and I am a Korean-American mom of two wonderful grown-up children. Here, you will learn how to cook Korean dishes the way we Koreans traditionally eat at home. Read More...

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