Kalbi (Korean Short Ribs) Recipe (2024)

Delicious flavor packed kalbi or Korean short ribs are simple to make and perfect for your next BBQ. Just a few ingredients and you’ve got yourself an amazing dinner.

There’s no time like today to break out your BBQ and grill up some delicious food. Like pūlehu steak, teriyaki burgers, or even grilled shrimp kabobs. There’s something about cooking outside over an open fire. The smell of Korean BBQ wafting through the air. Those gorgeous grill marks and charred edges. Oh so good.

Don’t have a grill? No problem. You can totally whip these up on the stove top, in the oven, or the air fryer as well. Don’t you worry.

What is kalbi?

Kalbi or galbi is a Korean BBQ dish made of beef short ribs. Galbi is the Korean word for ribs. Here in Hawai’i the short ribs are soaked in a sweet and savory marinade and grilled.

Kalbi style of ribs can be found at local grocery stores here in Hawai’i or at Asian markets. This style of short rib is called flanken. It is a thin strip of meat cut lengthwise across the ribs from the chuck to the short ribs.

The slices are thin which makes cooking time quicker. Mark that as a win in my book. Quick and easy dinners are my jam.

Now although kalbi is traditionally a Korean recipe, it has become a very popular dish in Hawai’i. Kalbi has taken on it’s own flavor and technique of making here as did so many other ethnic foods.

Ingredients for kalbi marinade

• Shoyu is a Japanese style soy sauce. Packed with umami and can be found in the Asian aisle at most grocery stores.
• Brown sugar. I like to use golden brown, but you can use light or dark as well. The darker the sugar, the more of a molasses flavor it has.
• Mirin is a slightly sweet Japanese rice wine and also can be found in the Asian aisle in most grocery stores.
• Sesame oil packs a strong punch. You don’t need much.
• Garlic
• Onion
• Ginger

And of course you’ll need Korean style cut short ribs. If your local grocery store does not carry this cut you can ask your butcher to cut it for you.

How long does it take to grill kalbi?

Because kalbi is thinly sliced, cooking time is relatively quick. It only takes about 3-5 minutes on each side.

What to serve with Korean short ribs?

As with many other Korean dishes, it is often served with banchan or side dishes. Some popular Korean side dishes include kimchi, seasoned spinach, cucumber salad, and you can’t go wrong with sticky white rice.

How to store?

Once the beef has cooled, place in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will keep for 3-4 days.

Can you freeze galbi?

Beef is a hearty meat and holds up to freezing quite well. You can freeze pre soaked or pre cooked galbi in the freezer for 4-6 months for optimum flavor.

How to reheat?

Kalbi can be reheated by placing it on a BBQ grill over indirect heat, in the microwave, on the stove top, or in the oven.

Other great grilling recipes

• Coffee rub pork chops
• Teriyaki chicken kabobs
• Venison kabobs

How to make kalbi?

1. For the marinade: To a medium bowl add shoyu, sugar, mirin, sesame oil, garlic, green onion, onion, and ginger. Mix until well combined.
2. For the kalbi: Add short short ribs to a zip top bag and pour in the marinade. Close and set in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours up to overnight.
3. Heat grill to medium high. Spray grill racks with nonstick cooking spray. Remove short ribs from marinade and place over the flames. Grill for 3-5 minutes on each side.
4. Remove from the grill and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. ENJOY!

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