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Spicy Korean BBQ Beef Short Ribs Recipe Easy Grilled Perfection

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A bold and flavorful Korean BBQ beef short ribs recipe featuring a spicy, sweet, and smoky marinade that grills to perfection. Quick to prepare and perfect for backyard gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef short ribs (flanken-style, about 1/2-inch thick)
  • 1/4 cup Korean chili paste (gochujang)
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup pear juice or 1/2 grated Asian pear
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • Green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
  • Freshly ground black pepper (for seasoning)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together Korean chili paste, soy sauce, brown sugar or honey, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, sesame oil, pear juice or grated Asian pear, and rice vinegar until sugar dissolves and marinade is smooth (about 5 minutes).
  2. Marinate the ribs: Add beef short ribs to the marinade, turning to coat thoroughly. Cover with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
  3. Preheat the grill: Heat grill to medium-high (around 400°F). If using charcoal, wait until coals are glowing red with a thin layer of white ash.
  4. Grill the ribs: Place ribs perpendicular to grill grates. Cook about 3-4 minutes per side until caramelized and slightly charred. Avoid overflipping to keep meat juicy.
  5. Rest and garnish: Remove ribs from grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and freshly ground black pepper.
  6. Serve hot with steamed rice and sides like kimchi or cucumber salad.

Notes

Marinate ribs at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for best tenderness. Pat ribs dry before grilling to get a better sear. Use medium-high direct heat to achieve caramelization without burning. Avoid overcrowding grill and flip ribs only once or twice. If no grill available, sear in cast-iron pan and finish in 400°F oven for 10 minutes. Keep a spray bottle of water handy to control flare-ups.

Nutrition

Keywords: Korean BBQ, beef short ribs, spicy marinade, grilled ribs, gochujang, Korean cuisine, backyard grilling, easy BBQ recipe