Sizzling Korean Galbi Recipe: Juicy BBQ Ribs Made Simple

Sizzling and charcoal-kissed, this authentic galbi recipe brings the heart of Korean street food straight to your kitchen.

Tender beef short ribs marinated in a bold, savory-sweet sauce promise an explosion of flavor with every bite.

The traditional Korean galbi marinade infuses the meat with deep, complex notes that dance between soy, garlic, and subtle sweetness.

Generations of Seoul home cooks have perfected this beloved dish, passing down techniques that make each slice melt in your mouth.

Succulent and caramelized, these ribs offer a perfect balance of smoky char and rich marinaded meat.

The grill transforms simple ingredients into a remarkable culinary experience that connects you to Korean cuisine’s rich traditions.

Let’s find out this recipe and unleash your inner grilling champion.

Galbi Preparation Method You Can Trust

• Meat Preparation

Short ribs require careful cleaning and initial treatment to ensure tenderness and flavor absorption. Thoroughly rinse the meat and allow it to soak in cold water, which helps remove excess blood and potential impurities.

• Marinade Creation

Combine fresh ingredients like onion, scallion whites, garlic, and pineapple in a blender. Create a complex flavor profile by mixing traditional Korean seasonings that will deeply penetrate the meat’s surface. Blend until smooth and store in refrigerator.

• Marinating Process

Transfer meat into a sealed container, completely cover with prepared marinade. Allow meat to rest and absorb flavors slowly over several hours, preferably overnight. This step transforms ordinary short ribs into a delectable Korean delicacy.

• Cooking Technique

Heat a grill pan to high temperature. Carefully place marinated short ribs, allowing each side to develop a beautiful caramelized exterior. Cook until meat reaches perfect char and desired doneness, typically a few minutes per side.

• Serving

Let cooked meat rest momentarily to redistribute internal juices. Slice between bones for elegant presentation. Accompany with steamed rice and seasonal vegetables for a complete, authentic Korean meal experience.

Galbi Twists for a Custom Taste Experience

• Enhance the marinade's depth by grating fresh ginger and using ripe, sweet pineapple for natural tenderizing power.
• Choose well-marbled short ribs with even fat distribution for maximum tenderness and rich Korean BBQ flavor.
• Use high heat to create beautiful caramelized edges, turning ribs only once to lock in juices and develop a perfect charred exterior.
• Transform remaining galbi into delicious next-day dishes like Korean-style tacos, rice bowl toppers, or chopped into stir-fries for quick meals.
• Adjust heat by adding gochujang or red pepper flakes to the marinade for those who enjoy a spicier Korean BBQ experience.

Serving Galbi to Wow Guests or Family

• Flavor Fusion Plate: Pair these succulent Korean short ribs with steamed jasmine rice, creating a harmonious blend of tender meat and fluffy grains.
• Colorful Veggie Companions: Serve alongside grilled zucchini, roasted bell peppers, and crisp green onions to add vibrant colors and fresh textures to your meal.
• Banchan Brilliance: Complement the galbi with traditional Korean side dishes like kimchi, pickled radishes, and seasoned bean sprouts for an authentic dining experience that awakens every taste bud.
• Sauce Drizzle Delight: Enhance the dish by adding extra marinade as a glaze or creating a quick dipping sauce with sesame seeds and chopped scallions to intensify the rich, sweet-savory flavors.

Keep Leftover Galbi Delicious

• Smart Marinating Technique: Seal the short ribs in a zip-top bag to ensure even marinade coverage and prevent mess in your refrigerator. This method allows maximum flavor absorption and easy cleanup.
• Refrigeration Window: Keep marinated ribs between 12-24 hours for optimal taste development. Longer marinating helps tenderize meat and deepens Korean-style flavor profiles without compromising meat texture.
• Leftover Management: Store cooked galbi in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Refrigerated portions stay fresh for 3-4 days and can be quickly reheated in a skillet or microwave with minimal flavor loss.
• Freezing Strategy: Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags for convenient storage. Frozen galbi maintains quality for up to 2-3 months when properly sealed, offering quick meal solutions for busy weeks.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 5

Galbi Ingredient Lineup You’ll Love

• Steamed Rice: Fluffy foundation for wrapping and enjoying galbi, choose short-grain white rice for authentic Korean texture and stickiness.

• Lettuce, Perilla Leaves: Fresh, crisp vessels that add bright herbal notes and cool crunch, select vibrant green leaves without wilting or brown edges, Korean restaurants typically use multiple leaf types for varied flavor and texture.

Tool You Need for Galbi Grill Nights

• Blender: Essential for creating a smooth, flavorful marinade by mixing all ingredients quickly and efficiently.
• Zip-top bag: Perfect for marinating ribs, ensuring even coating and easy cleanup.
• Grill pan or skillet: Crucial for achieving those delicious charred edges and browning the short ribs.
• Cutting board: Needed for preparing ingredients and slicing ribs after cooking.
• Sharp knife: Required for cutting ribs between bones and chopping garnish ingredients.
• Whisk: Helps dissolve sugar and blend marinade ingredients thoroughly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions for the perfect marinade.

Succulent Galbi Recipe

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• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Korean galbi offers succulent short ribs marinated in a rich, savory sauce with deep umami flavors. Grill masters and home cooks alike savor these tender meat delicacies that showcase Korean culinary traditions and bring people together around a delicious meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lb (907 g) beef short ribs
• ½ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 3 tbsps rice wine
• 2 tbsps sesame oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 cup steamed rice
• Leafy vegetables (lettuce or perilla leaves)

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Instructions

1. Cleansing and Purification: Rinse short ribs thoroughly under cool water, then immerse in cold water for 1-3 hours to eliminate blood and impurities, ensuring a clean protein base.
2. Marinade Fusion: Blend onion, scallion whites, garlic, pineapple, water, and ginger into a smooth liquid. Incorporate soy sauce, mirin, sugar, sesame oil, and black pepper, whisking until sugar completely dissolves, creating a complex flavor profile.
3. Marination Process: Transfer cleansed short ribs to a zip-top bag, completely saturate with prepared marinade, ensuring uniform coating. Refrigerate for 12-24 hours, allowing deep flavor infusion and meat tenderization.
4. High-Heat Searing: Remove marinated ribs from refrigerator, allowing them to reach ambient temperature. Heat grill pan or skillet to medium-high, creating an ideal caramelization environment.
5. Precision Cooking and Resting: Sear ribs for approximately 2 minutes per side, developing a rich caramelized exterior. After cooking, transfer to a cutting board and rest for 3-5 minutes to preserve internal moisture and enhance tenderness.
6. Presentation and Serving: Slice ribs between bones into individual portions. Arrange on a serving platter, garnish with fresh herbs or green onions, and complement with steamed rice and roasted vegetables for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Cleanse Thoroughly: Soaking short ribs in cold water removes blood and impurities, ensuring a cleaner, more refined taste and texture.
• Marinade Magic: Blending ingredients creates a smooth, well-integrated flavor profile that deeply penetrates the meat, enhancing its natural richness.
• Patience Pays Off: Marinating for 12-24 hours allows the meat to absorb maximum flavor, tenderizing and infusing it with a complex taste sensation.
• Searing Secrets: Bringing meat to room temperature and using medium-high heat ensures even cooking, creating a perfect caramelized exterior while maintaining juicy tenderness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Korean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg