Korean BBQ Galbi
Korean BBQ Galbi is a traditional Korean-style dish made with marinated beef short ribs.The meat is soaked in a sweet, savory, and aromatic marinade for maximum flavor.Soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and fruit create the signature Galbi taste.The ribs are grilled until beautifully caramelized and tender.They can be served with rice, lettuce wraps, kimchi, and Korean side dishes.This recipe is perfect for family meals, celebrations, and special occasions.
Ingredients
For the Galbi
- 2 pounds beef short ribs, preferably thin-cut flanken-style
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil, if using a skillet or grill pan
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- Sesame seeds for garnish
For the Korean Galbi Marinade
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- ½ Korean pear or sweet apple, grated
- 2 tablespoons finely grated onion
- 2 tablespoons mirin or rice wine
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
Prepare the Short Ribs
- Rinse the beef short ribs gently and pat them dry with paper towels. If desired, soak the ribs briefly in cold water to help remove excess blood before marinating.
Prepare the Marinade
- In a large bowl, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, grated pear or apple, grated onion, mirin, black pepper, chopped green onions, and sesame seeds.
Marinate the Beef
- Place the short ribs in the marinade and make sure every piece is thoroughly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. For deeper flavor, marinate overnight.
Preheat the Grill
- Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the cooking surface if necessary.
Grill the Galbi
- Remove the ribs from the marinade and allow excess marinade to drip off. Place the ribs on the hot grill and cook for approximately 3–5 minutes per side, depending on their thickness.
Rest and Garnish
- Allow the cooked ribs to rest for a few minutes. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- Flanken-style beef short ribs are ideal for traditional Korean BBQ Galbi.
- Marinating the meat for several hours creates deeper flavor.
- Korean pear or apple adds natural sweetness and helps tenderize the meat.
- Do not marinate the ribs for an excessively long time with large amounts of fruit, as the texture may become too soft.
- Cook the ribs over medium-high heat for the best caramelization.
- Keep a close watch while grilling because the sugar in the marinade can burn quickly.
- Allow the meat to rest briefly before serving.
- Adjust the sweetness and garlic according to your personal taste.