Summer is here and you know what means…BBQ! All BBQs should have Grilled Beef Short Ribs, also known as Kalbi at Korean Restaurants or Flaken-Style Short Ribs at the butcher. Not only are they super delicious, but it’s sooo easy to make. Oh, did I mention that it’s super affordable? You should never have a BBQ without this ever again.
Unlike American short ribs, these Asian short ribs are cut lengthwise across the rib bones, making it a thin strip of meat with 1/2-inch thick rib bones all along it. That said, don’t go to Whole Foods and expect to find this cut of meat cause you won’t. Your best bet will be going to your nearest Asian or Mexican supermarket and you’ll find it selling for about $4-$5 per pound.
I normally would refrain myself from labeling food as simply “Asian”, but for this recipe, I honestly can’t pinpoint a country of origin. I’m also not titling this Korean because traditionally Koreans wouldn’t marinade their Kalbi with oyster sauce – oh, but this oyster sauce make this Asian marinade so savory and flavorful.
BBQ Asian Beef Short Ribs
*I usually eye-ball the marinade, but I made a quick attempt to measuring it out for this post*
3 lbs flanken-style beef short ribs
5 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped
1/2 onion, julienned
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/2 cup oyster sauce
2 tablespoon water
2 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon black pepper
1/2 tablespoon oil
1/2 tablespoon crushed red pepper (optional)
2 teaspoons fish sauce (optional)
2 teaspoons salt
1. The Marinade. Prep your onions and garlic. Mix everything but the onions, garlic and beef in a bowl. Before you slather all your uncooked meat in this sauce, you’d probably want to taste it first. Adjust based on your personal taste. Once you’re satisfied, mix everything together. Marinade this overnight in the fridge. Please marinade it for this long, it’s worth the wait!
2. Grill. Let your meat sit in room temperature so it cooks evenly on the grill. Once your grill is nice and hot, grill your meat! Cook on each side for about 4 minutes, flipping it only once. I know it’s tempting to play with your food on the grill, but if you mess around with it too much, it won’t get the nice grill marks you want on your meat.
3. Enjoy!
