Korean BBQ Short Ribs (Kalbi)

An update: This korean BBQ short rib recipe is one of my earlier entries but I think, ribs as good as these deserve a re-introduction. So, here they are at the spotlight again and just in time for grilling season. You can actually cook them any way you want, as they are perfect pan-fried, grilled or broiled!

I found the ribs on sale that Saturday in November at the asian market I frequent in Cerritos, CA. They were a very good deal at $1.99/lb when they normally run around $3.99+/lb. I would have stocked up but the store had a limit of 5 lbs per family. After I got helped with my meat, I went in search for ready-made korean BBQ sauce. Hmmm, the store was making up on the sale of the ribs through the price of the marinade-$4.99 for a 16 oz bottle. Not even enough to fully cover 2 lbs of meat. I read the ingredients on the label: pear juice, soy sauce, garlic, onions, sugar, salt, and pepper. Yep, the marinade was easy enough to replicate in my kitchen!

I marinated them that night, pan-fried them the next day, and they transformed to bare bones before I could set up the table for dinner. My daughter and husband took turns grabbing as one rib after another left the pan. Couldn’t blame them-the one piece I was fortunate to score away from this greedy duo was addictingly delicious!

Makes 4 Servings

5 lbs korean-style short ribs
1 cup pineapple juice
1 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup sugar
1 large onion, minced
1 head garlic, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

In a bowl, mix pineapple juice, soy sauce, sugar, onions, garlic, salt and pepper. Add in ribs.
Marinate overnight in refrigerator.

Pan-fry, grill or broil as desired until brown and tender.

TIPS:
1) I substituted pineapple juice as for the life of me, I couldn’t find pear juice in all of the supermarkets I checked! Try adding applesauce or pureed canned pears for a touch of natural sweetness to the marinade.
2) Marinating overnight is recommended to achieve full flavor.
3) I used my food processor to almost-puree the onions and garlic.

 

Recipes with an Asian Flair in The CookMobile Archive:

Hibachi Steak

 

 

 

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