Authentic Galbi Korean BBQ Marinade Recipe for Grilled Meat Lovers

Galbi tantalizes taste buds with its mouthwatering combination of sweet and savory ingredients that elevate ordinary meat into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Savory marinades penetrate deep into tender meat, creating layers of complex flavors that dance across your palate.

Korean barbecue enthusiasts cherish this iconic dish for its perfect balance of umami-rich seasonings and succulent protein.

Sizzling grilling techniques caramelize the exterior while maintaining a juicy interior that promises incredible depth and richness.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this recipe, passing down techniques that elevate simple short ribs into a celebration of cultural cuisine.

Each bite represents a delicious journey through traditional cooking methods and carefully crafted flavor profiles.

You’ll find yourself craving this irresistible dish that connects food lovers to centuries of culinary tradition.

Galbi: Sweet and Savory Korean Grilled Ribs

• Flavor Explosion: Tangy marinade with pineapple, soy sauce, and ginger creates a mouthwatering Korean-style taste that transforms ordinary short ribs into an extraordinary culinary experience.
• Effortless Gourmet Cooking: Simple blender-to-pan method makes this restaurant-quality dish accessible for home cooks, requiring minimal cooking skills and delivering maximum flavor with minimal effort.
• Healthy Protein Pick: Low-calorie recipe packed with lean protein, featuring minimal fat content and nutritious ingredients that make it a smart choice for health-conscious food lovers.
• Versatile Meal Companion: Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings, easily paired with rice and vegetables, making it a crowd-pleasing dish that suits multiple dining occasions.

Essential Ingredients for Galbi

• Short Ribs: Premium beef cut with rich marbling that provides deep flavor and tender texture. Korean-style short ribs with bone for authentic presentation.

• Onion, Scallion Whites, Garlic: Aromatic foundation creating depth and traditional Korean flavor profile. Fresh ingredients preferred for maximum taste.
• Pineapple: Natural tenderizer that breaks down meat proteins and adds subtle sweetness. Ripe fruit recommended.
• Water: Helps blend marinade ingredients smoothly and adjust consistency.
• Ginger: Adds warm, spicy undertone and helps neutralize meats strong flavor.

• Soy Sauce: Classic Asian seasoning providing saltiness and umami depth. Low-sodium option available.
• Mirin: Sweet rice wine that balances marinade and helps caramelize meat surface.
• Sugar: Enhances caramelization and balances savory elements. White or brown sugar works.
• Sesame Oil: Authentic Korean finishing oil with rich, nutty aroma.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and rounds out marinades flavor complexity.

How to Make Authentic Galbi at Home

Step 1: Prepare Short Ribs

Rinse short ribs thoroughly under cold water. Soak the ribs in cold water for 1-3 hours to remove excess blood and impurities.

Step 2: Create Marinade

• Onion
• Scallion whites
• Garlic
• Pineapple
• Water
• Ginger
• Soy sauce
• Mirin
• Sugar
• Sesame oil
• Black pepper

Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Whisk thoroughly to ensure sugar completely dissolves. Refrigerate marinade to let flavors meld.

Step 3: Marinate Short Ribs

Rinse short ribs again to remove any remaining debris. Transfer ribs to a zip-top bag. Pour marinade over the ribs, ensuring complete coverage. Refrigerate for 12-24 hours to allow deep flavor penetration.

Step 4: Grill Short Ribs

Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Cook short ribs for 2 minutes on each side, achieving a beautiful brown char and caramelized exterior.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Let ribs rest for a few minutes to retain juices. Slice between bones for easy serving. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds. Serve alongside steamed rice and your favorite vegetable side dishes.

Tips for Grilling the Perfect Galbi

• Soak Strategically: Rinse ribs thoroughly and cold water soak helps remove excess blood and tenderize meat, ensuring a cleaner, more delicate flavor profile.
• Marinade Magic: Blend ingredients completely smooth to create an even, penetrating seasoning that infuses deep flavor into every fiber of the short ribs.
• Temperature Control: Allow marinated meat to reach room temperature before grilling, which promotes more even cooking and prevents tough, undercooked sections.
• Char Carefully: Use high heat when grilling to develop a beautiful caramelized exterior while maintaining juicy, tender meat inside.
• Resting Ritual: Let grilled ribs rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking, allowing juices to redistribute and ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor concentration.

How to Store and Enjoy Leftover Galbi

• Refrigerate: Store leftover Galbi in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain moisture and prevent other refrigerator odors from seeping in.
• Reheating: Warm the short ribs gently in a skillet over medium-low heat to preserve their tenderness. Add a splash of water or reserved marinade to prevent drying out, covering the pan to create steam and restore the meat's juiciness.
• Freezing: Wrap Galbi portions individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain the best flavor and texture.

Best Sides to Serve with Galbi

• Pair with Crisp Rice Wine: Complement the rich, savory galbi with a chilled Korean makgeolli, enhancing the meat's sweet and tangy marinade while cutting through its fatty richness.
• Match with Refreshing Cucumber Kimchi: Balance the intense flavors of the grilled short ribs with a cool, crunchy cucumber kimchi side dish, providing a zesty and acidic contrast.
• Create a Green Salad Companion: Serve alongside a light, fresh green salad with a sesame-ginger vinaigrette to add brightness and cleanse the palate between bites of the deeply flavored meat.
• Serve with Chilled Soju: Enjoy a cold shot of traditional Korean soju, which will cleanse the palate and harmonize with the caramelized, grilled notes of the galbi's charred exterior.

Fun Variations on Galbi

• Korean BBQ Fusion: Swap traditional short ribs with beef brisket or chicken thighs, maintaining the same marinade profile for a lighter protein alternative.
• Spicy Korean Kick: Incorporate gochugaru or gochujang into the marinade for an extra layer of heat and complexity, transforming the classic recipe with a fiery Korean chili punch.
• Citrus-Infused Version: Replace pineapple with fresh orange or yuzu juice to create a brighter, more tangy marinade that adds a refreshing citrus undertone to the meat.
• Vegetarian Korean Grill: Substitute short ribs with portobello mushrooms or firm tofu, marinating them similarly to capture the authentic Korean barbecue essence for plant-based eaters.

Galbi Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Korean galbi brings sizzling beef short ribs marinated in a sweet and savory sauce to your dinner table. Rich marinade and caramelized edges promise an authentic taste of Seoul’s street-side grilling tradition you’ll savor with every tender bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) beef short ribs

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup steamed rice

Garnish and Wrapping:

• Leafy vegetables (lettuce or perilla leaves)

Marinade:

• ½ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons rice wine
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly cleanse the short ribs by rinsing them under cool running water, then submerge in cold water for 1 to 3 hours to remove excess blood and impurities.
2. Create a vibrant marinade by combining onion, scallion whites, garlic, pineapple, water, and ginger in a blender. Pulse until smooth, then incorporate soy sauce, mirin, sugar, sesame oil, and black pepper. Whisk the mixture until the sugar completely dissolves, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors.
3. Drain and rinse the short ribs once more, then transfer to a sealed zip-top bag. Pour the prepared marinade over the meat, making sure each piece is evenly coated. Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours, allowing the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
4. Heat a grill pan or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the marinated short ribs from the refrigerator and let them reach room temperature for even cooking.
5. Carefully place the marinated short ribs on the hot cooking surface. Sear each side for approximately 2 minutes, creating a beautiful caramelized crust and achieving a perfect char.
6. Once cooked, transfer the ribs to a clean cutting board and let them rest for 3-5 minutes to retain their juices and ensure maximum tenderness.
7. Slice the short ribs between the bones, creating individual portions. Arrange on a serving platter, garnish with fresh herbs or green onions, and serve alongside steamed rice and roasted vegetables.

Notes

• Soak meat thoroughly to remove excess blood, ensuring a cleaner, more refined flavor profile.
• Blending ingredients creates a complex marinade that tenderizes and infuses rich Korean-style taste.
• Marinating overnight allows deep penetration of seasonings, transforming tough meat into melt-in-your-mouth delicacy.
• High-heat grilling develops beautiful caramelization, creating irresistible charred edges and smoky undertones.
• Resting meat after cooking helps retain juices, guaranteeing maximum tenderness and spectacular dining experience.
• Serving with traditional side dishes elevates this classic Korean barbecue dish into a memorable meal.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 200 kcal
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 10mg
• Fat: 0.5g
• Saturated Fat: 0.1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 44g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 0mg