Charcoal-Grilled Korean-Style Beef Short Ribs

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender beef short ribs marinated in a savory-sweet Korean sauce, grilled over charcoal for a smoky, caramelized finish. This korean-inspired grilling ready in about 20 minutes pairs flanken-cut beef short ribs, soy sauce, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 2 sliced green onions, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, whisking until sugar dissolves and mixture is fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Place 2 lbs flanken-cut beef short ribs in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over the meat, turning to coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight.
  3. Step 3: Prepare a charcoal grill and let the coals burn until covered with white ash, creating medium-high direct heat.
  4. Step 4: Remove the short ribs from marinade, letting excess drip off. Grill ribs over direct heat for about 3-4 minutes per side until charred edges form and meat is cooked through but still juicy.
  5. Step 5: Transfer ribs to a serving platter, sprinkle with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, and garnish with additional sliced green onions if desired.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Charcoal-Grilled Korean-Style Beef Short Ribs take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Charcoal-Grilled Korean-Style Beef Short Ribs?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep flanken-cut beef short ribs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Charcoal-Grilled Korean-Style Beef Short Ribs?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Charcoal-Grilled Korean-Style Beef Short Ribs for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Charcoal-Grilled Korean-Style Beef Short Ribs?

Korean grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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