Grilled Korean-Style Beef Short Ribs with Sesame-Garlic Marinade

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Marinated beef short ribs grilled to perfection with a savory sesame-garlic sauce, served with scallions and a hint of sweetness for a classic Korean BBQ experience. This Korean-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil 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: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 3 thinly sliced green onions, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds to create the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 lbs flanken-cut beef short ribs to the marinade, turning to coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat and brush the grates with 1 tbsp vegetable oil to prevent sticking. Remove ribs from marinade, letting excess drip off.
  4. Step 4: Grill the short ribs for 3-4 minutes per side, or until nicely charred and cooked to medium-rare to medium doneness.
  5. Step 5: Remove from grill, let rest for 5 minutes, then slice between bones and serve over steamed rice if desired, garnished with extra scallions and sesame seeds.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Korean-Style Beef Short Ribs with Sesame-Garlic Marinade take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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 Grilled Korean-Style Beef Short Ribs with Sesame-Garlic Marinade?

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 soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Korean-Style Beef Short Ribs with Sesame-Garlic Marinade?

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 Grilled Korean-Style Beef Short Ribs with Sesame-Garlic Marinade 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 Grilled Korean-Style Beef Short Ribs with Sesame-Garlic Marinade?

Korean bbq & smoked 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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