Dinner

Homemade Korean Bulgogi Beef Short Ribs Recipe

Name: Homemade Korean Bulgogi Beef Short Ribs Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 4 h 23 min
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: 1/2 cup Soy Sauce (Substitute with gluten-free tamari for a gluten-free recipe.); 1/4 cup Brown Sugar (Can be replaced with coconut sugar for a different sweetness.); 1/4 cup Mirin (Ensure it’s gluten-free if necessary.); 2 tablespoons Honey; 2 tablespoons Sesame Oil; 6 cloves Garlic (Minced); 1 medium Asian Pear (Or Bosc Pear, or Apple, grated); 1 medium Onion (Grated); 1 teaspoon Black Pepper (Fresh ground preferred); 2 pounds Flanken-cut Beef Short Ribs; 2 tablespoons Green Onions (Finely chopped); 1 tablespoon Toasted Sesame Seeds

Bylina moretti March 26, 2026March 26, 2026

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Introduction

Korean Bulgogi Beef Short Ribs are a flavorful and tender dish that showcases the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Marinated in a rich blend of soy sauce, pear, and spices, these ribs are grilled to caramelized perfection. This recipe is ideal for a special dinner or weekend barbecue.

The dish shows several thick slices of grilled meat, dark brown with a shiny glaze, topped with chopped green onions and sprinkled with white sesame seeds. To the left, there is a pile of thin cucumber slices with some sesame seeds, and on the right, shredded bright orange carrots also sprinkled with sesame seeds. All the food is arranged neatly in a white bowl, set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/2 cup Soy Sauce (Substitute with gluten-free tamari for a gluten-free recipe)
1/4 cup Brown Sugar (Can be replaced with coconut sugar for a different sweetness)
1/4 cup Mirin (Ensure it’s gluten-free if necessary)
2 tablespoons Honey
2 tablespoons Sesame Oil
6 cloves Garlic (Minced)
1 medium Asian Pear (Or Bosc Pear, or Apple)
1 medium Onion (Grated)
1 teaspoon Black Pepper (Fresh ground preferred)
2 pounds Flanken-cut Beef Short Ribs
2 tablespoons Green Onions (Finely chopped)
1 tablespoon Toasted Sesame Seeds

Instructions

Step 1: Rinse the flanken-cut beef short ribs under cold water, then pat them dry with a paper towel.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated Asian pear, grated onion, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth.
Step 3: Coat each rib with the marinade, place in a container, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
Step 4: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
Step 5: Remove ribs from marinade and grill for 3–4 minutes on each side until caramelized.
Step 6: Arrange grilled ribs on a platter and garnish with green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot.

Tips & Variations

Use an apple if Asian pear is unavailable; it adds natural sweetness that tenderizes the meat.
For a gluten-free version, make sure to use tamari instead of soy sauce and gluten-free mirin.
Marinate overnight for even deeper flavor and tenderness.

Storage

Store leftover bulgogi ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through, avoiding overcooking to keep the meat tender.

How to Serve

A white bowl contains three main parts: thick slices of glazed grilled beef with a dark, shiny caramelized crust, sprinkled with white sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top, positioned in the center and bottom right; to the left are bright green cucumber slices mixed with herbs and sesame seeds; behind the beef, on the top right, is a pile of shredded orange carrots topped with white sesame seeds, all placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef?

While flanken-cut short ribs are traditional for this recipe, you can use other cuts like skirt steak or ribeye sliced thinly. Adjust cooking times accordingly to avoid overcooking.

Is it necessary to grill the ribs?

Grilling gives the ribs their signature caramelized exterior, but you can also cook them under a broiler or in a hot skillet if a grill isn’t available.