Traeger Kalbi Beef Short Ribs are a quick and easy recipe that is full of flavor and is sure to be a family favorite in your house.
Traeger Kalbi Beef Short Ribs
If you're into quick cooks with big flavor, these Traeger Kalbi beef short ribs are exactly what you need. We’re talking thin-sliced, marinated beef short ribs, grilled hot and fast over a pellet flame. The marinade’s full of salty-sweet Korean BBQ flavor with soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and sesame oil. After a short soak, they hit a hot Traeger for just a few minutes per side. That’s it. No low-and-slow wait, just smoky, caramelized ribs straight off the grill.
Kalbi is Korean-style short ribs, and if you’ve never tried them, you’re missing out. This cut cooks lightning fast and takes marinades like a champ.
These are perfect for feeding a crowd. They cook quick, look impressive, and taste even better. Serve them over rice or wrap in lettuce with kimchi and gochujang.
You don’t need a long ingredient list or hours of prep. Just thin-cut short ribs, a solid marinade, and your Traeger set to high.
Why You'll Love This Dish#
- Quick Cook Time – Just 8 minutes on the grill once it's hot.
- Big, Bold Flavors – Classic Korean BBQ marinade packed with umami.
- Grill-Ready Cut – Thin-sliced beef short ribs cook fast and stay tender.
- Perfect For Entertaining – Easy to make a big batch with minimal work.
- Flexible Serving Options – Great over rice, with veggies, or in wraps.
Grilled Korean-Style Flanken Short Ribs
Recipe Shopping List
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here's the list of items you'll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Beef Short Ribs, Thin-Sliced – Look for flanken-cut ribs, about ¼-inch thick. Ideal for Korean-style grilling.
- Soy Sauce – Base of the marinade, brings salt and depth.
- Brown Sugar – Adds sweetness and helps with caramelization.
- Mirin (Rice Wine) – Slightly sweet rice wine that balances the salty flavors.
- Minced Garlic – Strong, aromatic base that works beautifully with beef.
- Sesame Oil – Adds nutty, toasted flavor and aroma.
- Finely Grated Onion – Adds moisture, sweetness, and flavor to the marinade.
How To Make This Recipe
This is just the overview so you can see what you're actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you'll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
- Mix The Marinade – Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, Mirin, garlic, sesame oil, and grated onion in a medium bowl.
- Marinate The Ribs – Add ribs and make sure they’re fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for 1–6 hours.
- Preheat The Traeger – Set to high heat and let it fully preheat.
- Grill The Ribs – Place ribs directly on the grates. Cook 4 minutes per side with the lid closed as much as possible.
- Serve – Remove and rest briefly. Serve over rice or alongside grilled veggies.
Recipe FAQ
Aim for 1 to 6 hours. More than that, and the salt and sugar in the marinade can start to cure the meat.
Yes. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently or enjoy cold in wraps or salads.
Absolutely. Marinate, freeze in a bag, then thaw overnight before grilling.
Ask your butcher for Korean-style short ribs. You can’t sub with the thick English cut, this recipe needs that thin slice to cook right.
Now, I'm not saying that you should stray from the recipe here, however as a guy with a large family I understand the desire to save time, so if you're going to get a premixed marinade I would suggest you get one from an Asian food market, or if you can find it, in a plastic tub in the refrigerated section by your meat department. Those will be the highest quality versions you can get.
Recipe Tips
- Less is more. The marinade is thick enough to stick, so don't marinate longer than six hours. One hour is plenty.
- Go for the char. Cook them on your Traeger set on high. A little char never hurt anyone.
- Make sure you pre-heat the Traeger so when you put them on you hear the sizzle.
- Don't overcook them. Four to five minutes per side.
- Don't overload your grill. It will bring the temperature down and you won't get any good markings or char.
- Best served over a bed of rice along with any Asian inspired appetizers you know. We have a great egg roll recipe here as well as a fried dumpling that you'll love!
These Traeger beef short ribs are as easy to cook as a burger or a chicken breast. Heck, they may be easier. The marinade is simple, and the prep time is only ten to fifteen minutes.
Traeger Kalbi Beef Short Ribs
Traeger Kalbi beef short ribs are the easy, and delicious way to begin your culinary journey into the many wonders of Korean cuisine.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds beef short ribs, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/8 cup mirin, (rice wine)
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/8 cup finely grated onion
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, Mirin, garlic, sesame oil, and grated onion.
- Add the beef short ribs to the mixed marinade in the bowl, covering the meat completely.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 1-6 hours.
- Start your Traeger grill and turn it up to high. Make sure the grill is properly pre-heated.
- Remove marinated meat from the refrigerator and place directly on the grill surface. Close grill as fast as you can, to make sure you lose as little heat as possible.
- Cook for four minutes, then turn and cook on the other side for another four minutes. Pull the meat off the grill and serve on a bed of rice along with your favorite grilled vegetables.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 702Total Fat: 45gSaturated Fat: 19gUnsaturated Fat: 26gCholesterol: 186mgSodium: 1267mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 0gSugar: 23gProtein: 50g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!