After trying many recipes for homemade kalbi, I found this great kalbi (Korean BBQ short ribs) authentic recipe from a friend who learned it from his mom. It’s sweet, salty, spicy, and very tender (thanks to the Coke). I use this same recipe to make bulgogi and dae ji bool gogi (spicy pork) and simply change the onions to sliced bulbs for the bulgogi.
Preparation Details
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 2 hrs 25 mins
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- ¾ cup cola-flavored carbonated beverage (such as Coca-Cola)
- ¼ cup white sugar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup water
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 ½ teaspoons sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 pounds short ribs
Steps
- Whisk cola, sugar, soy sauce, water, green onions, sesame oil, garlic, sesame seeds, and black pepper together in a bowl until combined. Pour into a resealable plastic bag. Add short ribs, coat with marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. Remove short ribs from marinade, discarding marinade.
- Cook until browned and reach desired doneness, 3 to 4 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).