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Korean Braised Short Ribs

These short ribs are a classic comforting bowl of hearty braised meat with tender vegetables, with a fragrant Asian flair. The braised beef is so succulent and tender, it falls off the bone and is nestled in a spiked ragù of garlic and ginger braised vegetables. First, the short ribs are seared to a golden browned exterior that locks in their flavor, and then the vegetables are added along with the liquid for the short ribs to bathe. Gochujang, the Korean fermented chili paste, brings a spicy heat to the braising liquid and is accompanied by palm sugar, soy sauce, white wine, and stock. The whole pot is popped in the oven, and after 3 ½ hours, you have succulent meat and reduced, thick ragù perfection!
Whole Pot Close Up Spoon and Cilantro Korean Short Ribs
overhead shot of Korean braised beef in a bowl with serving dish above and a serving spoon

The Ingredients Are Below 

Bone-in Short Ribs: I like to use a bone-in short rib for this recipe as the bone helps lock in moisture for the meat and makes it extra tender. I also like how the marrow inside the bones seeps out into the sauce, adding a bit of coagulation and thickness to the ragù.

Coconut Oil: I use coconut oil to sear the beef ribs because it has a high smoking point and adds additional sweetness to the dish. I like to buy unrefined coconut oil that is less processed. 

Toasted Sesame Oil: Always buy a toasted sesame oil with a dark brown color for a richer, nuttier flavor. After the ribs have been seared, I add a spot of toasted sesame oil into the pan to sauté the vegetables. I like to impart a little bit of the sesame flavor into the dish, as it pairs wonderfully with the soy sauce and the Gochujang. 

Garlic and Ginger: This combination adds the perfect amount of aromatics for the ragù. They provide fantastic flavor and subtle heat that permeates into the rest of the vegetables. 

Carrot, Celery, and Onion: This is a classic vegetable combination that is the base and flavoring agent for many traditional ragù and sauces. In French terminology, this combination is called the mirepoix. The word was coined in France back in the eighteenth century when a French aristocrat’s chef first used it. These vegetables are sautéed in butter/and or oil until tender, and then other ingredients are added to fuse with these flavors.

Scallions: I love using green onion for its color and delicacy. They add a nice sweet flavor when they are sautéed and add a silkiness to the ragù. 

Red Apple: Traditionally, in Korean recipes, Asian pear is used as a sweetening agent in many marinades and sauces. Because of ease and access, I decided to use an apple that works fantastically as well. The grated apple breaks down into the vegetables and gives the ragù a subtle extra sweetness and thickening power to the sauce. 

Palm Sugar: I like to use coconut palm sugar as my sweetening agent. This sugar has both a low glycemic index and low fructose levels. It contains antioxidants, minerals, is unrefined, and contains no chemical breakdown alterations or artificial ingredients. It is pure and simple! 

Gochujang: This is a fermented Korean chili paste that adds depth, flavor, and heat to the braising liquid. It contains other ingredients such as fermented soybeans, salt, sweeteners, glutinous rice, and other stabilizers. I like to use the brand Mother in Law’s, as it has no MSG and has pure discernible ingredients with no stabilizers. This paste is quite spicy, so use a little and taste. You can always add more if you can handle the heat! 

BRAISING LIQUID 

(Soy Sauce, White Wine, Chicken Stock)

Soy Sauce: I always use low-sodium soy sauce to be healthier. However, any soy sauce will work for this recipe. Tamari is also fantastic! 

White Wine: White wine is used to deglaze the pot after the short ribs have been seared. I prefer white wine over red, as it is more subtle and softer. This recipe places a large focus on the key ingredients of the vegetables and meat, and the other ingredients are there to enhance their flavor. I tend to use a rounded Chardonnay when cooking with white wine. I don’t like to use anything that is overwhelmingly sweet.

Chicken Stock: I like to use chicken stock for this recipe instead of beef stock, so the ragù does not get too intense. Chicken stock is a milder and lighter flavor. Beef stock will work as well; it will just make a more intense ragù. 

raw beef ready to cook
various ingredients ready to make braised beef: sesame oil, soy sauce, wine, coconut palm sugar and stock
a chopping board with sliced onion, garlic, ginger, green onions and carrot
green onions chopped on a board with apple

SEARING THE SHORT RIBS BEFORE BRAISING: Searing the short ribs before braising gives the ribs a lovely darkened exterior and crust and locks in moisture, making the meat much more tender. I love using cast iron to sear my meats. This recipe is perfect for any cast iron Dutch oven. This wrought iron is a fantastic conductor of heat and always gives my protein a beautifully caramelized crust. The key to perfectly searing your short ribs in the cast iron is NOT to TOUCH them! The short rib’s first side is placed down into the smoking hot cast iron coated with coconut oil. If you move the ribs around or flip them, you will be disengaging them from the heat source. By doing this, you do not allow the heat to properly penetrate the short ribs through the heated cast iron to get a beautiful golden-brown crust. Once this color is achieved on the first side, flip the ribs, and the second side will take less than half the time to achieve the golden crust.

BRAISING: Braising is when you cook meat in liquid for a long time to add moisture and make it more tender. Usually, braised meats are for tougher cuts of meat that need more cooking time. Short ribs are a perfect example of a meat that needs to be braised. For the beef to fall off the bone, it needs to cook in the braising liquid for at least 3-31/2 hours. 

Korean braised beef in a bowl with a spoon ready to eat
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Whole Pot Close Up Spoon and Cilantro Korean Short Ribs

Korean Braised Short Ribs

These Korean braised short ribs are the perfect comforting bowl of tender braised meat and vegetables. The braising liquid is spiked with the Korean fermented chili paste, Gochujang, along with soy sauce, palm sugar, wine, and stock. The meat is braised for 3 ½ hours until the meat is so tender it falls off the bone, and the braising liquid becomes a beautifully thick and fragrant ragù.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 day 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 50 minutes
Course Meat Mains
Cuisine Korean
Servings 6 people
Calories 731 kcal

Ingredients
  

Short Ribs

  • 5 lbs bone-in short ribs
  • 1 ½ tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1- inch knob ginger, peeled and minced
  • 3 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 6 scallions, minced
  • 1 red apple, grated
  • 3 ½ tbsp palm sugar
  • 1 tbsp Gochujang
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 2 quarts 64 ounces chicken stock
  • Coconut Oil for searing
  • Cilantro for garnish

Instructions
 

Short Ribs

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Season the short ribs with salt on both sides.
  • Heat a cast-iron Dutch oven over moderate heat and coat with coconut oil.
  • Allow for the oil to glisten, and then place the short ribs in the pot. Cook for 3-4 minutes until a golden-brown crust is achieved.
  • Flip the short ribs and continue to cook until both sides are golden brown.
  • Remove the short ribs from the pot and reserve.
  • Add the sesame oil to the pot and allow for it to glisten. Add the garlic, ginger, carrots, celery, and onion. Season with salt and cook until the onion is translucent, and the vegetables are tender around 3-4 minutes.
  • Add the scallions, apple, palm sugar, and Gochujang and cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the sugar and Gochujang to caramelize.
  • Add the soy sauce, wine, and stock and cover the pot, and place in the oven.
  • Cook for 3 ½ hours until the meat is tender, and the braising liquid has reduced by half and turned into a thick ragù. Season to taste with salt. Serve with some cilantro sprigs.

Nutrition

Calories: 731kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 63gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 172mgSodium: 1213mgPotassium: 1581mgFiber: 2gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 5253IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 67mgIron: 7mg
Keyword braised beef recipe, Korean braised beef, Korean Braised Short Ribs, Korean food, short ribs recipe
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About Sarah
Sarah blair

Adding a generous dose of enthusiasm, excitement, and creativity to the culinary world, Sarah began her career at the French Culinary Institute in NYC. Sarah has worked for the past decade as a Culinary Producer and Food Stylist.

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