Marinate and cut Flanken Style Short Ribs into tender, bite-sized pieces, and experience a burst of mouthwatering umami flavor. Serve flanken ribs for an easy weeknight dinner or as a delicious addition to your next barbecue.
This flanken short ribs recipe yields saucy, savory, subtly sweet ribs that you can enjoy as finger food. Sear the ribs to juicy perfection on the stovetop for a hearty entree that pairs perfectly with many sides.
If you love flanken style ribs, then you'll enjoy Tender Baby Back Ribs and this Instant Pot Korean Beef Bulgogi.
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What are Flanken Style Short Ribs?
Flanken short ribs, sometimes referred to as Korean-style short ribs, cross cut ribs, or Miami ribs, are beef ribs trimmed into thin strips. You cut across the bones instead of between the bone, making them easier to eat.
This cut is popular in Korean BBQ. It's common to marinate and grill ribs but for this recipe, we cook them on the stovetop.
Flanken Short Ribs Ingredients
Prepare flanken style beef short ribs with an easy soy-based marinade. Add brown sugar for depth of flavor.
- Flanken short ribs
- Soy sauce
- Brown sugar
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Ground Ginger
- Black pepper
- Salt (optional to taste)
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Cook Flanken Short Ribs
Place the short ribs in a spacious Ziplock bag and add all the ingredients, such as soy sauce, brown sugar, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger, pepper, and salt.
Remove excess air from the bag, seal it tightly, and refrigerate for at least one hour, or ideally overnight.
Cooking the short ribs:
Heat a cast-iron skillet on the stove over medium-high heat for a minute. Once hot, lay the short ribs in the skillet, flattening them.
Avoid overcrowding by cooking in batches. Sear each flanken steak on both sides for 3-5 minutes for a nice char.
After cooking both sides, take them out of the skillet and let them rest for at least 5 minutes. Repeat for the remaining short ribs.
Once cooled, enjoy the riblets as they are or cut them into pieces by each bone. Bon appétit!
Hint: Flanken short ribs need at least an hour to marinate but if time permits, marinate them for up to 24 hours. The longer they sit, the more tender and flavorful they become.
Substitutions & Variations
- Oil - Instead of olive oil, try sesame oil. It adds a toasted flavor to the meat. If you prefer a neutral tasting oil, use vegetable oil or avocado oil.
- Flanken short ribs marinade - Some recipes include mirin, a rice wine, or rice vinegar for a tangy infusion of flavor. It lightens up the savory flavors in the marinade.
- Oven - Wondering how to cook flanken short ribs in the oven? Slow cook them until tender at 325°F for about 2 hours, flipping halfway through. To replicate the sear they get on the stove, broil them in the last few minutes of cooking.
- Garnish - Looking for the perfect finish touch? Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds.
Equipment
All you need for this recipe is a Ziplock bag to marinate the short ribs and an iron skillet to cook them.
Storage
Store leftover ribs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the microwave or the air fryer.
To freeze, store completely cooled flanken short ribs in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 6 months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Top tip
Always add meat to a hot skillet. This ensures quick, even cooking. More importantly, you get a beautiful char that intensifies the flavor.
FAQ
What is the difference between short ribs and flanken?
The primary difference between short ribs and flanked ribs is the cut. Short ribs are cut parallel to the bone, resulting in long segments of meat with a section of bone. Flanken is cut across the bone, resulting in thin slices with small pieces of bone in each slice. Flanken is often associated with quick grilling or broiling due to its thin and versatile cut whereas short ribs can be prepared in various ways, including braising and slow cooking.
Is flanken the same as flank steak?
No. Flanken is a cut of a short rib. Flank steak is a lean and flavorful boneless cut of beef that comes from the abdominal muscles of the cow.
Do short ribs have bone?
Short ribs are the ribcage of the cow so they contain bones.
What should I serve with flanken cut ribs?
Flanken ribs are so versatile but I especially love them with sauteed veggies, and mashed potatoes or white rice.
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Flanken Short Ribs recipe:
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 Flanken short ribs
- ¼ cup Soy sauce
- ¼ cup Brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- ½ tablespoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Salt optional to taste
Instructions
- Place the short ribs in a large Ziplock bag then add in all of the ingredients into the bag including the soy sauce, brown sugar, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger, pepper, and salt.
- Remove as much air out of the bag as possible and zip it up well. Place the bag in the refrigerator at least one hour or overnight if possible.
- Cook the short ribs
- Place a cast iron skillet on the stove and heat it up over medium high heat for at least one minute. Once the pan is piping hot, place the short ribs in the skillet and press them out flat.
- Do not overcrowd the pan, you will have to cook them in batches. Seer each flanken steak on each side for about 3-5 minutes to get a nice char.
- Once both sides are cooked, remove it from the skillet and let it rest for at least 5 minutes. Continue cooking the remaining short ribs.
- Once the riblets have cooled, you can enjoy them as-is, or cut them in pieces right by each bone. And enjoy!
Notes
Recommended Products
Nutrition
Food Safety for Short Ribs Flanken Style
- Cook the beef to a minimum temperature of 190°F.
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- Do not use leftover marinade as a sauce. It came into contact with raw meat so discard it.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
Lindseyr says
Very Good
Tamara J. says
Thank you!
Maura says
Can I cook on an outdoor grill?
Tamara J. says
Absolutely!
Jen says
Yum