Short Ribs Flanken Style

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If you have never tried Flanken ribs before, you are missing out on one of the most popular Asian short ribs cuisines!

I am a big fan of beef short ribs so, naturally, my hot grill is always busy on most weekends.

However, of the many different recipes for beef ribs out there, this Flanken short ribs version is one of my favorites!

When the thin strips of grilled Flanken ribs are served up with a generous amount of original Korean BBQ sauce, you will not believe what your taste buds are telling you!

I was hooked from the first time I took a bite of grilled Flanken ribs and it has been my favorite way to cook short ribs ever since!

What Are Flanken Ribs?

Also called cross-cut ribs, Flanken ribs are thin slices of beef ribs whereby the meat is cut across the bone producing small chunks that have three or four pieces of bone in them.

The meat surrounding each bone piece consists of some of the most flavorful and tender portions of beef ribs you will get.

What makes Flanken ribs so tender is that the meat is cut across the bone rather than along the grain.

You will be able to see lots of fat and connective tissue marbled within the meat, and if you use the right marinade, the results will be absolutely delicious!

What Is the Difference Between Beef Short Ribs and Flanken Short Ribs?

Usually, cutting along the grain and between the rib bones produces English-cut ribs. These can be quite long, measuring around six inches, in which case they will be called spare ribs.

Short ribs are simply English-cut spare ribs that have been cut in half.

On the other hand, when creating Flanken ribs, the rib section is cut across the bone, which produces very different-looking pieces.

The main difference between beef short ribs and Flanken ribs, besides the appearance, is that Flanken ribs require much less time to cook because they are already quite tender.

With beef short ribs, you will have to cook them slowly for quite some time before they are ready.

Therefore, if you are going to be hosting a lot of guests for a barbecue, Flanken short ribs are your best option unless you want to end up with a long line of hungry people waiting for the meat to cook.

Why You Will Love This Flanken Style Ribs Recipe

What’s not to love about a plate full of Flanken short ribs smothered in Korean BBQ sauce? There are so many good things to say about this recipe, such as:

• If you are in a race against time, this recipe is a great choice because Flanken ribs only take minutes to cook!
• The flavor is largely dependent on your choice of marinade, so you have plenty of options to play around with to help keep the food tasty and original
• While traditional short ribs are normally associated with messy eating, that is not the case with these small and delicate beef Flanken ribs
• If you are hosting a large gathering, this is a great option to help ensure that they are well-fed and that the food is ready on time
• Lastly, one of the best things about Flanken ribs is the awesome taste and flavor that is unlike any other short ribs you may have tasted

Cooking Options for Flanken Cut Short Ribs

Just like there are many ways of preparing traditional short ribs, the same can be said about Flanken ribs.

You can choose from any number of great ways to cook your Flanken short ribs, and usually, your choice depends on the type of equipment you are working with.

Flanken ribs are so thin that they cook very quickly using any of the following ways:

• Grilling
• Smoking
• Cooking under a broiler (great for days when the weather is not on your side)
• Frying in a cast iron skillet (although you will miss out on the great flavor)

Of all these options, the cooking method that takes the cake has to be grilled Flanken ribs! You just can’t beat the tender and flavorful result you get when you flip ribs on a hot grill!

While the cooking time remains the same no matter which method you are using, one thing you need to change with each cooking method is the cooking temperature. Consider the following:

• Grilled Flanken ribs are cooked at 350°F on a gas, pellet, or charcoal grill
• A smoker set at 400°F is best for smoked Flanken short ribs
• If you are cooking under a broiler, there is only one oven temperature setting
• Using high heat on a stovetop until the skillet is searing hot is best for frying

Thick Soy Sauce Makes the Difference!

Most people do not know that there are many different types of soy sauce available on the market.

Besides slight variations in taste and ingredients, one of the major differences has to do with the thickness of the soy sauces.

When making Flanken short ribs, I prefer using very thick soy sauce because I find that the flavor is a lot richer than ordinary varieties.

If you cannot find thick soy sauce, you can still use the regular variety but you will be missing out on the sweetness. You can make up for this by adding some extra brown sugar to the soy sauce.

Your local Asian store or online at Amazon are probably the best places for you to find a wide range of soy sauce options.

Notes on Important Ingredients

While cooking Flanken ribs is the easy part, a lot can go wrong if you are not careful when choosing the ingredients.

As always, take care to buy only the best quality ingredients so that you do not end up with any off flavors in your dish.

Consider the following ingredients:

Beef Ribs

Buying good quality raw meat is an art that you will only learn after a lot of trial and error.

The most important thing here is to buy from a butcher who knows the right way to cut a Flanken rib.

Lengths should be as long and uniform as possible, with the thickness of each Flanken rib not exceeding half an inch.

Sesame Oil

Sesame oil is used for flavor only in this case because I am making grilled Flanken ribs. For other recipe variations, such as frying in a skillet, it can be used for the cooking process as well.

Minced Garlic

Make sure you use only the freshest garlic for this recipe. Garlic and beef ribs traditionally go well together so it’s no surprise that this, along with some diced green onions, is an important ingredient when making Flanken ribs.

Brown Sugar

The main purpose of adding brown sugar to your beef ribs recipe is to help the Flanken ribs to caramelize properly.

However, if you are using ordinary soy sauce, the brown sugar can also be used as a thickening agent, in which case you may want to add a little bit more.

Fresh Ginger

If you want the best results for your Flanken ribs, use freshly grated ginger and you cannot go wrong!

Tips and Tricks To Make Perfect Grilled Flanken Ribs Recipe

There is not much else you can do with such a simple recipe. However, here are some handy tips that you should keep in mind the next time you prepare Flanken short ribs:

Cook Beef Flanken Ribs Hot and Fast!

Make sure your grill is as hot as possible before adding your ribs. These Flanken short ribs are cut so thin that as long as your cooking temperature is right, four minutes per side is all you will need.

Ideally, you should have just enough pink in the middle of your ribs to keep them tender and juicy.

The way Flanken ribs are cut, though, means that even if you cook them for a bit longer they will still retain their tenderness.

Brown As Much As You Want

You have a lot of freedom when it comes to how well-done your Flanken short ribs should be.

While I prefer to cook until the ribs are a rich dark brown, you can reduce the cooking time a bit if you prefer your meat rare.

The same goes for whether you prefer your meat crunchy or chewy. Just take care not to leave the ribs on the grill for too long because, unlike a flank steak, even medium-high heat will get the job done in a few minutes.

Try Marinating for Better Flavor

Flanken-cut short ribs will still taste great even if you cook them straight out of the packet. However, the flavor is greatly enhanced with a good choice of marinade.

The longer you marinate the ribs the better you will infuse the sesame oil, oyster sauce, and other marinade ingredients deep into the meat.

A few hours of soaking in the marinade will make a huge difference in the flavor but I like to go the extra mile and leave my ribs in for close to 24 hours!

What To Serve With Korean Grilled Flanken Ribs

Grilled Flanken-style ribs go very well with a large number of dishes.

Your choice of sides will largely be based on whether you wish to serve the ribs as a proper dinner, a salad, finger food during an outdoor gathering, or even as filling for sandwiches or tacos.

Consider the following options:

• Spicy edamame with red pepper flakes and Chinese green beans
• Steamed white rice
• Mashed potatoes and gravy
• French fries
• Shanghai Bok Choy stir fry
• Sweet and Sour Brussels Sprouts

Storage Instructions

Flanken ribs are very easy to preserve once they have been grilled. To store them in the refrigerator, you can place them in an airtight container or wrap them in aluminum foil. They will last for about three days.

Alternatively, you can freeze the ribs and keep them for close to two months. When you are ready to eat them, reheating can be done in a hot pan or by placing them back on the grill.

Enjoy the Delicious Flavor of Flanken Ribs!

With so many ways to enjoy Flanken ribs, there is no reason why you should not always have a packet or two of ribs in the freezer.

They are a great option to have when you are going to be entertaining your guests outdoors for a barbecue.

I have tried a variety of ways of cooking them but so far, my favorite is the grilled Flanken ribs with Korean BBQ option. Try out all the cooking methods and let me know which one you prefer!

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