Air Fryer Korean Beef Short Ribs: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

Korean style beef short ribs, often known as kalbi or galbi, are thin slices of meat across the rib bone. They’re marinated in flavorful sauce, and traditionally grilled to perfection. However, this Korean beef short ribs air fryer recipe gives you that great caramelization with no grill required!

air fryer korean beef short ribs recipe dinners done quick

If you have the craving for barbecue flavors instead, then make sure to try out my Air Fryer Burnt Ends recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Korean beef short ribs cook up so perfectly in your air fryer. You’ll get juicy meat, the perfect level of browning, and the convenience of not having to tend them much.

They’re bursting with Asian flavors thanks to the marinade you soak them in ahead of time. You can drop them in for a couple hours, or up to overnight! I love prepping them the day before so all I need to do is cook and serve for an easy weeknight meal.

korean beef short ribs on a platter with a serving spoon

Pair these short ribs with your favorite sides for a complete meal. I’m making rice and broccoli myself, but they’re also very popular with potatoes and other tasty options.

What You’ll Need: Ingredients

ingredients to make korean beef short ribs in the air fryer
  • 2 Β½ – 3 pounds thin sliced Korean style short ribs (about 10 strips)
  • Β½ cup low sodium soy sauce
  • ΒΌ cup brown sugar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • Β½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp gochujang sauce (optional)

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

  • Korean short ribs are often referred to as kalbi, galbi, or β€œflanken” cut, and are strips of meat cut crosswise along the bones. They are usually about ½” thick, with the bones running along the bottom of the meat
  • You can sub a grated apple or Asian pear in place of the brown sugar for sweetness. Feel free to use light or dark brown sugar, both are great (and no need to pack it)!
  • The gochujang is optional, but adds just a little heat (not as strong as sriracha). You can also add a Β½ tsp of red pepper flakes instead

How to Cook Korean Style Beef Short Ribs in the Air Fryer

  1. In a large bowl or zippered bag, combine all of the ingredients except the short ribs, and mix well to combine
mix ingredients together to form a marinade
  1. Add the kalbi short ribs to the marinade, tossing well to coat
  2. Refrigerate the meat and let it marinate for at least 2 hours, but up to 24 hours
let beef short ribs marinate
  1. Remove the ribs from the refrigerator and let them begin to warm up while you preheat your air fryer to 400Β°F
  2. Place the ribs into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer
place short ribs in air fryer basket
  1. Cook on the air fry setting for 6-8 minutes at 400Β°F, stopping halfway through to flip them over and baste with the marinade
  2. Ribs are done once they’ve reached 165Β°F internal temperature. However, they will become more tender closer to 180Β°F, so feel free to cook for additional time depending on your preference and desired level of caramelization on the edges
  3. Serve hot with your favorite sides
overhead view of air fryer korean beef short ribs on a platter with rice and broccoli

What to Serve With Korean Short Ribs

  • Kimchi
  • Rice
  • Dumplings
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Broccoli
  • Lettuce wraps
  • Soup
  • Cucumber salad
  • Korean pancakes
  • Radish chips
  • Noodles
  • Caramelized onions
  • Grilled pineapple
  • Bok choy
  • Edamame

There are a variety of great side dishes you can serve with Korean short ribs to complete your meal!

Try these air fryer Korean beef short ribs with my tasty Caramelized Onions in the Air Fryer, zesty Vinegar Cucumber Onion Salad, or super quick frozen options like Bibigo Dumplings in the Air Fryer, spicy garlic Frozen Edamame in the Air Fryer, or Trader Joe’s Scallion Pancakes in the Air Fryer.

Recipe FAQs

How Long Do You Cook Korean Short Ribs in the Air Fryer?

You cook Korean short ribs in the air fryer for 6-8 minutes on average. These are thin slices of beef that are only about ½” thick, so they cook relatively quickly.

However, you may add extra time to increase the level of caramelization or rendering of the fat in them.

Are Korean Ribs the Same as Short Ribs?

Korean ribs are a type of short rib, but they are cut differently. Korean ribs are cut crosswise along the rib rack so that they form long strips with the bones at the bottom and the meat at the top.

So, while they are the same type of meat, the manner in which they are cut is different. Cooking time is less than traditional ribs as well.

What Temperature Should Korean Ribs Be?

While safe to eat around a temperature of 160Β°F, it is actually recommended to cook Korean ribs to a temperature of 170Β°F – 180Β°F. This is the point where the collagen in the meat breaks down, giving you a more tender rib.

That said, it is possible to overcook them and make them turn leathery, so cook in small increments and monitor them well.

Why Are Korean Short Ribs Expensive?

Korean short ribs are more expensive due to the marbling and quality of the meat, and the cutting process involved when compared to a regular rack of ribs. Since they take more time to prepare, you’ll pay more for that.

They cook very quickly, which makes them ideal as a time saving alternative to regular short ribs, though.

Recipe Pro Tips

  • It’s absolutely fine to cut the rib strips in half or fold them around the sides if needed to fit in your air fryer basket. Try to cut them evenly and in between bones for best results
  • If desired, add 1 tsp cornstarch to excess marinade and cook it in the microwave or on the stove until it boils and thickens, then use as a glaze
  • For very thick galbi or if you prefer yours more well done, plan to add 5 extra minutes to cooking time
  • My Korean short ribs reached 180Β°F after about 13 minutes total in a Ninja air fryer (and were safe to eat at 160Β°F at the 8 minute mark). Other air fryers may vary slightly
easy air fryer korean short ribs served with rice

Storage and Reheating

  • Store leftover cooked short ribs in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months
  • Reheat Korean kalbi ribs for 3-5 minutes in the air fryer at 400Β°F, or until warmed through

More Korean Inspired Air Fryer Recipes to Try

Final Thoughts

These kalbi Korean inspired beef short ribs in the air fryer cook perfectly in under 10 minutes! I like to throw them in the day before so they can marinate all that great flavor but I get to enjoy a quick and easy dinner.

There are so many different sides and veggies you can serve alongside these ribs to complete your meal. However, you could always get creative and cut them into individual sections to serve as finger foods at your next party as well.

Feel free to make them sweeter or spicier based on your personal preferences, but no matter what, they’re sure to be delicious!

If you don’t have time to marinate your own, check out my recipe for how to make Trader Joe’s Korean Short Ribs in the Air Fryer from frozen instead – no prep required!

air fryer korean beef short ribs recipe dinners done quick featured image

Korean Short Ribs Air Fryer Recipe (Kalbi)

Incredibly tender and juicy Korean beef short ribs cook up perfectly in the air fryer in under 10 minutes. You can marinate them the night before for a fast and easy meal.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Marinating Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 13 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Korean
Servings 4
Calories 761 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
Β Β 

  • 2 Β½ – 3 Pounds thin sliced Korean style short ribs (galbi, kalbi, or flanken style)
  • Β½ Cup low sodium soy sauce
  • ΒΌ Cup brown sugar
  • 3 Cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 1 Tsp sesame oil
  • 1 Tsp salt
  • Β½ Tsp black pepper
  • 1 Tsp ground ginger
  • 1 Tsp gochujang sauce (optional)

Instructions
Β 

  • In a large bowl or zippered bag, combine all of the ingredients except the short ribs, and mix well to combine
    Β½ Cup low sodium soy sauce, ΒΌ Cup brown sugar, 3 Cloves garlic, 2 Tbsp olive oil, 2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar, 1 Tsp sesame oil, 1 Tsp salt, Β½ Tsp black pepper, 1 Tsp ground ginger, 1 Tsp gochujang sauce
  • Add the kalbi short ribs to the marinade, tossing well to coat
    2 Β½ – 3 Pounds thin sliced Korean style short ribs
  • Refrigerate the meat and let it marinate for at least 2 hours, but up to 24 hours
  • Remove the ribs from the refrigerator and let them begin to warm up while you preheat your air fryer to 400Β°F
  • Place the ribs into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer
  • Cook on the air fry setting for 6-8 minutes at 400Β°F, stopping halfway through to flip them over and baste with the marinade
  • Ribs are done once they’ve reached 165Β°F internal temperature. However, they will become more tender closer to 180Β°F, so feel free to cook for additional time depending on your preference and desired level of caramelization on the edges
  • Serve hot with your favorite sides

Notes

  • Korean short ribs are often referred to as kalbi, galbi, or flanken cut, and are strips of meat cut crosswise along the bones. They are usually about ½” thick, with the bones running along the bottom of the meat
  • You can sub a grated apple or Asian pear in place of the brown sugar for sweetness. Feel free to use light or dark brown sugar, both are great (and no need to pack it)!
  • The gochujang is optional, but adds just a little heat (not as strong as sriracha). You can also add a Β½ tsp of red pepper flakes instead
  • It’s absolutely fine to cut the rib strips in half or fold them around the sides if needed to fit in your air fryer basket. Try to cut them evenly and in between bones for best results
  • If desired, add 1 tsp cornstarch to excess marinade and cook it in the microwave or on the stove until it boils and thickens, then use as a glaze
  • For very thick galbi or if you prefer yours more well done, plan to add 5 extra minutes to cooking time
  • My Korean short ribs reached 180Β°F after about 13 minutes total in a Ninja air fryer (and were safe to eat at 160Β°F at the 8 minute mark). Other air fryers may vary slightly
  • Store leftover cooked short ribs in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months
  • Reheat Korean kalbi ribs for 3-5 minutes in the air fryer at 400Β°F, or until warmed through
  • Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only

Nutrition

Serving: 408gCalories: 761kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 70gFat: 45gSaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 242mgSodium: 2066mgPotassium: 1202mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 0.3IUVitamin C: 2.8mgCalcium: 79mgIron: 9.4mg
Keyword air fry short ribs, air fryer beef short ribs, air fryer short ribs recipe, beef short ribs, flanken short ribs air fryer, korean beef short ribs air fryer, korean short ribs, korean short ribs air fryer, korean style beef short ribs air fryer, ninja air fryer beef short ribs, short ribs
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Katie Vine