This flanken cut grilled beef short ribs recipe is made with a spicy lemongrass chili marinade, it cooks fast, and it's full of Asian flavors. Grilled short ribs are easier to make than you think and you'll have them on the table in about 30 minutes!
Yes! You can grill beef short ribs! Aren't you excited? I'm excited. Well, why wouldn't I be? Having a new idea for something to throw on the grill is always a good thing.
Believe it or not, grilling beef short ribs is quick if you use flanken cut short ribs because they are sliced across the bone like a steak. This easy, spicy marinade has just enough heat, balanced with bright ginger and lemongrass.
This is the perfect summer grilling recipe - it's easy, it's fast, it's spicy, it's beefy - what more do you want from me, here? When the seasons change, make Red Wine Braised Short Ribs with English cut short ribs for a hearty yet elegant winter meal.
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Grilled beef short ribs recipe ingredients
- Flanken cut short ribs: For this recipe, you'll be grilling beef short ribs that are cut flanken style. This means that they are cut across the bone, so they are long and thin, instead of the short, fat English cut variety.
- Red Fresno chilis: Fresno chilis are about the same spice level as jalapeños, but they are fruitier.
- Lemongrass: Don't be afraid of the lemongrass stalks! It is really easy to work with and full of beautiful flavor and aroma.
- Ginger and garlic: Use fresh ginger, not the frozen cubes which have additives. The garlic in the marinade recipe will get distributed into the fat of the short ribs for great aroma on the grill and when serving.
- Brown sugar: We need a little brown sugar for sweetness to balance all of those aromatics.
- Sesame oil: Sesame oil adds a great nuttiness but is very strong so we only need a small amount.
- Kosher salt: Always salt the meat ahead of time because it will take a while to absorb it.
How to cook beef short ribs on the grill
Recipe adapted from Bon Appétit.
Step 1: Season the short ribs:
Place the beef short ribs in a glass casserole dish. Season with salt. Leave them out of the fridge to come to room temperature, at least 15 minutes, and up to two hours.
Step 2: Make the lemongrass chili marinade
Trim the tops off the lemongrass down to the tender part toward the bottom of the stem. Remove the tough outer layers, and roughly chop it.
Slice the chiles in half and remove the seeds and ribs. Peel the ginger, and slice it into rounds.
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Place ginger, lemongrass, peppers, vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, and brown sugar into a blender or food processor and purée until smooth.
I used my Cuisinart mini food processor to make the sauce in this photo, but doing it in the blender will make it smoother. Either works fine, just a difference in texture.
Step 3: Marinate the short ribs
Coat the short ribs with the marinade and allow to marinate for about 15 minutes.
Step 4: Grill the short ribs
Meanwhile, heat your grill to medium high. Place the short ribs on the grill and cook to 2-5 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness.
Beef short ribs grilling tip
Beef short ribs have a lot of fat, so when grilling them, make sure you don't get the heat too high or you'll get flare ups.
FAQ
You can grill short ribs just like a steak. Cook to 130 degrees F for medium rare. Don't over cook or this cut will get tough.
Short ribs can be cut two different ways: English which are cut between the bones, or flanken. Flanken means the short ribs are cut across the bone, so instead of having short, thick pieces of meat with one bone, you have a longer, flatter piece of meat with a row of small bones on one side. Flanken means the short rib looks more like a steak.
Flanken cut beef short ribs cook fast when grilled. They are usually no more than an inch thick, so anywhere from 2-6 minutes per side will do the trick, depending on how done you want them.
The number one rule is: let it sit until it releases!! Generally, when any food - veggies, meat, etc., is ready to flip, it will "release" from the grill grates. If you try to flip and it's still sticking, don't force it, just give it another minute or two and check again. And be sure to start with grill grates that are clean.
What to serve on the side
- Fridge pickles will cool down the spice and cut through the fat of the meat.
- Strawberry Arugula Salad with Basil and Mint is a great way to start.
- Keep the smoky flavors going with Charred Broccoli with Calabrian Chili Paste and Lemon Yogurt Sauce.
- Peach crumble makes an excellent summer dessert.
More griling recipes
- Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Chimichurri Sauce will give you a taste of Argentina.
- Grilled Turkey Burgers are simplicity at its finest.
- Roasted Vegetable Salad with Charred Lemon Vinaigrette will blow your mind by using whole grilled lemons in the dressing.
- Try this Beer Brats Recipe for an easy backyard party option.
Flanken grilled beef short ribs cook fast and really satisfy!
- Flanken short ribs are sliced thinly across the bone so they cook fast on the grill!
- The spicy lemongrass chili marinade stands up to the beefy flavor of the short ribs even after they're grilled!
- They have plenty of fat, so they remain tender and flavorful—as long as you don't overcook them!
- Flanken grilled short ribs are a fun way to change up the cuts of meat you use in your go-to grilling recipes.
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Recipe
Spicy Lemongrass Grilled Short Ribs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 lbs short ribs cut flanken style, across the bone
Lemongrass- Chile Sauce
- 4 red Fresno chilis roughly chopped
- 3 lemongrass stalks, roughly chopped bottom part only, outer layers removed
- 1 3-inch piece of ginger
- 3 garlic cloves smashed
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- ¼ cup vegetable oil canola or grapeseed
- 3 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
Instructions
Lemongrass-Chili Sauce
- Trim the tops off the lemongrass down to the tender part toward the bottom of the stem. Remove the tough outer layers, and roughly chop it.
- Slice the chiles in half and remove the seeds and ribs.
- Peel the ginger, and slice it into rounds.
- Place ginger, lemongrass, peppers, vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, and brown sugar into a blender or food processor and purée until smooth.
Prep the short ribs:
- Place the beef short ribs in a glass casserole dish. Season with salt, and let sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes and up to two hours.
- Coat the short ribs with the chile sauce and allow to marinate for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, heat your grill to medium.
- Place the short ribs on the grill and cook to medium-rare. Depending upon the thickness of the short ribs, 2 - 5 minutes per side for medium-rare.
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Notes
- Be sure to purchase "flanken style" short ribs that are cut across the bone.
- Don't turn the heat on the grill up too high, short ribs have a lot of fat and you could get flare-ups.
- Recipe adapted from Bon Appétit.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated as an estimate. Calorie accuracy is not guaranteed.
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