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A plate with kalbi, kimchi, and brussels sprouts.
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5 from 1 vote

Hawaiian Kalbi (Short Rib) Recipe

This mouthwatering Hawaiian short rib, or Hawaiian Kalbi recipe, will transport your taste buds to the beautiful islands of Hawaii.
Whether you're looking to impress your guests at a backyard barbecue or simply craving a taste of Hawaii, this recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings.
Prep Time4 hours
Cook Time10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Hawaiian
Servings: 1
Calories: 330kcal
Author: Clara

Equipment

  • Cast Iron

Ingredients

Kalbi Marinade

  • 2 tablespoon Soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Mirin
  • 1 tsp Brown Sugar
  • ½ Pear
  • 1 cloves Garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Ginger
  • 1 teaspoon Sesame oil

Beef and Garnishes

  • 4 oz Beef (Boneless short rib, chuck tail flap)
  • Furikake and green onion (For garnish)

Instructions

  • Make the Kalbi marinade – Add the garlic, onion, sugar, mirin, soy sauce, sesame oil, and pear into a blender. Add a tablespoon of water at a time as needed to help the mixture blend properly. 
  • Marinade the beef – In a large flat bowl, pour the marinade over the beef and let marinade for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  • Cook the Kalbi – Heat a cast iron skillet or grill pan over the stove to medium-high heat. Dry the beef as much as possible and cook the beef for about 3 minutes on each side for a medium–rare doneness. If you have a meat thermometer, I would recommend using one for precision, as various meat thicknesses will change this time.
    Let the meat cool for about 5 minutes so the juices will flow back in before cutting it into small pieces.
  • Garnish and enjoy – Garnish with scallions and furikake, serve with sides, and enjoy your Hawaiian Kalbi!

Notes

Substitutions and Variations
Substitute brown sugar – Granulated sugar, honey, and stevia are some options. 
Make Korean kalbi – Omit the brown sugar and use normal sugar or honey. 
Expert Tips
Fully dry the steak before cooking – Cooking the beef in a pool of liquid will cause it to boil instead of giving it a nice sear.
Guide to how long to cook steak for – How long to cook kalbi will depend on 2 factors: the thickness of the beef and your preference for how well-done the beef is. Given the variety of thicknesses of different cuts, it’s best to get a meat thermometer to get an accurate read of the internal temperature of the steak. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 79mg | Sodium: 2199mg | Potassium: 550mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 23IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 4mg