When it comes to elevating your outdoor cooking experience, few dishes compare to the succulent, rich flavor of perfectly grilled flanken ribs. This mouth-watering cut of beef is a true crowd-pleaser, offering an ideal balance of meatiness and tender marbling. Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or just starting your barbecue journey, grilling flanken ribs on a high-performance machine like the Monument Denali 605 Pro grill promises an unforgettable culinary adventure that will impress family and friends alike.
Flanken ribs, often recognized for their popularity in Korean barbecue (Kalbi), are distinguished by their unique cut, which slices across the bone, resulting in thin, flavorful strips of meat. This particular style allows for quick cooking and excellent flavor absorption, making them a fantastic choice for any grilling enthusiast. From a casual backyard gathering to a festive family dinner, these ribs are guaranteed to be the star of the show.
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Why Flanken Ribs Are a Grilling Game Changer
Flanken ribs, a distinct cut of beef short ribs, stand out for several compelling reasons. Unlike traditional short ribs that are cut parallel to the bone, flanken ribs are cut across the bones, leaving thin strips of meat intertwined with small sections of bone. This unique preparation offers several advantages:
- Unmatched Tenderness and Flavor: The cut ensures each bite is packed with both lean meat and rich, intramuscular fat (marbling). This marbling renders beautifully during grilling, infusing the meat with incredible juiciness and a deep, savory flavor.
- Quick Cooking Time: Their thin profile means flanken ribs cook much faster than thicker cuts of meat. This makes them perfect for weeknight meals or when you need a delicious grilled dish without spending hours at the barbecue.
- Excellent Marinade Absorption: The larger surface area created by the cross-cut allows marinades to penetrate deeply and quickly, ensuring maximum flavor in every strip. This is particularly beneficial for complex marinades like those used in Korean BBQ.
- Forgiving on the Grill: While it’s always best to monitor temperatures, the fat content in flanken ribs helps prevent them from drying out, even if cooked slightly past your preferred doneness. This makes them an excellent choice for beginner grillers looking to build confidence.
- Versatile Culinary Canvas: While famous for Korean-style preparations, flanken ribs can be seasoned and grilled with a variety of flavors, from classic American BBQ rubs to Mediterranean herbs, offering endless culinary possibilities.
Mastering Your Monument Denali 605 Pro Grill
To truly unlock the potential of flanken ribs, a reliable and powerful grill is essential. The Monument Denali 605 Pro grill is engineered for grillers who demand precision, durability, and outstanding performance. This isn’t just a grill; it’s a statement of quality and a powerful tool in your outdoor kitchen arsenal.
Here’s why the Monument Denali 605 Pro is ideally suited for grilling flanken ribs and beyond:
- Powerful Burners for High Heat: Flanken ribs thrive on high heat to achieve that perfect char and caramelization (Maillard reaction) on the exterior while keeping the interior juicy. The Denali 605 Pro’s robust burners deliver consistent, intense heat, ensuring you can sear effectively and efficiently.
- Generous Cooking Surface: With its expansive cooking area, you can easily grill a large batch of ribs for a crowd without overcrowding the grates. This also allows for setting up multiple cooking zones – essential for versatile grilling.
- Even Heat Distribution: Hot spots can be the bane of any griller. The Monument Denali 605 Pro is designed to provide uniform heat across the entire cooking surface, guaranteeing that every piece of rib cooks evenly, preventing some from burning while others remain undercooked.
- Integrated Digital Thermometer: Precision is key in grilling. The built-in digital thermometer provides accurate internal temperature readings, taking the guesswork out of cooking. For flanken ribs, monitoring the internal temperature is crucial for achieving that ideal medium-rare to medium doneness, ensuring tender, juicy results every time.
- Durable Construction: Built to withstand the elements and the rigors of frequent use, the Denali 605 Pro is a long-term investment for any serious grilling enthusiast. Its sturdy construction means reliable performance for years to come.
- Additional Features: Many Monument Denali grills come with features like a side burner, allowing you to prepare sauces or side dishes simultaneously, and LED-lit control knobs, which are great for evening grilling sessions. These thoughtful additions enhance the overall grilling experience.
Crafting the Perfect Marinade: The Heart of Flavor
The secret to truly exceptional flanken ribs lies in the marinade. A well-crafted marinade not only infuses the meat with incredible flavor but also helps tenderize it, preparing it for a quick grill. For Korean-style flanken ribs, the marinade is a symphony of sweet, savory, and aromatic notes.
To begin, select your favorite marinade recipe. A classic Korean kalbi marinade typically includes soy sauce for umami, mirin for a subtle sweetness and depth, pineapple nectar for its tenderizing enzymes (bromelain), brown sugar for caramelization, sesame seeds for nuttiness, minced garlic and chopped onion for pungent aromatics, ground ginger for a zesty kick, sesame oil for richness, and black pepper. For those who enjoy a bit of heat, gochujang (Korean chili paste) is an excellent optional addition.
Combine all marinade ingredients thoroughly in a bowl. Once mixed, place your flanken ribs in a freezer bag or a shallow dish, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Pour the marinade over the ribs, making sure each piece is fully coated. It’s crucial to reserve at least one cup of the fresh marinade for basting during grilling or for serving as a dipping sauce later. This reserved portion should not come into contact with the raw meat to prevent cross-contamination.
Allow the ribs to marinate for a minimum of a few hours, ideally overnight in the refrigerator. For maximum flavor and tenderness, a 12 to 24-hour marinating period is recommended. The longer the ribs soak, the more intensely flavorful and tender they will become. Before grilling, pat the ribs dry with paper towels to remove excess marinade. This step is important for achieving a good sear and preventing steaming, which can occur if the meat is too wet.
Precision Grilling: The Art of Cooking Flanken Ribs
With your ribs perfectly marinated and your Monument Denali 605 Pro ready, it’s time for the main event. Proper setup and technique will ensure beautifully cooked ribs.
Preheating and Grill Preparation:
Begin by setting up your Monument Denali 605 Pro for two-zone cooking. Turn half of your burners to high heat and the other half to low heat. This configuration provides a direct high-heat zone for searing and an indirect low-heat zone for managing flare-ups or finishing cooking if needed. Close the grill lid and allow it to preheat for 15-20 minutes, reaching a high temperature of around 450-500°F (230-260°C) in the direct heat zone. Once preheated, use a paper towel soaked in vegetable oil and tongs to carefully wipe down the hot grill grates. This helps prevent the ribs from sticking and ensures a clean cooking surface.
The Grilling Process:
Place the marinated flanken ribs directly over the high-heat side of the grill. Cook them hot and fast. The goal is to achieve a beautiful caramelization and sear on the exterior. Cook on one side for 2-4 minutes, or until you notice browning and char marks forming. The ribs will release easily from the grates when they are ready to be flipped. If they stick, give them another minute. Flip the ribs and cook for another 2-4 minutes on the second side, aiming for similar browning. Continue flipping occasionally, ensuring all sides develop that desirable caramelized crust.
Monitoring Doneness:
Flanken ribs are best enjoyed at a medium-rare to medium doneness, which keeps them wonderfully tender and juicy. For medium-rare, aim for an internal temperature of 130°F (54°C), and for medium, target 140-145°F (60-63°C). The Monument Denali 605 Pro’s built-in digital thermometer is invaluable for this step. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding the bone. Because flanken ribs are thin, they cook quickly, so pay close attention to the temperature to avoid overcooking. If you notice flare-ups, move the ribs to the indirect heat zone temporarily until the flames subside, then return them to direct heat to finish.
The Grand Finale: Resting, Slicing, and Serving
Once your flanken ribs have reached their desired internal temperature, remove them from the grill. This final stage is crucial for ensuring maximum juiciness and flavor.
The Importance of Resting:
Allow the ribs to rest on a clean cutting board, loosely tented with foil, for at least 5-10 minutes. Resting is a critical step that allows the meat fibers to relax and the internal juices, which have been pushed to the center by the heat, to redistribute throughout the entire cut. Skipping this step will result in juices running out when you slice, leaving you with drier, less flavorful meat.
Slicing and Saucing:
After resting, slice the ribs into individual pieces, or serve them as longer strips. While waiting for the ribs to rest, combine your reserved marinade (which has not touched raw meat) with optional gochujang if you desire extra spice. Mix well to create a luscious sauce. You can either brush this sauce over the warm ribs before serving or offer it on the side as a dipping sauce.
Perfect Pairings:
Flanken ribs are incredibly versatile when it comes to side dishes. For a traditional Korean BBQ experience, serve them with steamed white rice, kimchi, and various banchan (small side dishes). Other excellent pairings include grilled vegetables (asparagus, bell peppers, corn on the cob), a fresh green salad, or a light cucumber salad. Garnish your ribs with a sprinkle of fresh sesame seeds and chopped green onions for an added touch of freshness and visual appeal.
Common Grilling Mistakes to Avoid
Even with a premium grill and a great recipe, a few common mistakes can hinder your flanken rib experience:
- Not Preheating Enough: A cold grill leads to sticking and poor searing. Always ensure your grill is fully preheated to the target temperature.
- Overcrowding the Grill: Placing too many ribs on the grates at once lowers the grill temperature and can lead to steaming instead of searing. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Constant Flipping: While occasional flipping is good for even cooking, flipping too frequently prevents a good crust from forming. Let the ribs develop a sear before turning.
- Ignoring Internal Temperature: Relying solely on visual cues can lead to overcooked or undercooked meat. A reliable thermometer is your best friend.
- Skipping the Rest: As mentioned, resting is non-negotiable for juicy ribs. Be patient!
Conclusion: Your Ultimate Flanken Rib Grilling Experience
Grilling flanken ribs on the Monument Denali 605 Pro is more than just cooking; it’s an experience that combines quality ingredients with precision engineering to create a truly memorable meal. The tender, flavorful meat, infused with a rich marinade and perfectly seared on a powerful grill, is guaranteed to delight. With simple preparation steps, careful cooking techniques, and the reliable performance of your Denali 605 Pro, you can consistently achieve restaurant-quality results right in your own backyard.
Don’t just make dinner; create a culinary event. Embrace the joy of grilling flanken ribs and watch them become a staple at your next barbecue. Get ready to impress your guests and savor every delicious, juicy bite!
Korean Style Flanken Cut Short Ribs Recipe
Grilled Korean Style Flanken Cut Short Ribs
Course: Main Course | Cuisine: Korean | Keyword: grilled
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Marinating: 3 hours | Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 5 People
Calories: 740 kcal
Author: Dad
Print Recipe | Pin Recipe
Equipment
- Monument Grill
- Tongs
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Container
- Freezer bag
- Bowl
- Brush
Ingredients
For the Ribs:
- 3 lb Wild Fork Thick Flanken Style Beef Chuck Short Ribs
For the Marinade:
- 1 Cup Soy Sauce
- 1 ½ Cups Mirin
- 2 Cups Pineapple Nectar
- ¼ Cup Brown Sugar
- ¼ Cup Sesame Seeds
- 8 Cloves Garlic (Minced)
- ½ Onion (Chopped)
- 2 Tablespoon Ground Ginger
- 3 Tablespoon Sesame Oil
- 2 Tablespoon Black Pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Gochujang (Optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Prep: Defrost the short ribs completely, ideally in your refrigerator for 24 hours. In a bowl, mix all of the marinade ingredients together until well combined. Place the ribs in a freezer bag or a large container, then pour the marinade over them, ensuring all ribs are coated. Reserve at least 1 cup of the marinade in a separate, clean container for use later (do not let this reserved marinade touch raw meat).
- Setup & Preheat: Prepare your Monument Grill for two-zone cooking. Turn half of the burners to high heat and the remaining burners to low heat. Close the lid and allow the grill to preheat for 15-20 minutes, reaching a high temperature in the direct heat zone.
- Grill: Once preheated, clean the grill grates. Place the flanken ribs over the high heat side of the grill. Cook on one side for a few minutes until you observe browning and a slight char. The ribs will release easily when ready to flip. Flip and cook on the second side until similar browning appears. Continue to cook and flip occasionally until you are satisfied with the color and char. For optimal tenderness and juiciness, aim for a medium-rare internal temperature of 130°F (54°C).
- Rest/Sauce/Enjoy: Remove the grilled ribs from the grill and allow them to rest for at least 5 minutes, loosely tented with foil, on a cutting board. While the ribs rest, combine your reserved (unused) marinade and the Gochujang (if using) in a small bowl and mix well to create a serving sauce. You can brush this sauce over the rested ribs or serve it on the side as a dipping sauce. Enjoy your delicious Korean style flanken cut short ribs!
Video
Nutrition Information
Calories: 740 kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 3275mg | Potassium: 1106mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 34IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 7mg
Tried this recipe? Mention @DadGotThis or tag #DadGotThis!
Essential Ingredients and Equipment Links for Grilled Korean Flanken Style Short Ribs:
To help you create this fantastic dish, here are links to some of the key ingredients and equipment:
Monument Grills:
https://monumentgrills.com
Wild Fork Flanken Style Ribs:
https://wildforkfoods.com/products/usda-choice-bone-in-beef-chuck-short-ribs-flanken-style/
Korean Gochujang Sauce:
https://amzn.to/4edKwBw
Did You Know Dad Got This is on YouTube?
For a visual guide to perfecting your grilling techniques and exploring a wide range of delicious recipes, be sure to visit Dad Got This on YouTube. You’ll find insightful cooking videos, helpful tips, and plenty of food-related content to inspire your next culinary creation.