Instant Pot Korean BBQ Short Ribs (LA Galbi)

We’re so spoiled with many authentic Korean food in town.

Gamjatang (Pork Bone Soup) – one of Jacky’s favorites, Tteok-bokki (Stir-Fried Rice Cakes), Budae Jjigae (Army Stew), Japchae (Stir-Fried Glass Noodles), Gyeran Mari (Egg Rolled Omelet – with cheese!)…are some of our favorite Korean dishes to order.

And LA Galbi (Korean BBQ Short Ribs) is my must-order dish whenever we eat in Korean restaurants! hehe~

What is LA Galbi (Korean Short Ribs)?

Kalbi or Galbi means “rib” in Korean, generally refers to marinated beef short ribs (or pork spareribs).

While “LA Galbi” is a flanken-style cut of Korean barbecued beef short ribs. It’s believed that these were developed by Korean immigrants in Los Angeles.

Flanken style means the ribs are thinly cut across the bone, where each slab of short ribs have 3 – 4 small pieces of bones along the long edge, with buttery meat attached.

Instant Pot Korean Short Ribs

We developed this Instant Pot Kalbi Recipe as a quick & easy way to satisfy your bbq short ribs cravings without the need to pull out the grill! 😉

In this recipe, we’re making our own yummy yet simple marinade for kalbi. It’s best to use an Asian pear for the kalbi marinade. The enzyme in the pear will act as meat tenderizer in the marinade. But if you can’t find an Asian pear, a regular pear will work. Take note that a regular pear will be less juicy and less sweet.

We’re thrilled to find some Korean Singo Pears (on the right in photo below) in our grocery! They’re sweet, juicy, crunchy yum~ See if you can spot one in yours. 🙂

Time to make finger-licking Korean Short Ribs in Instant Pot!

Step-by-Step Guide: Instant Pot Korean Short Ribs

Prepare ingredients for cooking Korean Short Ribs in Instant Pot.

*Note: You’ll need to use flanken-style cut of short ribs for this Korean Short Ribs Recipe.

The prep work is relatively simple with a food processor!

Slice up some green onions for garnish, then we are ready to roll.

Tools for Cooking Korean Short Ribs in Instant Pot

• Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer & Pressure Cooker
• Food Processor
• Wooden Spoon
• Pyrex Measuring Cups
• Mixing Bowl
• Kitchen Tongs

Make Pear Paste

Cut onion and Asian pear into smaller pieces.

Place chopped onion, garlic, chopped Asian pear, 1 tsp (2g) ginger in a food processor, then process to a fine paste.

*Note: If you don’t have a food processor, you can grate the Asian pear, then mince the remaining ingredients. 

Marinate Short Ribs

You can marinate the short ribs in Instant Pot’s inner pot or in a ziploc bag.

Make Marinade for Kalbi: In Instant Pot, add ½ cup (125ml) regular soy sauce, 2 tbsp (30ml) sesame oil, 2 tbsp (25g) brown sugar, 2 tbsp (30ml) unseasoned rice vinegar, 2 tbsp (42g) honey, and 1 tsp (2.3g) freshly ground black pepper. Give it a quick mix.

Now add the pear paste (from Step 1) into the Kalbi Marinade, then mix well.

Place 2.5 – 3lb flanken-style short ribs into the kalbi marinade, and marinate for 2 – 8 hours in the fridge.

Pressure Cook Korean Short Ribs

When ready to cook, give it a quick mix to make sure the short ribs are not sticking to each other.

Close lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing position.

• Pressure Cooking Method: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 1 minute +  5 minutes Nature Release

After natural releasing for 5 minutes, carefully turn the Venting Knob to Venting Position to release the pressure.

Once the Floating Valve drops, open the lid carefully.

The Instant Pot LA Galbi is done and ready to be served (or you can proceed to broil/air fry for some yummy caramelized flavors).

*Pro Tip: If you are serving the LA Galbi at this step, place the LA Galbi and Kalbi Sauce in a serving bowl. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

Optional – Broil Korean Short Ribs

You can use an oven or Instant Pot Duo Crisp‘s “Air Fry” function for this optional step.

First, place the airfryer basket in a clean inner pot, then layer the cut or uncut short ribs on top. Sprinkle the kalbi beef short ribs with sesame seeds.

If you are using enoki mushrooms as a garnish, you can also layer that on the basket.

Place the air fryer lid on the Instant Pot DUO Crisp.

• Air Frying Method: Press “Air Fry” button, set the temperature to 400°F and cooking time to 8 minutes.

*Pro Tip – Top Rack: If you put the short ribs on the airfryer basket top rack, it will take roughly 4 – 5 minutes + preheat time. You can open the lid to check the progress.

*Pro Tip – Middle Rack: If you put the short ribs on the airfryer basket middle rack, it will take roughly 6 – 7 minutes + preheat time. You can open the lid to check the progress.

*For Oven: Layer the Instant Pot LA Galbi on a baking sheet, then put them under the broil function for a few minutes.

Serve Instant Pot Korean Short Ribs

We decided to serve our LA Galbi similar to how Korean restaurants serve it. oh~ we love these sizzling plates! 😀

First layer sliced raw white onions on the sizzling plate, then the yummy LA Galbi. Lastly, sprinkle the short ribs with sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and enoki mushrooms on top. Voila~

Enjoy your finger-licking tasty Instant Pot Korean Short Ribs! 🙂

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