Korean BBQ at Home with Trader Joe's Beef Short Ribs (LA Galbi)

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 Korean BBQ with Trader Joe's LA Galbi

Learn how to enjoy an easy Korean BBQ dinner at home with Trader Joe's Korean Style Beef Short Ribs (LA Galbi), fresh vegetables, kimchi, and simple Korean side dishes.

Korean BBQ is one of Korea's most loved meals, bringing family and friends together around the table. This recipe is a little different. Instead of making traditional homemade LA galbi, I'm using Trader Joe's Korean Style Beef Short Ribs, a pre-marinated product that's ready to cook. Although Trader Joe's labels it as Korean Style Beef Short Ribs, it's the same thin-cut style of beef ribs that Koreans commonly know as LA galbi.

The first time I tried it, I honestly didn't expect much, but I was pleasantly surprised. The flavor was much better than I expected, and it made putting together a Korean BBQ dinner incredibly easy.

Today I'll show you how I enjoy a simple Korean BBQ meal at home with fresh vegetables, homemade pickled onions, ssamjang, kimchi, and a few classic Korean side dishes. It's a simple meal that's perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you're craving Korean BBQ without spending hours in the kitchen.

 

Why You'll Love This Meal

  • A quick and easy way to enjoy Korean BBQ at home
  • Uses convenient pre-marinated beef from Trader Joe's
  • No homemade marinade required
  • Perfect for beginners who want to try Korean BBQ
  • Fresh vegetables and simple side dishes balance the rich flavor of the beef
  • Easy to customize with your favorite Korean side dishes

Watch the full video here 💛👇

 

Ingredients

Main

  • 1 package Trader Joe's Korean Style Beef Short Ribs
  • Trader Joe's Kimchi (optional)
  • Romaine lettuce, cucumber, carrot, and bell pepper
  • Ssamjang

Pickled Onions

  • 1/2 sweet onion

Dressing

  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 tbsp vinegar
  • 1/2 tbsp sugar
  • Optional: 1/4 tsp wasabi or Korean mustard

Optional

  • Steamed rice
  • Doenjang jjigae
  • Korean steamed eggs

How to Make

1. Thaw the Beef

Trader Joe's Korean Style Beef Short Ribs are sold frozen. For the best texture, transfer them to the refrigerator the night before and let them thaw overnight. If they've already started to soften while you're out shopping, letting them sit at room temperature for a short time before cooking also works well. 

2. Make the Pickled Onions

While the beef finishes thawing, prepare the pickled onions. Thinly slice half of a sweet onion and soak the slices in cold water for about 10 minutes. This helps mellow the onion's flavor while keeping it crisp. Meanwhile, make the dressing by mixing together:

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • 1/2 tablespoon sugar

If you enjoy a little extra heat, stir in about 1/4 teaspoon of wasabi or Korean mustard.

Drain the onions well, pour the dressing over them, and toss gently to coat. This simple onion side dish is commonly served with Korean BBQ because its sweet, tangy flavor pairs beautifully with grilled meat. 




3. Cook the Korean Style Beef Short Ribs

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Place the beef in the pan and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side until nicely browned. Once the beef is cooked, use kitchen scissors or a knife to cut it into bite-sized pieces. Continue cooking for another minute or two until the sauce has reduced and lightly coats the meat. The caramelized marinade gives the beef a rich, sweet and savory flavor that's hard to resist. 



4. Prepare the Korean BBQ Table

One of my favorite things about Korean BBQ is that it isn't just about the meat. I like serving it with plenty of fresh vegetables so everyone can build their own lettuce wraps. For this meal, I prepared:

  • Romaine lettuce
  • Cucumber
  • Carrot
  • Bell pepper
  • Ssamjang
  • Kimchi

To complete the meal, I also served steamed rice, a warm bowl of doenjang jjigae, and Korean steamed eggs. These side dishes aren't required, but they make the meal feel much more like a Korean BBQ dinner at home. 


5. Enjoy It the Korean Way

To make a classic Korean BBQ lettuce wrap, place a piece of romaine lettuce in your hand. Add a little rice, a piece of grilled galbi, some pickled onions, and a small amount of ssamjang. Wrap everything together and enjoy it in one bite. The combination of tender beef, fresh vegetables, tangy onions, and savory ssamjang creates a wonderful balance of flavors and textures. At many Korean BBQ restaurants in Korea, people often finish the meal with doenjang jjigae and rice or a bowl of cold noodles. At home, though, many families enjoy everything together around the table, which is exactly how I like to serve this meal. 

Tips

  • Thaw the beef overnight in the refrigerator whenever possible for the best texture.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan. Cook in batches if needed so the beef browns nicely.
  • Let the sauce reduce before turning off the heat. It adds extra flavor to every bite.
  • Soaking the onions makes them milder while keeping them crisp.
  • Prepare all of the vegetables before cooking the beef so everything is ready to serve at the same time.

Storage

  • Store any leftover cooked beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • The pickled onions are best enjoyed the day they're made but can be refrigerated and eaten within 2 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Trader Joe's Korean Style Beef Short Ribs and LA galbi?

  • They're essentially the same style of thin-cut beef short ribs. Trader Joe's uses the name Korean Style Beef Short Ribs, while Koreans commonly call this cut LA galbi.

Can I cook these in an air fryer or on a grill?

  • Yes. A grill, grill pan, or air fryer all work well. Just cook until the beef is browned and fully cooked.

Do I have to make the pickled onions?

  • No, but I highly recommend them. Their sweet and tangy flavor balances the richness of the grilled beef beautifully.

What vegetables go well with Korean BBQ?

  • Romaine lettuce, cucumber, carrots, and bell peppers are all great choices. Fresh vegetables add crunch and make delicious lettuce wraps.

Can I make this meal without going to a Korean grocery store?

  • Absolutely. That's one of the reasons I wanted to share this meal. Trader Joe's Korean Style Beef Short Ribs, along with fresh vegetables and a few simple side dishes, make it easy to enjoy Korean BBQ at home

Korean BBQ doesn't have to be complicated. With Trader Joe's Korean Style Beef Short Ribs and a few simple side dishes, you can enjoy a delicious Korean BBQ dinner at home without making everything from scratch.

What I love most about Korean BBQ is how everyone can build their own perfect bite. Whether it's wrapped in crisp lettuce with ssamjang and pickled onions or enjoyed with kimchi, rice, and a warm bowl of doenjang jjigae, every meal feels a little different and brings people together around the table.

I hope this gives you a simple and approachable way to enjoy Korean BBQ at home.

Tools and ingredients I use are here 💛👇https://www.amazon.com/shop/chungskfood

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