Are you looking for a delicious and flavorful way to cook beef strips? Look no further than Kalbi beef!
This Korean-style marinated beef is packed with savory and sweet flavors, making it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Whether you’re grilling outdoors or cooking indoors, Kalbi beef strips are easy to prepare and sure to impress.
In this article, we’ll explore different methods for cooking Kalbi beef strips, as well as tips for storing and reheating leftovers.
So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
How To Cook Kalbi Beef Strips?
There are several ways to cook Kalbi beef strips, but one of the most popular methods is grilling. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Marinate the beef: In a large resealable plastic bag, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, ginger, black pepper, salt, garlic, and grated pear. Add the beef strips and massage the marinade into the meat. Chill and let marinate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
2. Heat the grill: Preheat your grill or grill pan until very hot.
3. Grill the beef strips: Shake off any excess marinade from the meat and grill the beef strips until desired doneness, about 30 seconds each side for rare.
4. Serve: Serve immediately with white rice, green leaf lettuce, Ssam Jang Sauce, and sesame leaves if using. Place a small scoop of rice, a smear of Ssam Jang Sauce, and a piece of beef into a lettuce leaf. Wrap and enjoy.
If you don’t have access to a grill or prefer to cook indoors, you can also fry Kalbi beef strips in a skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes on each side.
What Is Kalbi Beef?
Kalbi beef is a popular Korean dish made from beef short ribs that are cut across the bone, resulting in thin strips of meat lined with rib bones. The cut is also known as “flanken” and can be found at most Asian markets. The beef is marinated in a sweet and salty marinade made with soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and other ingredients. The marinade often includes grated pear, which acts as a tenderizer and adds sweetness to the dish. Kalbi beef is traditionally grilled until caramelized and deeply browned, but it can also be broiled in the oven or fried in a skillet. This dish has become a staple of Korean BBQ and is enjoyed by many due to its tender texture and delicious flavor.
Preparing Kalbi Beef Strips
To prepare Kalbi beef strips, start by marinating the beef in a mixture of soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, ginger, black pepper, salt, garlic, and grated pear. Massage the marinade into the meat well and chill for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
When you’re ready to cook, heat a grill or grill pan until very hot. Shake off any excess marinade from the meat and grill the beef strips until desired doneness, about 30 seconds each side for rare.
If you prefer to cook indoors, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and fry the beef strips for 2-3 minutes on each side. Be sure to wipe away any burnt marinade and excess fat in between batches.
Once cooked to your liking, serve the Kalbi beef strips immediately with white rice, green leaf lettuce, Ssam Jang Sauce, and sesame leaves if using. Place a small scoop of rice, a smear of Ssam Jang Sauce, and a piece of beef into a lettuce leaf. Wrap and enjoy!
Grilling Kalbi Beef Strips
Grilling Kalbi beef strips is a great way to infuse the meat with smoky and charred flavors. To get started, make sure to marinate the beef in a flavorful mixture of soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, ginger, black pepper, salt, garlic, and grated pear for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
Once the beef has marinated, preheat your grill or grill pan until very hot. Shake off any excess marinade from the meat and place the beef strips on the grill. Cook for about 30 seconds on each side for rare, or longer if you prefer your meat more well-done.
When grilling Kalbi beef strips, it’s important to keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking. Use tongs to flip the beef strips and avoid piercing them with a fork, which can cause juices to escape and result in dry meat.
Once the beef is cooked to your liking, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Kalbi beef strips are traditionally served with white rice, green leaf lettuce, Ssam Jang Sauce, and sesame leaves if using. To assemble, place a small scoop of rice, a smear of Ssam Jang Sauce, and a piece of beef into a lettuce leaf. Wrap and enjoy!
Pan-Frying Kalbi Beef Strips
Pan-frying Kalbi beef strips is a great alternative to grilling, especially if you don’t have access to an outdoor grill or prefer to cook indoors. Here’s how to do it:
1. Marinate the beef: In a large resealable plastic bag, combine grated Asian pear, grated kiwi, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, sesame oil, and black pepper. Add the beef strips and let marinate for at least 4 hours, and as long as overnight (12 hours).
2. Drain and pat dry: Remove the beef from the marinade and discard the marinade. Drain off any excess liquid and pat the beef strips dry with paper towels.
3. Heat the skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet and swirl to coat.
4. Fry the beef strips: Add the beef strips to the skillet in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side until caramelized and deeply brown on the edges.
5. Serve: Once done, remove the beef strips from the skillet and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Serve immediately with white rice, green leaf lettuce, quick pickles, kimchi, and Gochuang dipping sauce if desired.
Pan-frying Kalbi beef strips is a quick and easy way to enjoy this delicious Korean dish without having to fire up an outdoor grill. Just make sure to drain off any excess liquid from the marinade before frying to ensure that the beef caramelizes properly in the skillet.
Oven-Baking Kalbi Beef Strips
While grilling and frying are popular methods for cooking Kalbi beef strips, oven-baking is another option that can produce delicious results. Here’s how to do it:
1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Prepare the beef: Mince garlic and scallions and peel ginger. In a bowl, combine chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar. Whisk until combined. Place the beef strips in a bowl and sprinkle with flour, tossing until coated.
3. Sear the beef: Heat a cast-iron Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed pan to medium-high on the stovetop. Add olive oil. Once hot, add half of the beef strips along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side until browned, then remove and set aside. Repeat to sear all strips.
4. Add sauce and bake: Turn the heat to medium and add the rest of the olive oil. Add minced garlic, onions, and grated ginger to the pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring often. Return the beef strips to the pan and pour the sauce over top along with beef broth. Stir together and completely submerge the strips in the liquid. Cover and bake for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and add more beef broth before cooking for another hour. Finally, remove from the oven again and add the rest of the beef broth, cooking for another 30 minutes.
5. Serve: Once done, remove from oven and serve hot with white rice.
Oven-baking Kalbi beef strips is a great option when you want to cook indoors or don’t have access to a grill. The slow-cooking process allows the flavors of the marinade to infuse into the meat, resulting in a tender and flavorful dish that everyone will love.
Storing And Reheating Kalbi Beef Strips
After cooking and enjoying your delicious Kalbi beef strips, it’s important to store any leftovers properly to ensure they stay fresh and safe to eat. Leftover Kalbi can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the beef strips in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
When reheating Kalbi, it’s best to use a grill or oven for even heating. The microwave may not heat the beef strips evenly due to the bones in the meat. To reheat on the grill, place the beef strips over high heat for 1-2 minutes on each side until warm. To reheat in the oven, preheat to 350°F and bake for 5-10 minutes until warm. For best results, thaw frozen Kalbi overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To ensure your leftover Kalbi stays fresh and safe to eat, it’s important to store it properly and reheat it using recommended methods. By following these simple steps, you can enjoy your delicious Kalbi beef strips for days after your initial meal.