Kimchi-Braised Short Ribs

Name: Kimchi-Braised Short Ribs
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients: 3 1/2 to 4 pounds English-cut beef short ribs, trimmed of excess fat; Kosher salt; Freshly ground black pepper; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 1 medium yellow onion, medium dice; 2 cups Napa Cabbage Kimchi; 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth; 1 cup water; 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch rounds; 1/2 medium daikon radish, peeled and large dice; 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves; Steamed white or brown rice, for serving

Kimchi Korean Braising Dinner Party Beef Cilantro Ginger Garlic Onions Scallions Fusion Leftovers Winter Ribs Main Dish Easy

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4 to 6 servings Easy

Total: About 45 mins, plus 2 1/2 hrs braising time

3 Ratings

Ingredients (12)

3 1/2 to 4 pounds English-cut beef short ribs, trimmed of excess fat
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium yellow onion, medium dice
2 cups Napa Cabbage Kimchi
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup water
3 medium carrots, peeled and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch rounds
1/2 medium daikon radish, peeled and large dice
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Steamed white or brown rice, for serving

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Braising kimchi and beef short ribs together might seem a bit odd, but like its German cousin sauerkraut, Korean fermented cabbage contributes a lot of complex and deep flavors when cooked with meat. To round out the meal, serve the short ribs with a Korean scallion or soybean sprout salad to cut through the richness of the dish.

What to buy: Look for the common English-cut beef short ribs, which are about 2 to 2 1/2 inches thick. Do not purchase Korean-style beef short ribs, which are about 1/4 inch thick with three rib bones attached.

Game plan: Try your hand at making your own kimchi, or you can purchase it at many grocery stores. Kimchi that’s been fermented for at least 2 weeks works well in this recipe, as its flavors are more pronounced.

More kimchi recipes.

by Christine Gallary

Tips for Beef and Ribs

Tip

How to Thaw Beef

As with most meat, the safest way to thaw beef is in the refrigerator. Small cuts of beef can take up to 24 hours, while larger slabs can take a few days. If you’re in a pinch, frozen beef can be thawed in a bowl or container of lukewarm water. Place the bowl or container in the sink and leave under a running faucet. Never allow raw beef to thaw or sit on a counter or cutting board. Since it takes longer to thaw than most meats, it is more susceptible to bacteria growth.

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Next: How to Freeze Beef

Tip

How to Freeze Beef

In order to effectively freeze beef, you’ll want to limit its exposure to air. This not only prevents the production of freezer burn, but also extends its shelf life to three months or longer. The best way to package beef is to wrap it tightly in freezer paper or plastic wrap. You should then wrap the meat in a layer of aluminum foil or place it in a plastic bag.

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Next: How to Store Beef

Tip

How to Store Beef

For ground beef, keep refrigerated and use within one to two days. It can stay in its original container if the packaging hasn’t been opened. Steaks follow the same protocol, but can last a bit longer at three to five days. It’s actually best to allow a little airflow with stored meat, as tightly-adhered plastic like Saran wrap can make meat sweat and, as a result, less tender. Meat can be transferred to plastic containers, but should be covered loosely.

Never refrigerate raw meat if it’s been sitting out beyond two hours.

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Tip

How to Store Ribs

Raw pork ribs can be refrigerated in their original packaging. The meat typically stays fresh for three to five days, but can last even longer if it remains unopened.

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Next: How to Freeze Ribs

Tip

How to Freeze Ribs

Overwrap pork ribs in their original packaging with aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or freezer paper. Ribs can last from four to six months in the freezer.

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Next: How to Thaw Ribs

Tip

How to Thaw Ribs

The fastest way to thaw ribs isn't necessarily the best. You can always use the defrost setting on your microwave and determine thawing time based on weight, but this may start to cook the meat. Alternatively, you can place the frozen ribs in a freezer bag and allow them to sit in a bowl of cold water. Continue to replace the cold water every 30 minutes. The most effective and time-consuming option is to place the ribs in the fridge, though a rack may take up for three days to fully thaw. Plan ahead!

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Instructions

1Heat the oven to 325°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Pat the ribs dry with paper towels, then season generously on all sides with salt and pepper.
2Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or large, heavy-bottomed, oven-safe pot with a tightfitting lid over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place half of the ribs in the pot and sear until all sides are golden brown, about 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining ribs. Remove all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the pot.
3Reduce the heat to medium, add the onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the kimchi, stir to combine, and bring to a simmer. Add the broth and water and bring to a simmer again. Nestle the ribs into the mixture in an even layer and bring to a boil. Cover, place in the oven, and braise until the meat is just starting to pull away from the bones, about 1 hour 45 minutes.
4Remove the pot from the oven and add the carrots and radish, making sure the vegetables are mostly submerged in the braising liquid. Return to the oven uncovered and continue to braise until the meat is very tender (falling off the bones) and the vegetables are knife tender, about 45 minutes more.
5Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meat and vegetables to a serving platter and cover with foil to keep warm. Pour the braising liquid through a fine-mesh strainer set over a medium heatproof bowl; discard the solids. Let the liquid settle for a few minutes, then skim the fat from the surface; discard the fat. Taste the braising liquid and season with salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle the short ribs and vegetables with the cilantro, and serve with the braising liquid and steamed rice on the side.

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How to Make Kimchi at Home

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Kimchi has conquered the world! Most people know this popular Korean side dish as fermented cabbage, but the truth is you can kimchi pretty much any vegetable and fruit. Food explorers seek it at restaurants and/or specialty stores. This fermented delicacy is an immune-system boosting probiotic food, that includes "healthy bacteria". In the season finale of CHOW-TO, Atoboy's chef de cuisine YeongSoo Lee teaches Guillermo the basics on how to make the Korean staple. There is not one right recipe, here we learn the principles, and the idea is to make it your own. Kimchi is so customizable, that traditional Napa cabbage is just the start. YeongSoo shows us a couple of other variations for inspiration. Move over pickles, time to do some fermenting at home.