Korean BBQ Ribs

Name: Korean BBQ Ribs
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 50 min
Total time: 2 h 10 min
Ingredients: 0.67 cup Korean red pepper paste (gochujang); 1 tsp Korean red chili pepper flakes (gochugaru); 0.25 cup soy sauce; 0.25 cup rice wine; 2 tbsp sesame oil; 4 tbsp honey; 2 tbsp brown sugar; 3 tbsp garlic, minced; 2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated; 0.5 medium medium onion, grated; 0.5 medium medium sweet apple, grated; 0.5 tsp black pepper; pork ribs

Slow-Baked Korean Ribs with Caramelized Gochujang Crust

These ribs spend hours absorbing a complex marinade where gochujang's funky heat mingles with apple sweetness and sesame richness. The low-and-slow bake keeps them impossibly tender before a final broiler blast creates lacquered, caramelized edges.

KoreanAsianDinnerComfort Food

Prep20 min

Cook1 hr 50 min

Total2 hrs 10 min

Servings—

Difficultymedium

Ingredients

Spicy Marinade

⅔ cupKorean red pepper paste (gochujang)
1 tspKorean red chili pepper flakes (gochugaru)
¼ cupsoy sauce
¼ cuprice wine
2 tbspsesame oil
4 tbsphoney
2 tbspbrown sugar
3 tbspgarlic, minced
2 tbspfresh ginger, grated
½ mediummedium onion, grated
½ mediummedium sweet apple, grated
½ tspblack pepper

pork ribs

Instructions

Combine all marinade ingredients in a large bowl, stirring until the gochujang dissolves completely and the mixture is smooth. The grated apple and onion will add natural sweetness and help tenderize the meat.
Check the back of each rib slab for the thin membrane — it peels away easily with a paper towel for grip if it's still attached. Slice each slab in half to create manageable portions, then rinse under cold water and pat dry.
Slather the ribs thoroughly with marinade, getting into every crevice. Seal in a large bag or covered container and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, though 24-48 hours gives the best flavor penetration. Flip the ribs once during marinating.
⏱ 8 hrs
Heat your oven to 325°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with heavy-duty foil. The low temperature ensures the ribs stay moist while the collagen slowly breaks down into gelatin.
Place ribs meat-side down on the prepared sheet, then tent tightly with another sheet of foil to create a steam environment. Bake for 1.5 hours — they should be fork-tender but not falling apart.
⏱ 1 hr 30 min
Strip away the foil and switch your oven to broil at 500°F. Let it preheat for a few minutes while you prepare for the final caramelization step.
Broil the ribs about 5 minutes per side, brushing with any reserved marinade as they develop a glossy, charred crust. Watch closely — the sugars can go from caramelized to burnt quickly.
⏱ 10 min