We recently returned home from a fun family vacation in Hawaii, where we stayed at the Aulani Disney Resort (super fun!) We love the Asian fusion food in Hawaii and one of our favorite things are the short ribs. They’re a little different than the traditional bbq ribs that the US south has made famous. The cut you’ll be looking for at the grocery store can be known by lots of different names, depending on where you live. Korean style short ribs, maui ribs, or flanken cut ribs are common names. Essentially, these are ribs that are cut perpendicular to a traditional bbq rib so they are like very thin steaks, with small round bones dotting one side. This recipe is a spin off of traditional Hawaiian style Kalbi, where short ribs are soaked in a sweet and savory marinade and grilled to perfection.
Ingredients Needed
- Flanken cut ribs – Hawaiian style ribs are what are called “Flanken Cut”. They’re cut lengthwise across the ribs instead of horizontally, like you’re probably used to seeing. You’ll sometimes see them called Korean style short ribs, or Maui ribs, too. They’re thin, like 1/4-1/2 inches thick. If you don’t see any flanken cut ribs, just ask the butcher at the meat counter and they should be able to help you out.
- Pineapple juice – Bottled or canned.
- Brown sugar
- Sesame oil
- Soy sauce
- Rice vinegar – seasoned or unseasoned is fine.
- Fresh ginger
- Fresh garlic
- Green onions
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 whole pineapple
How to Make Hawaiian Style BBQ Ribs
- Whisk up your marinade of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, green onions, sesame oil, pineapple juice, salt and pepper and place in a zip to bag (or two) with your ribs. I prefer to marinade these for 24 hours.
- When you’re ready to grill, preheat the grill so it’s nice and hot and then turn it down a bit before you add the food. Slice pineapple into 1/2 inch slices.
- Oil grill grates and place ribs and pineapple on grilling surface.
- Flip ribs and pineapple over- both will cook quickly, 3-5 minutes per side.
- Serve meat and grilled pineapple together with rice or side dish of your choice.
Storing and Other Tips
- Store cooked ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 2-3 days for best results.
- I definitely recommend marinading these overnight. Since there’s not a lot of acidity, the mellow flavors really benefit from a long marinade, especially if your ribs are on the thicker side. If you try and rush it, they definitely won’t be as flavorful, but if you’ve got a really thin cut you could probably get away with marinading them first thing in the morning for dinner that night. I recommend mixing it up any time the day before for dinner the next night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Part of what makes flanken cut ribs tender is that they are cut across the grain and cut nice and thin. Regular racks of ribs need to be slow cooked to achieve this, so they aren’t a good choice for this recipe. If you’d like to cook up some traditionally cut ribs, try these baby back ribs!
I generally purchase beef short ribs, but you can use this recipe with either!
It obviously depends on your audience, and the size of your ribs, but I like to plan on 2-3 per person.
Hawaiian Style BBQ Short Ribs with Grilled Pineapple
Ingredients
- up to 2 lbs flanken cut beef short ribs
- 1½ cups pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
- 4-5 garlic cloves minced or pressed
- 3 green onions thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 whole pineapple peeled and sliced into 1/2 inch slices
Instructions
- Place ribs in a ziplock bag (or 2 if needed) and set aside.
- Combine pineapple juice, brown sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, garlic, green onions, salt and pepper in a bowl and whisk to combine. Pour mixture over ribs in bag and marinate over night in the fridge. Turn bag occasionally to evenly distribute marinade.
- When ready to cook, peel and slice pineapple into ½-inch slices, leaving core intact. Brush each side lightly with olive oil and a very light pinch of salt.
- Preheat BBQ grill. Place both ribs and pineapple on grill, making sure they do not touch each other, and cook until charred on both sides and evenly done. Steak time will depend on thickness of cut. Extra thin ribs cook for only a couple of minutes per side and thicker cuts (up to 1/2 inch) may take 5-6 minutes per side.
- Remove pineapple from grill and place on a platter. Remove ribs and cover with foil for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Store cooked ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 2-3 days for best results.
- I definitely recommend marinading these overnight. Since there’s not a lot of acidity, the mellow flavors really benefit from a long marinade, especially if your ribs are on the thicker side. If you try and rush it, they definitely won’t be as flavorful, but if you’ve got a really thin cut you could probably get away with marinading them first thing in the morning for dinner that night. I recommend mixing it up any time the day before for dinner the next night.
Nutrition
Questions & Reviews
I would also like to hear about Aulani. My parents are interested in taking my son there for his 8th birthday and so I am wondering if there is enough there to keep him and my parents interested without having to leave the resort.
So, this might be a stupid question but… we just moved and aren’t allowed to operate a grill in the complex. Any suggestions on how to cook this in the oven/stove-top? Looks delicious and I would love to give it a try, thanks!
I would love to hear your thoughts about Aulani! I am interested in going, but not sure if it is worth the high price tag.
Looks so fun! I’d love to hear more about Aulani!
Yes – please tell us more about Aulani!
These look delicious. We just tried pineapple on a pizza dish with great success. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
I would love to hear about Aulani! Thanks!
I would love an Aulani review! My husband is hoping to qualify for the Ironman triathlon world championship in Kona, Hawaii this October. We were thinking we would go over to Aulani for a family vacation after… So I’d love to hear from another mom who’s been there 🙂
Love grill pineapple! Its one of those fruits that is tastier when grilled 🙂
Please give us an Aulani review?!
: )
We were just at Aulani last week! We were all so sad to leave… the kids had so much fun and we adults really appreciated the super fun, quality child care so we could get some alone time. If any one has food allergies, the resort was SO great in terms of providing safe, alternate food options. The chef made me my own gluten-free belgian waffle, which I hadn’t had in AGES!
This looks so, so fun! Glad you had a great time with the kids 🙂
I would also like to hear about Aulani! We are headed to the Ko olina beach villas, which are next to Aulani, next month! We debated about Aulani, but we hadn’t heard from anyone who had stayed there.
Would love to hear more about Aulani – I don’t know anyone who’s been yet.
You look so great Sara!
Oh what a great summer recipe. I love grilled pineapple, especially with brown sugar and cinnamon. Love to have ribs like with with coconut bissmati rice 🙂
Wow! This looks so yummy! Would love an unbiased review of Aulani please!
These look yummy!! I would love w review of the resort. I keep thinking it would be fun to take our daughter, but not sure about the money. Thanks!! Happy Wiggly Worms Wednesday!!!
P.S. I love your emails & recipes!!
Isa
Ask for Korean short ribs AKA Kalbi beef at the butcher. They are so much more tender than your traditional rib. Family tradition for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, any day. Yum! I won’t eat any other type of ribs. These just flake off and melt in your mouth. Looks like a fun trip but sadly it will never happen in my lifetime, unless I find a winning lottery ticket.
We just returned from Oahu! We stayed on Waikiki beach, since my husband had to work one day while there and it was close to the job. I’d love to hear about your experience at Disney’s hotel. We also went to PCC and the Dole plantation …always a must!
My husband loves those ribs, thanks for the recipe! 🙂
Holy cow! I may just possibly be addicted to pineapple… and ginger… and ribs. I can see this could lead to a major problem (at least where my tummy fat is concerned). Have you been to Tucanos Brazilian Grill. Their grilled pineapple is seriously like Christmas in your mouth! I don’t know what they put on it to make it so sweet, but it is AH-MAZING! I have tried grilled pineapple on a hamburger, and I loved it. Apparently they do that all the time in Mexico. Can’t wait to try ribs with grilled pineapple! Come on America! Why’d it take you so long to bring the pineapple fad over here?
These look fab!
These look so yummy!! I would love a Aulani review! My husband and I have been debating taking the kiddos there!!
OMG these look awesome, can’t wait to try!
As a note, these are sometimes called “Maui” or “Korean” style short ribs when I’m shopping for them.
Aulani unbiased review please!!
I have to say I am so jealous…I need some beach time. Well, maybe the ribs will help.
Hawaii is such a fun place to be with kids (the trip over and back, not always…). We were at the Marriott Ko’Olina (right next door to the Aulani) at the end of May. We loved the Marriott property! Looks like your trip was very fun, too, and I’m interested in what you thought of the Aulani. We walked along the beach past it, but never went onto the main property.
Oh, and thanks for the ribs recipe. 😉
We also stayed at the Marriott Ko’Olina and loved that area, including Aulani!
Oh, awesome! I live on Oahu so I feel like you kinda just visited me! 😉
This sounds awesome! I love the tropical marinade and the grilled pineapple seals the deal for me. I love grilled pineapple!
Yum! My husband just got home from a work trip to Oahu tonight. These are perfect to pretend we got to go too. I would love a review on the Aulani resort!!!