Grilled Flanken Ribs

Grilled Flanken Ribs are first marinated in a mixture of ginger and garlic and then grilled to perfection. A great addition to any BBQ! 

If you are looking for a summer dinner that is big on flavor and low on effort, you’ve got to give these Grilled Flanken Ribs a try. They only require a handful of ingredients, 3 easy steps and about 5 – 10 minutes to cook. The hardest thing about making them is waiting for them to marinate, which takes about 8 hours so you will want to make sure to plan ahead.

I originally made these several years ago when it was just my husband and I but when my grocery store had a special on them a few weeks ago, I just knew I had to make them again for the kiddos. And boy am I glad I did, the whole family loved them. The marinade tenderizes the ribs perfectly and is so incredibly flavorful with loads of fresh garlic, ginger and sesame oil, I just know your family will love them too.

Let’s talk about what you’ll need to make them: 

• FLANKEN SHORT RIBS: Are from the same cut of beef as short ribs but the difference is is that they are cut across the bones while the short ribs you might be accustomed to are cut between the ribs. As a result, flanken ribs are thin and cook very quickly, we’re talking minutes.
• GARLIC: These ribs are loaded with garlicky flavor from 8 minced garlic cloves.
• GINGER: When I originally share this recipe, I used ground ginger but I decided to use fresh ginger on the most recent remake of this recipe and it made all the difference! I highly recommend using fresh ginger if you can.
• SESAME OIL: Will give a nutty flavor to the marinade.
• SOY SAUCE: Adds umami flavor and saltiness.
• RICE VINEGAR: Adds a subtle sweet acidity to the marinade.
• BLACK PEPPER: I love using coarse ground black pepper for this recipe because it gives a ton of pepper flavor and texture to the finished dish.
• GREEN ONIONS: Used mainly as a garnish, they do add a pop of color and subtle oniony flavor.
• SESAME SEEDS: Optional but I like to use them for a garnish.

Step by Step Photos and Instructions:

Making these Grilled Flanken Ribs is so easy! The hardest part is letting them marinade. It’s best if you let them marinade for 8 hours because that helps ensure that they are tender.

• STEP #1: Whisk together all marinade ingreidents.
• STEP #2: Place the ribs in a resealable plastic bag (or other container). Pour the marinade over the top and rub the marinade into the ribs. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
• STEP #3: Remove the ribs from the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to allow them to come to room temperature. Grill 2 – 3 minutes per side then allow to rest 5 minutes. Sprinkle with diced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve.  

Storage and Leftovers:

Store any leftovers in the refrigerator and serve within a few days. You can reheat slowly until warmed through.

I recommend serving these with Garlic Rice and Szechuan Green Beans .

Looking for more Asian inspired recipes? Try some of our family favorites!

Beef and Broccoli is an easy, flavorful dinner that is perfect for weeknights! Made with tender beef, crisp broccoli and a savory sauce.

Crispy, golden, and utterly irresistible—these fried enoki mushrooms are the crunchy snack you didn’t know you needed!

Egg Drop Soup is a Chinese restaurant favorite! With the savory broth and silky eggs, this comforting soup will be a hit at home too!

Note: Originally published in 2013. Updated in 2026 with new photos, step by step photos, nutrition information and an improved recipe.

Grilled Flanken Ribs

8h

Prep

5m

Cook

8h 5m

Total

Servings

− 4 +

Ingredients

• 8 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 teaspoons minced ginger
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 2 1/2 pounds flanken ribs
• 2 green onions (diced)
• sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Combine first six ingredients together in a bowl. Mix well.
2. Place ribs in a resealable plastic bag or a bowl. Pour marinade over the top. Toss the meat to coat completely. Seal and refrigerate for 6 - 8 hours.
3. Remove from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you want to cook to allow the meat to come up to room temperature.
4. Heat your gas grill over medium-high heat. Once hot cook ribs 2 minutes per side. You can also cook these in the broiler by turning your broiler to high and cooking the ribs 2 - 3 minutes per side on the middle rack. Remove and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
5. Sprinkle diced green onions and sesame seeds over the top and serve.

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving

Calories

51

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 3g 4%

Saturated Fat 0g

Sodium 506mg 22%

Total Carbohydrate 4g 1%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Total Sugars 0g

Protein 2g

* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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