If you're craving restaurant-style Korean BBQ without the grill (or the price tag), Trader Joe's Korean Style Short Ribs might be exactly what you need. These frozen, marinated ribs come pre-sliced flanken-style and are known for their sweet, savory, and garlicky flavor profile.
At $14.99 they're not cheap-but considering the portion size, flavor, and protein quality, they offer a lot of value.
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Review
I'll admit, I had high hopes for these. Korean-style short ribs (also known as galbi) are one of my favorite dishes to order out, but making them from scratch at home requires a laundry list of ingredients and some serious marinating time.
Trader Joe's version skips all the prep and gives you pre-marinated, bone-in short ribs that go from freezer to plate in under 20 minutes. The marinade is classic Korean BBQ: sweet from brown sugar and rice wine, umami-packed with soy sauce and garlic, and just enough sesame oil to bring it all together.
When I cooked them on a grill pan, they developed a great char with slightly crispy edges and juicy, tender meat. You do have to work around the bones, and like most short ribs, there's a bit of fat-but that adds to the flavor if you cook them until they caramelize.
These taste bold, slightly sweet, and deeply savory-no additional seasoning needed. They're salty enough that you don't need soy sauce on the side, and they pair beautifully with rice or simple veggies.
The only real downside? There are sometimes some tough or chewy bites, especially near the bone or connective tissue. That's typical with short ribs, but worth noting if you're texture-sensitive.
If you aren't used to Korean-style short ribs, then the cut on them is the opposite of what you might get in, say, Trader Joe's Balsamic Glazed Short Ribs, where you are left with a giant bone and a chunk of meat. These are a little round bone between the morsels of meat, which is cut against the bone.
Ingredients
Key ingredients in this are:
- Beef short ribs
- Water
- Soy sauce
- Brown sugar
- Sesame oil
- Garlic
- Black pepper
Contains: soy, wheat
How to Prepare
Grill (recommended):
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high.
- Cook ribs 4-5 minutes per side or until nicely browned and cooked through.
- Let rest briefly before serving.
Oven broil:
- Set oven to broil.
- Place ribs on foil-lined tray.
- Broil 3-4 minutes per side, watching closely to avoid burning.
Air fryer (optional):
- Preheat to 400°F.
- Air fry ribs in a single layer for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Be careful of splattering from the marinade.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with steamed white rice and Trader Joe's Kimchi for a full Korean-inspired meal
- Add to lettuce wraps with gochujang mayo, shredded carrots, and cucumber
- Pair with stir-fried vegetables or Trader Joe's Japanese Style Fried Rice
- Use leftovers in a rice bowl or noodle dish with a soft-boiled egg
- Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, or a drizzle of sesame oil
FAQs about Trader Joe's Korean Style Beef Short Ribs
The following are commonly asked questions about this product:
No, they're bone-in, flanken-cut short ribs.
For best results, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.
Not at all-these are sweet and savory, with no heat. You can add chili flakes or gochujang if you want spice.
No, they contain soy sauce and wheat.
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe's Korean Style Short Ribs are one of those freezer finds that feels like a little cheat code. They pack in tons of flavor, cook up fast, and instantly make dinner feel special. While they're not the cheapest or cleanest to eat, the flavor payoff is worth it-especially when you want takeout-style results without leaving the house.
If you're a fan of bold, sweet-savory marinades and don't mind a little bone work, these deserve a spot in your freezer rotation.
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Trader Joe’s Korean Style Short Ribs
Product Name: Trader Joe’s Korean Style Short Ribs
Product Description: Trader Joe’s Korean Style Short Ribs are a classic frozen entree.
Price: $14.99
Summary
Trader Joe's Korean Style Short Ribs are a long-standing favorite in the freezer aisle.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Great flavor: Sweet, savory, and authentic-tasting marinade
Convenient: Pre-marinated and ready to cook from frozen
Quick cook time: Done in under 15 minutes
Restaurant vibes: Feels like Korean BBQ night at home
Good portion size: Feeds 2–3 people with sides
Cons
- Bone-in: Requires some work while eating
- Can be fatty: Expect some chewy bites near the bone
- Not budget-friendly: $14.99/lb adds up
- Not gluten-free: Contains soy and wheat
Sheila says
They were so tough you could not to them. They were terrible. I would never buy them again. We tried hard to eat a couple of them and threw the rest away.
Annie says
THANK YOU for your awesome post! Great photos!!
I had this TJ package in my freezer for several months. thawed them yesterday. Added a LITTLE molasses (3/4t), honey (1t), garlic powder, few shakes of my paprika mix (I use on nearly EVERYthing!). I used 2 pieces of string and tied the bundle. Put on the gas grill. Med heat. Started with about 4 min/side. Turned up the heat, cut the bundle open and let it finalized with a sear. Probably backwards! BUT...let them rest and it was DELICIOUS!!
becomebetty says
Hey Annie! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your modifications to this one. I know it will be helpful to someone who stops by.
Maxime says
I have to agree with Sheila. They were unchewable, I rinsed them off and gave them to my dog. Flavor of the sauce was good.
becomebetty says
Hey Maxine! I know I wrote this review awhile a go, so maybe it is time I go back and test them again. Thanks so much for taking the time out of your day to share your thoughts on this!
chanra says
I loved this - I didn't think it was tough. Husband and kids both liked it. I served it with white jasmine rice and a side of pickled vegetables.
Jim says
I wanted to have something special for Thanksgiving. They were total crap. Inedible. I thawed them all day. Then grilled them in my oven until they were "golden brown" as the package recommends. I tried six different ribs and had to spit all of the bites out. All fat or gristle and no edible meat. I threw the rest out. Do Not Buy!
Vivian Loray CALDWELL-ADESIDA says
Had these ribs for the first time tonight with Jasmine white rice, and Korean sautéed garlic scapes...Very delicious and will buy again!
becomebetty says
Thanks for sharing!