Korean-Style BBQ Short Rib Tacos
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Craving tacos? I got to thinking that the traditional taco could use to “get leveled up.” My Korean-style barbecue short rib tacos are bursting with the kick from Roasted Garlic and Onion and Cuso’s Hot Honey Seasonings. Paired with floral notes from ginger and sweetness from soy sauce, it’s the classic marriage of sweet and heat. You will want to keep one or two aside for yourself. These disappear quickly.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe for Cuso’s Korean Short Ribs
- Super tender, juicy meat with just the right amount of Cuso’s spice in each bite.
- A crisp and cool texture thanks to the addition of cucumber and kimchi.
- Preparation is a piece of cake (um… short rib?).
- Spicy, sweet, and savory notes combine into a harmonious umami.
- The aroma of barbecue short ribs will have your neighbors peeking out to see what you’re making (hey, invite them!).
Asian Fusion Ribs with Cuso’s Hot Honey Seasoning
Asian-style ribs elevated by Cuso's Roasted Garlic and Onion Seasoning and Cuso's Hot Honey Seasoning. Bring napkins! This is a juicy, flavor-packed taco suitable for any time of day. Add an egg? You've got breakfast! A beautiful balance of sweet and heat, easily personalized to your tastes.
Prep Time
1-24 hours depending on your patience with marinating
Cook Time
20-30 minutes
Resting Time
10 minutes
Total Time
2-26 hours
Products Used In This Recipe
Short Rib Taco Recipe Ingredients:
- Beef Short Rib Plate (4-6 short ribs)
- 5 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 1 jalapeno, diced
- 2-3 tablespoons Cuso’s Roasted Garlic and Onion
- 2-3 tablespoons Cuso’s Hot Honey
- 2 tablespoons Japanese BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Flour tortillas
- 1 cucumber, long cut
- 4 green onions, chopped
- Kimchi
- Kewpi
Short Rib Taco Recipe Instructions:
1. Marinate your beef short ribs in garlic, jalapeno, Cuso’s Roasted Garlic and Onion, Cuso’s Hot Honey, Japanese BBQ sauce, soy sauce, mirin, olive oil, and honey for 24 hours.
2. Preheat your grill to ripping hot (500°F)
3. Cook the short ribs hot and fast - about 1.5-2 minutes per side for medium rare (130°F).
4. Remove from the heat once they hit your desired doneness temperature and let rest for at least 10 minutes.
5. Using a Chef’s knife, slice off the edge with bones, and then cut the meat against the grain into thin bite-sized strips for the tacos.
6. Heat the taco shells on the grill.
7. Assemble your tacos starting with the cucumber on the bottom, followed by the kimchi, green onion, meat, and mayo. Enjoy!

Tips & Tricks for Impeccable Korean-Style Rib Tacos
- Don’t skimp on the marinating time, even though you’ll want to. The resulting flavor is worth the wait.
- Ensure the rib cuts are kept thin for bite-sized morsels that fit snugly in the taco shell without overstuffing.
- Whether you use gas, charcoal, or wood for cooking, grill them hot and fast for that coveted char on the edges.
- Make sure to flip the barbecue short ribs so you get a perfect finish on each side.
- Don’t rush service, no matter how tempting. Resting is essential for distributing the rib’s juices evenly.
- To cut against the grain of the rib, look for the parallel striations in the meat—slice perpendicular to those lines.
- If you like saucy tacos, you can add Cuso’s Lava or Mud as a condiment.
Grilling Guide: Dry Marinade for Korean-Style Rib Tacos
My recipe for Short Rib Tacos has a liquid marinade. If you prefer a dry blend, eliminate the liquids, then add brown sugar, Gochukaru (Korean dried chili flakes), smoked paprika, and, if you wish, sesame seeds.
Pitmaster’s Personal Tip
Caramelization lovers, take your grilled rib and place it on a super-hot griddle before serving. It doubles the effect.

Storage & Reheating Korean Short Ribs
In the unlikely event you have leftover meat, you can store it in a food storage bag for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. If you use a freezer bag, the meat has a frozen shelf life of 3 months.
Reheating is a breeze. Slip it into a hot oven, or sear each side quickly in a hot pan. You can use the meat on top of salad, pizza, or pasta. Include some in soup and stew.
Take Them With You
Korean short rib tacos are a fantastic way to revamp your barbecue menu with something delightful and surprising. They’re easy to make, and you can prepare them as hand-held fare. Share some with friends and give us your feedback!
FAQs
What are barbecue short ribs?
Short ribs come from the lower part of the cow’s ribcage. Cooks and foodies alike love their sumptuous, meaty flavor as well as fork-tenderness.
What Makes Korean-Style Tacos so Different?
The Korean barbecue style is vibrant. Here, traditional Korean flavors take the place of the more familiar Mexican ones. The result is a complex layer of flavors in your taco.
What is Kewpi Mayo
Kewpi mayo is a Japanese product made only with egg yolks. This results in a very creamy texture and indulgent flavor that’s savory, sweet, and zesty.
What Other Toppings Can I Add to the Barbecued Short Rib Tacos?
Try pickled onions, radish or cabbage, Bulgogi sauce, Ssamjang sauce, shredded mozzarella, or bean sprouts.
Any suggestions for more Marinade Ingredients?
Sweet and sour sauce, Asian pear, Chinese five-spice, Chipotle, Ginger, Black pepper, sesame oil, smoky paprika, and brown sugar. Many of Cuso’s all-natural Seasoning blends include some of these ingredients. Shop all seasonings HERE.
What if I Don’t Have a Grill?
You can sear these just as easily over fire or in a pan. For shreddable short ribs, use a crock pot, slow cooker, Dutch oven, or braise them.
What Side Dishes to Serve with Short Rib Tacos
Korean-Marinated Soybean Sprouts with Scallions, Cucumber Salad, Asian Slaw, Garlicky Green Beans, Rice Cakes
Insider’s Scoop from Chef Cuso:
How to Make Quick Pickled Red Onions:
Pickled red onions are an excellent topping for this barbecue short rib recipe. You can make them in about 30 minutes! Start by thinly slicing a medium-sized red onion. Put the slices into a bowl that has a cover.
Put 1/2 cup of water, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 ½ teaspoons freshly ground salt into a saucepan. If you’d like a little heat, add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes. If you’d like a slightly different flavor profile, add 1 tsp each of celery seed and mustard seed. Simmer, then pour the mix over the onions. Let the mix sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then chill before serving.

People Also Ask
Why Use Korean Short Ribs?
These ribs are a quick-cooking meat with excellent marbling. You’ll end up with incredibly tender meat and intense beef flavor.
Tips on Assembling the Tacos?
Put your firmer elements on the bottom (think of them as support units), then add your toppings. Remember not to overload the tacos, or the filling goes everywhere.
What Can I do With the Leftovers from Korean-Style Short Rib Tacos
If you keep all your components separate, it’s easy to use the meat for lots of meals. Make a stir fry with udon noodles or fried rice. Add the meat pieces to mac and cheese, soup, stew, or grind them up to make pot stickers. Or, how about a short rib sub (hoagie)?
Can I make Cuso’s Hot Honey Seasoned Taco ahead of Time?
Yes. You can grill the short ribs ahead of time. Make all the sides separate. Simply warm up the meat before serving, and let guests choose their preferred toppings.
Related Recipes & Blogs:
If you enjoy beef ribs, here are four of my recipes you might want to check out:
- Beef Short Rib Ragu: Oooh! USDA short ribs, beef tallow binder with Cuso’s Dirt®. The bone just slips right out.
- Mexican Style Ribs: A fantastic blend of Key Lime Habanero Seasoning, Taco spices, and pineapple for moisture and flavor. Add guacamole and you can’t go wrong.
- Short Rib Burrito: Smoked with Cuso’s Dirt®, Spicy Garlic Buffalo, and Grass Seasoning with a beer braise before assembly.
- Smoked Wagyu Beef Short Ribs: A glorious Wagyu rib will delight your senses.
The Right Spices for the Right Cook
I’ve created a complete line of all-natural spices for filling your pantry with rich aromas and flavors. Grab a few for yourself. Share some with friends and family!
If you’re looking for something easy on the waistline, we also offer two low-calorie barbecue sauces: Lava and Mud. Lava tastes like it sounds with a hardy cayenne kick. Mud has activated charcoal for creating that ideal crust everyone craves.
When you use them, let us know about your recipe story. We love hearing your feedback!
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