Description
This air fryer short ribs recipe features tender, boneless thick-cut short ribs marinated in a flavorful Korean-inspired sauce with a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy notes. Marinated in a blend of coconut aminos, rice vinegar, garlic, and sesame oil, and cooked quickly in an air fryer for a deliciously caramelized crust, this dish is ideal for a fast weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Short Ribs
- 2 lbs boneless thick-cut short ribs (1.5-inch / 3.8cm thick-cut)
Marinade
- ¼ cup coconut aminos (or 3 tbsp light soy sauce)
- 1.5 tbsp rice vinegar (or 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion granule
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp coarse salt
- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 2 tsp mirin (or rice wine, optional)
- 2-3 tsp honey (or coconut palm sugar, brown sugar, or date syrup)
- ½ tsp gochugaru (optional)
Finishing
- Olive oil spray
- 1-2 whole spring onions, finely chopped
- Sprinkle toasted white sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine the coconut aminos (or light soy sauce), rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar), garlic powder, onion granule, ground black pepper, coarse salt, toasted sesame oil, olive oil, mirin (if using), honey (or preferred sweetener), and gochugaru (if using). Whisk until fully blended.
- Marinate the Short Ribs: Place the boneless thick-cut short ribs in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the ribs ensuring they are fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, preferably up to 1 hour for deeper flavor.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for about 3-5 minutes.
- Prepare the Short Ribs for Cooking: Spray the air fryer basket lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking. Remove ribs from the marinade and let excess drip off. Arrange the short ribs in a single layer in the basket without overcrowding.
- Air Fry the Short Ribs: Cook the ribs at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes. Flip the ribs halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning and caramelization on both sides.
- Garnish and Serve: Once cooked, transfer the ribs to a serving plate. Sprinkle finely chopped spring onions and toasted white sesame seeds over the ribs for garnish. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- This boneless thick-cut air fryer short ribs recipe is quick and simple, making it perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping ahead of time.
- The marinade ingredients can be adjusted to taste; for a spicier kick, increase the gochugaru.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, these ribs can be broiled or pan-seared, but cooking times may vary.
- Marinating longer than 1 hour can deepen flavors but is not necessary for a quick meal.
- Use coconut aminos as a soy-free, gluten-free alternative to soy sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 4 oz of cooked ribs)
- Calories: 384 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 587 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 107 mg
