The Best Hawaiian Short Rib Recipe
Juicy, flavorful, and straight-up irresistible—these Hawaiian short ribs are marinated in a sweet and savory blend of soy sauce, fresh ginger, and pineapple juice for that perfect island vibe. Fire up the grill and get ready for a taste of paradise!
This short rib recipe is absolutely delicious and one of my favorite things to cook on the grill. The teriyaki and pineapple marinade gives these Hawaiian-style ribs the perfect sweet and savory flavor.
Have you ever eaten a meal that instantly takes you back to a special place? For us, it’s these Hawaiian-style short ribs. One bite, and we’re right back on Maui.
The whole family loves it there. And the street food? Yes, please! With today’s recipe, we bring that island magic home to our backyard BBQ—and trust me, you’ll want to do the same!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you love easy recipes with big flavor, these ribs are for you! The marinade does all the heavy lifting, giving you fall-off-the-bone tenderness and an addictively savory flavor. Whether you’re a grill master or a total newbie, this short ribs recipe is foolproof and guaranteed to impress. Plus, the grilled pineapple on the side? Absolute perfection!
These short ribs are marinated in a rich, flavorful sauce made with ingredients like dark brown sugar, garlic cloves, and red pepper flakes, then grilled to perfection over high heat. They’re the ultimate crowd-pleaser for family gatherings, weeknight dinners, or just when you need an excuse to fire up the grill.
Looking for more short rib recipes? Be sure to check out these delicious Korean short ribs or these tasty smoked short ribs.
What Are Beef Short Ribs?
Short ribs are a cut of meat taken from the rib area of beef cattle. They can be cut in a cross section in short portions of various thicknesses.
One of our favorite places to stop for food when visiting the island is on the road to Hana. There is a local roadside food stand that serves the most tasty Maui ribs, cooked over an open fire rotisserie in the back of a trailer on the side of the road. You know the one?
We always stop there for a Hawaiian plate lunch of ribs and BBQ chicken served over a few scoops of rice. Coming home, we miss these amazing Asian Hawaiian short ribs!
In an effort to enjoy our favorite Hawaiian food at home, we’ve been exploring easy recipes that remind us of island living. The marinade that we’ve developed for these short ribs is nothing short of fantastic!
A combination of fresh pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, and ginger makes for the best Maui rib marinade!
Maui Short Ribs
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Supplies
- Traeger 780 Pro Smoker Grill – This is our Traeger model. It’s the perfect size for families who like to entertain! Be sure to check out all of our must have Traeger products.
- Meater Thermometer – We love this wireless meat thermometer. It connects to an app that tells you exactly when your meat is done!
- BBQ tongs
- Basting brush
- Paper towels
- Aluminum foil
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Casserole dish
Ingredients
- Short ribs (about 1lb), raw and defrosted – Look for flanken cut ribs at your local Asian market for that authentic Hawaiian short ribs experience.
- Pineapple juice – Adds natural sweetness and helps tenderize the meat.
- Soy sauce – The salty backbone for this savory marinade.
- Brown sugar – Brings the perfect hint of caramelized sweetness.
- Ketchup – Balances out the tang and thickens the marinade.
- Red wine – Because a little fancy never hurt anyone.
- Honey – Sticky, sweet goodness for extra depth.
- Fresh ginger, minced – A must-have for that bold, warm kick.
- Garlic cloves, minced – I love using fresh garlic whenever possible.
- Hot sauce – For just a touch of heat.
- Sesame oil – A nutty, rich oil that adds to that Asian flavor.
- Red pepper flakes – A little spice, a lot of flavor.
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine the marinade ingredients (excluding water).
2. Pat the racks of ribs dry with paper towels and place them in a baking dish.
3. Pour marinade over ribs.
4. Top with cold water so that the ribs are completely covered in marinade.
5. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is even better).
6. Preheat the grill to 400°F.
7. Drain the marinade from the ribs and discard excess marinade.
8. Place the ribs on the grill grate.
9. Cook for 3-4 mins per side for a total cook time of 6-8 minutes.
Serve with white rice and grilled pineapple. Garnish with green onions, white sesame seeds, or parsley.
This recipe makes 12 short ribs, which is enough for a family of four or two hungry adults. If you love Hawaiian recipes like we do, this is sure to become a family favorite!
What to Serve With Hawaiian Ribs
- Potato salad, grilled corn salad, or macaroni salad.
- This Huli Huli chicken brings another taste of the islands.
- Grilled pineapple is a must-make! The main reason that the kids love this meal is because of the grilled pineapple.
Rib Cooking Tips
- Be sure that the internal temperature of the ribs comes to 190°F.
- Use a meat thermometer, if possible, as a thin cut of beef will take less time to cook than a thick piece of meat.
- The longer the marinating time, the more flavorful the ribs!
- These ribs may be cooked over a gas grill or charcoal grill.
- Cover leftover ribs in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container to store in the fridge for a few days.
Tips and Tricks
- Let the ribs sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before grilling for even cooking.
- Grill over medium heat if you want more caramelization. A slightly lower temp (around 350°F) allows the marinade’s sugars to caramelize beautifully without burning.
- Baste with extra marinade while grilling. Just set aside some before soaking the raw ribs—this keeps them juicy and extra flavorful.
- Make a double batch of marinade. It stores well in the fridge for up to a week and is perfect for marinating BBQ chicken or even veggies.
- Sprinkle with coarse black pepper before grilling. This adds a bold, slightly spicy kick that balances the sweetness of the marinade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Hawaiian short ribs and Korean short ribs?
Both use a savory marinade, but Korean short ribs (or kalbi ribs) often include Asian pear for extra sweetness and are slightly thinner.
Can I make these in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! Just marinate overnight, then cook on medium heat for 6-8 hours for melt-in-your-mouth results.
Where can I find flanken cut ribs?
Most Asian markets carry them, or check your local butcher and ask for thin slices of short beef ribs.
Can I substitute the red wine?
Yes! Swap it for rice vinegar or just leave it out if you prefer.
Whether you are making these ribs for a special occasion or looking for something a little different to serve on a busy weeknight, I know you’ll keep coming back for more! Happy cooking!
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The Best Hawaiian Short Ribs
Ingredients
- 12 short ribs about 1lb, raw and defrosted
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup red wine
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 Tbsp ginger minced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 Tbsp hot sauce
- ½ tsp sesame oil
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the marinade ingredients (excluding water).
- Pat the short ribs dry with paper towel and place them in a casserole dish.
- Cover the ribs with the marinade.
- Top with cold water so that the ribs are completely covered in marinade.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, overnight is better.
- Preheat the grill to 400 degrees F.
- Drain the marinade from the ribs and toss excess marinade.
- Place the ribs on the grill grate.
- Cook for 3-4 mins per side for a total cook time of 6-8 minutes.
Nutrition
