I love Korean short ribs, but to make them truly delicious I really think they need marinating for hours. If you don’t have that kind of time (because who does nowadays), then you’ll love Trader Joe’s Korean short ribs in the air fryer instead! All the hard work is already done, so you can just heat and enjoy!
Why Make Trader Joe’s Korean Beef Short Ribs in the Air Fryer
Caramelized and Even Cooking
The air fryer creates beautiful caramelization on the outside with crispy edges, while keeping the meat juicy on the inside. It offers an even cooking experience, ensuring the short ribs have a perfect texture without the need for constant attention.
Quick Cooking Time
Air frying significantly reduces the cooking time compared to traditional methods like grilling or oven baking. You can have deliciously cooked Korean short ribs in a fraction of the time!
Great Flavor Retention
The air fryer helps retain the marinade and natural flavors of Trader Joe’s Korean short ribs, ensuring that every bite is packed with taste!
Perfect for Small Batches
If you’re cooking for one or two people, the air fryer is ideal for preparing small batches of Korean short ribs without heating up the whole kitchen!
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Ingredients to Grab
- 20-ounce package Trader Joe’s frozen Korean style beef short ribs
- Sides for serving as desired (I use rice, kimchi, and green onions)
Ingredient Tips and Notes
- You’ll find TJ’s Korean short ribs year round in the freezer aisle, typically near other Asian-inspired cuisine, and grouped with other entrees
- Make sure to check out their other nearby Korean fare like Trader Joe’s Scallion Pancake (Pajeon) and Trader Joe’s Tteokbokki as well for completing your meal!
How to Cook Trader Joe’s Korean Short Ribs in the Air Fryer
- Defrost the meat by placing the sealed inner bag (remove the exterior packaging) in a bowl with cold water, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. This is important for even cooking, and it also makes it easier to fit the meat in your air fryer
- Place the Korean short ribs into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer
- Cook on the air fry setting for 10-12 minutes at 400°F, pausing halfway through to flip the ribs over, until the internal temperature reaches at least 160°F
- Serve with your favorite sides!
What to Serve With TJ’s Korean Short Ribs
- Kimchi
- Rice
- Dumplings
- Sweet potatoes
- Broccoli
- Green beans
- Korean corn cheese
- Lettuce wraps
- Soup
- Cucumber salad
- Korean pancakes
- Radish chips
- Noodles
- Caramelized onions
- Bok choy
- Edamame
- Chili crisp
- Gochujang
There are lots of different dishes you can complete your meal with when Trader Joe’s Korean short ribs are on the menu. Feel free to throw some spicy stuff on top as well to adjust the heat levels to your personal preferences!
I serve my beef short ribs with Air Fryer Beets and Sweet Potatoes, Air Fryer Bok Choy, Frozen Korean Fried Rice in the Air Fryer, spicy garlic Frozen Edamame in the Air Fryer, Air Fryer Korean Corn Cheese, or a Ginger Peach Sangria to sip on!
Recipe FAQs
Can You Cook Trader Joe’s Korean Short Ribs In An Air Fryer?
Absolutely! You can cook Trader Joe’s beef short ribs in an air fryer in less time than the oven.
You should still defrost them before cooking for best results.
Do You Need To Thaw The Short Ribs Before Air Frying?
Yes, it is recommended to thaw the ribs before cooking to ensure even cooking and avoid overcooking.
You can thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or in a bowl of cool water for 10-15 minutes before cooking.
Do You Need to Marinate Trader Joe’s Korean Short Ribs?
No! Trader Joe’s Korean short ribs come fully marinated and seasoned already, so there is no marinating required.
You can, of course, add other spices or sauces to modify the flavor to your preferences if desired.
Why Are Korean Short Ribs Expensive?
Korean short ribs are pricier due to the marbling and quality of the meat, as well as the cutting process.
This makes them a premium choice, offering a rich and flavorful experience.
How Do You Prevent Korean Short Ribs From Becoming Tough In An Air Fryer?
To avoid toughness, monitor cooking time closely and add any additional cooking time needed in small increments.
Overcooking can lead to a leathery texture, so it’s important to keep an eye on them, and pull them when the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Recipe Tips For the Best Frozen Korean Short Ribs
- My package had 6 short ribs in it total, but they were wildly different in size. I pulled the small ones out about 2 minutes before the larger ones to prevent overcooking, so make sure to check different ribs and adjust as needed!
- I do not preheat my air fryer since I flip the ribs during cooking. 10 minutes total was perfectly fine for the small ones, and the really big ones were done at 12 minutes in my Ninja (verified via thermometer). Note that different air fryers naturally vary, so adjust as needed in small 1-minute increments to prevent overcooking
Storage and Reheating of TJ’s Korean Short Ribs
- Store any leftover Korean short ribs in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 4-5 days. Do not refreeze after they have been thawed and cooked
- Make sure to cook the entire package of ribs, even if you need to cook in batches to fit in your air fryer. There is no easy way to separate them since they’re all in one package, and they should be cooked immediately after thawing
- To reheat Trader Joe’s Korean short ribs in the air fryer, cook for 4-5 minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway through, until warmed through. Time can vary slightly between air fryers, and based on the size and thickness of your specific short ribs, so adjust as needed
- Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Mini Cheeseburgers
- Trader Joe’s Potstickers in the Air Fryer
Trader Joe’s Korean Short Ribs Air Fryer Review
Here’s my review of Trader Joe’s frozen Korean short ribs, prepared in my air fryer!
I love the air fryer cooking method, as the ribs came out juicy and delicious in under 15 minutes of cooking time. The edges had just the right amount of caramelization, and there was just one flip needed, so they were very low maintenance to prepare.
The defrosting step is a little bit of a pain, but I get why you need to do it, regardless of preparation method. The meat is all frozen together in one giant block and it needs to be pried apart so you can spread them out for even cooking. It’s probably not practical to individually freeze the ribs, but it would be more convenient.
As to the ribs themselves, they are more sweet than anything else (and definitely no spice heat to them). The prominent notes I tasted were brown sugar, rice wine, and soy. Though garlic, pepper, and sesame are included on the label, I didn’t detect them at all.
It was a little too sweet for my personal tastes, but not bad in any way. Also of note, the marinade TJ’s uses contains soy and wheat products, so these short ribs are not gluten free (which I think may catch some folks off guard).
Texturally, the meat is very fatty. Even the “meatier” looking parts are highly marbled, leading to a very fatty sort of bite throughout. I know many people say “fat is flavor” and swear by it, but it’s just not my preference. I prefer to be able to pick my own cuts and choose a leaner version.
All in all, I wouldn’t get these again, but I also understand that’s highly subjective. It’s mostly based on the fact I didn’t like the texture and found them too sweet. They were still tasty overall, and really easy to make, so if those other factors aren’t off putting to you, give them a try!
Want to make your own homemade version where you can make your own marinade instead of a frozen version? Try my recipe for Korean beef short ribs in the air fryer!
Final Thoughts
Making Trader Joe’s short ribs in your air fryer keeps them juicy and delicious, with just the right amount of caramelization on the outside to be filled with flavor.
They’re incredibly easy to prepare, since it’s just a quick defrost and the actual cooking time is under 15 minutes! No tedious marinating needed – TJ’s version is simple enough for a weeknight meal.
Pair with your favorite sides like rice and kimchi to complete your meal! If you’re not a fan of the fattier beef short ribs, check out my Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken as an alternative option with many of the same flavors.
Trader Joe’s Korean Short Ribs Air Fryer Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 20 ounce package Trader Joe’s frozen Korean style beef short ribs
- Sides for serving as desired (I use rice, kimchi, and green onions)
Instructions
- Defrost the meat by placing the sealed inner bag (remove the exterior packaging) in a bowl with cold water, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. This is important for even cooking, and it also makes it easier to fit the meat in your air fryer20 ounce package Trader Joe’s frozen Korean style beef short ribs
- Place the Korean short ribs into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer
- Cook on the air fry setting for 10-12 minutes at 400°F, pausing halfway through to flip the ribs over, until the internal temperature reaches at least 160°F
- Serve with your favorite sides!Sides for serving as desired
Notes
- My package had 6 short ribs in it total, but they were wildly different in size. I pulled the small ones out about 2 minutes before the larger ones to prevent overcooking, so make sure to check different ribs and adjust as needed!
- I do not preheat my air fryer since I flip the ribs during cooking. 10 minutes total was perfectly fine for the small ones, and the really big ones were done at 12 minutes in my Ninja (verified via thermometer). Note that different air fryers naturally vary, so adjust as needed in small 1-minute increments to prevent overcooking
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on specific size of each rib, any sauces or sides added, and total quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only. These are the nutritional facts at time of writing, and it’s possible that Trader Joe’s changes the recipe from time to time, which will alter the numbers
Nutrition
