Easy Korean Beef Patties (Tteokgalbi )
Korean beef patties (tteokgalbi) are a festive Korean beef short rib dish to celebrate a special occasion or holiday. Beef patties made with minced short rib meat are conveniently broiled in an oven, then brushed with soy honey glaze. They will make an impressive dish for special someone.
If you are looking for a dish to impress someone during holidays, put this easy Korean beef short rib patties (Tteokgalbi, 떡갈비) on your menu list.
Tteokgalbi is a famous beef dish of Korean holidays, especially on Chusuk (추석) which is Korean thanksgiving or Lunar New Year (설날).
Variety of Korean Galbi Dishes
There are several Korean dishes that share the name “galbi,” including LA galbi (Korean barbecue beef ribs), galbi-jjim (Korean braised beef short ribs), and galbitang (beef rib soup) share the name “galbi,” but they are actually very distinct dishes and require different cooking methods.
In addition, dakgalbi is another dish that carries the “galbi” title, but it is made with chicken that’s stir-fried with vegetables.
Korean Thanksgiving Tradition
Thanksgiving holiday, “chusuk (추석)”, is one of the biggest and most important holiday in Korea. Family members from near and far come together to share food and stories and to give thanks to their ancestors.
Many Koreans visit their hometowns to spend a quality time with their family and friends. The holiday also provides a good opportunity to enjoy traditional cultural experiences through food.
Chusuk celebrates bountiful harvest, which means there would be feasts everywhere you go. There are many different Chusuk food and this easy tteokgalbi (Korean beef short ribs patties) and galbi-jjim (Korean braised beef short ribs) are some of the classic Korean chuseok foods.
Koran Dish Suggestions for Chusuk
- Korean Braised Beef Short Ribs (Galbi-Jjim)
- Japchae, the famous Korean noodle dish
- LA Galbi (Korean BBQ Ribs)
- Korean Beef Radish Soup (Sogogi Muguk)
It takes some time and effort to make the tteokgalbi traditionally. However I have developed very easy way to make it; broil them in the oven! It is quick and effortless and anyone can make without sacrificing the authentic flavor.
Ingredients for Korean Beef Patties (Tteokgalbi)
- beef: either rib meat or sirloin (or combination of both). Do not use ground beef!
- onion: savory
- garlic: savory
- ginger puree: savory
- pine nuts or walnuts: garnish (optional)
- rice flour: adds stickiness to the meat
- honey: sweetener
- soy sauce: season and flavor
- sweet rice wine: season and flavor
- sesame oil: aroma and flavor
How to Make Korean Beef Patties (Tteokgalbi)
Do not use ground beef.
Ground beef won’t give the ideal texture that authentic tteokgalbi offers. If you want to enjoy the authentic taste and texture of Tteokgalbi, chop the meat yourself at home. Fortunately, it is not that difficult to do so. (If beef short rib meats are not available, use sirloin instead)
Step 1. Traditionally you had to pound the meat with knife to chop and soften the meat. But food processor makes the job so much easier and faster. Be careful not to process the meat too finely. You will want to see a small pieces of beef here and there
Step 2. Add sweet rice flour, sauteed onion, garlic, nuts and all the flavors in to the meat. Then beat the mixture in a mixer such as this kitchenaid. By beating the meat, it creates more stickiness to the texture which can hold patties together.
Step 3. Knead the mixture with your hand if you don’t have the mixer. But it will take some elbow grease and you will get a quite of work out on your arm.
Broil Beef Patties in Oven
Form the mixture into patties and lay on a greased baking sheet. You will want to broil these patties in the oven about 6-inch below the heat source for 4-5 minutes.
Flip to the other side and broil again for another 4 minutes. Every oven heat setting is different, therefore watch carefully so you don’t burn them.
Soy Honey Glaze
While the patties are getting ready, you will need to make the soy honey glaze. Soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil are all it takes.
As soon as the patties are done, brush the glaze over them, both sides. The glaze will not only season the meat perfectly, it also adds beautiful shine to the surface. Gorgeous!
Finely chopped pine nuts (or walnuts) will make classic presentation on these beautiful tteokgalbi.
You will love the texture. It is chewy yet soft, and so flavorful! Ground beef won’t give you the same taste or the texture that hand processed short rib meats would offer.
I hope you can try out this amazing Korean Chusuk food, Ttekgalbi, at your home to celebrate the bountiful harvest together. Have a happy feast and share lots of joy with your loved ones.
More Korean Beef Recipes
- Classic Korean Beef Bulgogi Recipe
- Korean Braised Beef Short Ribs (Galbi-Jjim)
- LA Galbi (Korean BBQ Ribs)
- Crispy Bulgogi (Korean Beef)
- Crisp Korean Beef Salad With Citron Tea Dressing
- Korean Braised Beef Short Ribs (Galbi-Jjim)
Easy Korean Beef Patties (Tteokgalbi)
Ingredients
- 1-1/4 lb beef short rib meat or sirloin, fat trimmed
- 1/2 onion, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp ginger paste
- 3 tbsp finely chopped pine nuts or walnuts
- 4 tbsp sweet rice flour (chapssal-garu)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sweet rice wine (mirim)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp finely chopped pine nuts or walnuts, for garnish
For the glaze:
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Saute the onion with a little amount of oil until soft. Set aside to cool.
- Preheat the oven to broil setting and place a rack about 6-inch below the heat source.
- Put rib meat into the food processor and pulse a few time until they become somewhat finely chopped.
- Transfer the meat into the mixer with a paddle attachment. Add the sauteed onion, garlic, ginger, nuts, sweet rice flour, honey, soy sauce, salt, sweet rice wine, and sesame oil; mix with a spoon then beat them well on medium speed, about 3-4 minutes.
- From into patties and place on a greased baking sheet. Broil the patties about 4-5 minutes on each side. Watch carefully to not to burn them.
- Meanwhile, make the glaze by mixing soy sauce, honey, and the sesame oil.
- When the patties are ready, brush the glaze over the patties when they are hot. Transfer the patties onto a serving platter and sprinkle with finely chopped nuts on the top. Serve warm with rice.
Fantastic. I used sirloin and it was great.
look like delicious….
These sound like the perfect dinner! Have a happy thanksgiving!