USDA Wisconsin Beef Bone-In Short Rib Prime (Kalbi Cut)

Tasting notes of the Curator

These USDA Prime Bone-In Short Ribs from Wisconsin are a celebration of craft butchery and culinary heritage. Cut flanken-style across the bone, they’re ideal for Kalbi, the beloved Korean dish known for its smoky, caramelized edges and irresistible tenderness. The Prime grade guarantees exquisite marbling—those delicate veins of fat that, when grilled over flame, render into melt-in-your-mouth succulence. The result? A perfect storm of texture and flavor: crisped, charred edges; juicy interiors; a satisfying tug off the bone followed by a buttery finish. Unlike leaner or tougher cuts, this short rib takes marinades beautifully, absorbing soy, sesame, garlic, and fruit-based notes into its luxurious grain. Each bite offers a harmony of sweetness, smoke, and beefy depth—no knife required. It’s a grill-master’s dream with a Korean soul and an American heartland pedigree.

Pairings and Suggestions

This cut was made for the grill—and the dinner party.

• Marinate in a traditional Kalbi blend: soy sauce, mirin/ rice wine, garlic, sesame oil, Asian pear. Adding sugar is optional.
• Grill quickly over high heat until edges char and interior remains juicy.
• Serve with steamed white rice, kimchi, and ssamjang for Korean-style wraps.
• Add lettuce leaves, pickled radish, or fresh perilla for DIY ssam bites.
• Pair with chilled soju, Makgeolli, or even a dry Riesling to cut through richness.

For wine pairings: consider dry Riesling, Gewürztraminer, or chilled soju to complement the sweet-savory glaze.

Smoke, Flame, and a Korean Whisper

The Kalbi cut has long been a staple in Korean cuisine—a method born from maximizing flavor and tenderness from a humble rib. But when you take that tradition and elevate it with USDA Prime beef from Wisconsin, you create something transcendent. It’s not fusion. It’s respect. Respect for the cut, the animal, the fire, and the moment when meat meets heat.

In Korean households, Kalbi isn’t just food—it’s celebration. It’s family, stories, laughter, and the scent of smoke that lingers in your hair like memory. This cut brings all that home, whether you’re grilling in your backyard or gathering around a sizzling table grill indoors.

Naturally marbled and beautifully layered with fat, this cut is known for its rich flavor and succulent texture—exactly as tradition intended. While some Korean restaurants may trim excess fat upon request, Kalbi is not a lean cut by nature. The fat is not just there—it’s the reason it tastes the way it does: melting into the meat, caramelizing over the fire, and turning each bite into something unforgettable.

Storage Instructions

Store frozen at -18°C. For best results, thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours before use. Do not refreeze after thawing. Cook within 2–3 days.