Tender Pork Tteokgalbi (Korean Grilled Short Rib Patties)
Budget-Friendly and Delicious Pork Tteokgalbi Recipe
This is a cost-effective and flavorful pork tteokgalbi made with ground pork. Enjoy the tender texture and savory-sweet taste, perfect for a family meal.
Main Ingredients
- 400g ground pork
- 1 Tbsp grated onion (juice only)
- 1 Tbsp finely chopped green onion
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp finely chopped Cheongyang pepper (seeds removed, optional)
- A little cooking oil
Seasoning & Binder
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1.5 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp rice wine (mirin or similar)
- 0.5 tsp ginger powder
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp glutinous rice flour (generously measured)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1.5 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp rice wine (mirin or similar)
- 0.5 tsp ginger powder
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp glutinous rice flour (generously measured)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, it’s important to drain the excess moisture from the ground pork. Spread the ground pork on paper towels and gently press to absorb the blood. Replace the paper towels as they become saturated, repeating until most of the liquid is absorbed for a cleaner result.
Step 2
Finely grate the onion using a grater and extract only the juice. Mince the green onion and Cheongyang pepper as finely as possible. Finely mincing these aromatics will help them incorporate well into the tteokgalbi mixture and improve the texture. If you prefer less heat, you can omit or reduce the amount of Cheongyang pepper.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the tteokgalbi mixture. In a large bowl, combine the drained ground pork with 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp rice wine, 1.5 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp of the prepared onion juice, 1 Tbsp finely chopped green onion, 1 Tbsp finely chopped Cheongyang pepper, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 0.5 tsp ginger powder, 0.5 tsp black pepper, 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil, and 1 Tbsp (generously measured) glutinous rice flour. Mix everything thoroughly with a spoon until well combined.
Step 4
For a chewier and softer texture, kneading the mixture is key. Put on disposable gloves and knead the mixture in the bowl forcefully with your hands. Kneading for about 5 to 7 minutes will make the meat more cohesive and tender.
Step 5
Take portions of the well-kneaded mixture and shape them into your desired size. Roll them into balls first, then flatten them gently with your palm. To prevent the patties from puffing up in the center during cooking, make a slight indentation in the middle with your thumb. This helps them cook more evenly and maintain a nice shape.
Step 6
Shape all the tteokgalbi portions into similar sizes. Uniformity in size ensures they cook at the same rate, resulting in even cooking.
Step 7
Now, let’s cook the tteokgalbi. Heat a frying pan over medium heat, add a little cooking oil, then reduce the heat to low. Carefully place the shaped tteokgalbi patties onto the pan.
Step 8
Cook slowly over low heat, pressing gently with the back of a spoon to ensure even cooking without burning. Check if the bottom side has turned a light golden brown.
Step 9
Once the first side is golden brown, cover the pan with a lid and continue to cook on low heat for about 3 minutes. Covering helps to cook the tteokgalbi through while keeping it moist.
Step 10
After 3 minutes, lift the lid and check if the bottom side is nicely golden brown. You can test by gently poking or lifting with chopsticks to see the color. Once cooked, carefully flip each patty using chopsticks.
Step 11
As the tteokgalbi cooks, fat and sauce may accumulate and stick to the bottom of the pan. Use a paper towel to wipe away any browned bits from the pan. This will help ensure the other side cooks cleanly and prevent sticking.
Step 12
Cook the other side on low heat until it’s also golden brown and delicious. Be patient and let all sides cook thoroughly.
Step 13
Your delicious pork tteokgalbi is ready! It tastes best when served warm.
Step 14
Tip: You can also use these tteokgalbi patties to create amazing homemade burgers! Spread mustard and mayonnaise on the burger buns, add the tteokgalbi patty, drizzle with your favorite BBQ sauce, then top with cheese, grilled onions, cherry tomatoes, and a shredded cabbage salad for a hearty meal. It makes for a special and satisfying dish on any occasion!
