Summer BBQ Side

When you hear “BBQ, ” you probably think juicy ribs and Texan brisket. If your tastes run more towards the spicy and garlicky, however, turn your attention towards Korean BBQ. Korean BBQ is a surefire hit with anyone who loves Asian food and it’s perfect for a crowd since it’s inexpensive and can be easily made outdoors on the grill.

1. Korean Grilled Chicken

This Korean chicken dish is made with dark meat chicken, Korean malt syrup, sesame oil, and aromatics like garlic. It’s sweet, tangy, and goes perfectly with an ice cold beer. Get our Korean Grilled Chicken recipe.

2. Korean Short Rib Kebabs

These kebabs take their cue from traditional kalbi but are much more picky-eater friendly since they use boneless short ribs. A marinade including brown sugar, soy, garlic, and Sriracha ensures that these kebabs are spicy, sweet, and utterly addictive. Get our Korean Short Rib Kebabs recipe.

3. Korean Soybean Sprout Salad

Because we can’t live on meat alone. This traditional side dish has just three ingredients – soybean sprouts, sesame oil, and salt – and provides a crunchy, nutty side dish to a meat-centric meal. Get our Korean Soybean Sprout Salad recipe.

4. Korean Scallion Salad

This salad is a little spicy, a little sweet, and perfect for cutting htrough a heavy, fatty meal. Try it on hot dogs or hamburgers for an Asian flair. Get our Korean Scallion Salad recipe.

5. Bulgogi

This spicy pork has a quick marinade in soy, sugar, hot peppers, and pear puree. It’s then grilled until it’s juicy within and charred without and served in lettuce wraps with fresh garlic and jalapeno slices for added heat. Get the recipe here.

6. Korean BBQ Tofu Bowls

Vegetarians needn’t miss out on the fun at a Korean BBQ – just offer this BBQ tofu bowl and even meat eaters will come running. The tofu is marinated in a homemade sweet and spicy Korean bbq sauce, and then sered over quinoa and stir fried vegetables. Add a poached egg for egg-eaters. Get the recipe here.

7. Korean BBQ Burgers

Ketchup, move over – these flavor-packed Korean burgers need no additional condiments. The patties are loaded with aromatics like scallions, ginger, and garlic, topped with pickled onions and radishes, and served with a dollop of umami-rich miso mayonnaise. Get the recipe here.

Sarah Spigelman Richter is a New York City–based writer, blogger, and social media manager. She has developed recipes for Tabasco, blogs about her favorite restaurants and recipes at Fritos and Foie Gras, and can be found, most Friday nights, watching "Arrested Development" reruns.