| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 295 | 10g | 1g | 35g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 15g | 6g | 25g | 1.4g |
Why I Love South Korean Vegan Grilled Soy Protein Ribs
I first stumbled upon this delightful South Korean recipe called Vegan Grilled Soy Protein Ribs while exploring a fun spin on traditional BBQ staples. As a homegrown Southern belle, getting messy with some ribs is as familiar to me as riding a wave at Folly Beach. But these are no ordinary ribs, they’re a plant-based powerhouse brimming with Korean inspired flavors. Intrigued yet? Picture taking a bite of these succulent ribs, your tastebuds immediately hit with a delightful spice from the Gochujang – a flavorful Korean red pepper paste – balanced by the sweetness of Agave syrup. Oh, and the aroma? That ginger, garlic and sesame oil just keeps on giving.\
Your tastebuds are going on a vacation…
Admittedly, Vegan Grilled Soy Protein Ribs may not sound “southern”, but food, like my beloved surf, is about adventure and exploration. While biscuits and fried chicken will always have a special place in my heart (and stomach), this recipe breaks out of the norm with rich, Asian inspired flavors. I love the satisfying, meaty texture of the soy protein, soaking up the Korean BBQ sauce and amplifying every single flavor.
Just like working on a movie script…
The real magic starts with marination. Those dried soy protein chunks basking in this beautiful blend of soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic are a lot like an actor studying their lines – getting soaked in the character, understanding every nuance and then delivering a stellar performance. And when those marinated chunks hit the grill? Well, let’s just say there’s a standing ovation in your mouth.
Pair it up!
As versatile as they come, Vegan Grilled Soy Protein Ribs pair delightfully with a variety of dishes. If you’re looking for companions on your dinner table, consider a side of homemade kimchi or even a chilled sesame cucumber salad for that extra crunch. And remember, even though this isn’t a typical Southern dish, it sure does enjoy the company of a good, old-fashioned cornbread.
Hats off to Holly, the brilliant chef behind Beyond Kimchee, whose passion for Korean cuisine was a major inspiration behind this recipe. To me, she’s a lot like the female surf legends breaking waves in a traditionally male-dominated sport. Join me in the fun of cooking and experimenting beyond the traditional, just like these Vegan Grilled Soy Protein Ribs.
What You’ll Need
- 3 cups of water
- 1 and 1/2 cups of dried soy protein chunks
- 2 tablespoons of neutral oil
- 1/2 cup of Korean BBQ sauce (Vegan-friendly)
- 2 tablespoons of Gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
- 1/4 cup of Agave syrup
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 small piece of ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 bunch of green onions, chopped
- 1 sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 1/2 cup of vegetable broth (optional, for more flavor)
Method
Step One
Start by rehydrating the dried soy protein chunks. Pour 3 cups of water over the chunks and let them soak until they are fully rehydrated. This should take about 20 minutes.
Step Two
While the soy protein chunks are rehydrating, prepare the marinade. In a large bowl, combine the Korean BBQ sauce, Gochujang, Agave syrup, minced garlic, grated ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and black pepper. Stir all the ingredients together until well combined.
Step Three
Once the soy protein chunks are rehydrated, drain off any excess water and toss them in the marinade. Make sure that all the chunks are thoroughly coated. Let them marinate for an hour, or up to overnight in the refrigerator for best flavor.
Step Four
After marinating, heat 2 tablespoons of neutral oil in a large grill pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated soy protein chunks. Grill them until they are crispy and caramelized on all sides, for about 5 minutes on each side.
Step Five
If you want more flavor, you can add a 1/2 cup of vegetable broth to the pan. Continue grilling the soy protein chunks until they have absorbed all the broth.
Step Six
Before serving, garnish the grilled soy protein ribs with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Enjoy your Vegan Grilled Soy Protein Ribs.
