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Pipikaula (Hawaiian Beef Jerky)

Pipikaula is also known as “Hawaiian beef jerky.” It is a popular appetizer throughout the Hawaiian islands. Pipikaula—which means “beef rope” is made with short ribs that are infused with a rich and savory flavor. Cows are not native to the Hawaiian islands; a bull and five cows were gifted to King Kamehameha I by British sailor George Vancouver in 1793. The king forbid killing the cattle, a taboo lasting through 1830. By 1845, the Big Island had 25,000 feral cattle, with Hawaiian cowboys managing the cattle and making pipikaula for a portable snack.

Recipe Servings: 4

Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
4 hours
Total Time
4 hours 15 minutes
Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Kosher
Halal

Ingredients

  • 6 lb beef short ribs (about 1¼ inch thick)
  • 3 tsp fresh ginger (peeled and finely grated)
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp chili pepper paste (or crushed dried chili pepper)
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ½ cup mirin (rice wine)
  • ¼ cup sea salt (Hawaiian sea salt recommended)
  • 2 Tbsp light vegetable oil

Directions

  1. Cut ribs into 1-inch pieces, leaving the bone in.
  2. Combine ginger, garlic, chili pepper, sugar, mirin, and salt in a container large enough to fit the meat.
  3. Mix well, then add ribs to the mixture. 
  4. Coat meat on all sides with marinade.
  5. Preheat oven to 180°F.
  6. Drain ribs on a wire rack, spacing them out so they don’t touch each other.
  7. Put rack on a baking sheet and bake for 3–4 hours, turning the ribs once halfway through.
  8. Remove ribs from oven and let cool. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.
  9. Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a saucepan to reheat ribs for about 1 minute per side prior to serving.

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