HomeMainCostillas
1 Hours, 30 Minutes Medium

Costillas

by on

Costillas, or ribs, are a beloved dish in Mexican cuisine, celebrated for its rich flavors and versatility. While ribs are enjoyed in many cultures around the world, Mexican costillas have distinct characteristics influenced by local ingredients, cooking methods and regional variations. Costillas can be grilled, braised, baked or slow cooked, depending on the desired flavor and texture. The ribs are often finished by reducing the sauce to a thicker consistency, coating the ribs in a rich glaze.

What will you need?

  • Boone-in pork ribs
  • salt
  • water
  • garlic
  • bay leaf
  • tomatillos
  • jalapeño
  • onion
  • Chile de arbol
  • cilantro

How to make costillas

The costillas in this recipe will be stewed in a tangy delicious salsa verde. Pair this dish with a side of refried beans, rice, and fresh tortillas. It is hearty, flavorful, and easy to make.

Start by seasoning all sides of the ribs and adding them to a large pan with some water, garlic, and bay leaf. Cover and let simmer until all the water evaporates and the meat is nice and tender.

While the ribs are simmering, make the salsa verde. Add some tomatillos, jalapeño, and onion to a dry pan and cook until charred. The toast up some chiles de arbor. We toast these last because they burn quick and if they burn, they become bitter. Add everything to a blender with some garlic, water, cilantro, and salt. Blend until smooth.

Once all the water from the ribs has evaporated, continue cooking the ribs until they get a nice sear. There should be rendered fat left in the pan once the water has evaporated, and that is what will give the ribs a good sear.

Once seared, pour in the salsa verde and let stew for a while. Taste for salt.

Serve your costillas on a plate with refried beans, rice, cilantro, and tortillas.

Costillas
Pin
Print

Costillas

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Zachary Rodriguez Course: MainCuisine: MexicanDifficulty: Intermediate
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

1

hour 

30

minutes

1

Ingredients

  • 3 lb (1.4 kg) bone-in pork ribs, sliced along the bone

  • 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to season the ribs

  • 2 cups (480 ml) water, divided

  • 2 cloves garlic, divided

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 10 tomatillos, husked and washed

  • 1 jalapeño, stem removed

  • 1/2 white onion

  • 6 chiles de arbol, stems removed

  • 1/2 cup (8 g) fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish

  • Refried Beans, for serving

  • Mexican Rice, for serving

  • Tortillas, for serving

Directions

  • Season the ribs with salt on all sides. Add to a pan over medium heat along with 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) of the water, 1 clove of garlic and the bay leaf. Cover and let simmer for 45 minutes or until all the water evaporates.
  • To make the salsa verde, add the tomatillos to a dry pan over medium-high heat along with the jalapeño and onion. Cook until everything is charred on all sides, about 7 minutes. Add the chiles de arbol to the pan and toast for 30 seconds. These burn easily so be careful not to overcook. Add everything from the pan to a blender along with 1 clove of garlic, the cilantro, 1/2 cup (120 ml) of water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Blend until smooth.
  • Once all the water in the pan with the ribs has evaporated, continue cooking until the ribs get a good sear. Add in the salsa verde and let simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Serve the costillas on a plate with beans, rice, cilantro and warm tortillas.

Comments are closed.