Pork Ribs in Salsa (Costilla de Cerdo en Salsa)
Pork Ribs in Salsa (Costilla de Cerdo en Salsa)
Ingredients
For the Salsa
- 2 tablespoons pork lard
- 5 garlic cloves, crushed
- 3 Roma tomatoes, halved
- 14 tomatillos, husked
- 3 dried chili de árbol
- 1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground marjoram
- 1 teaspoon salt, or as needed
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or as needed
- 1 cup water
For the Pork Ribs
- 2 1/2 pounds pork ribs, bone-in, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons pork lard
- 1 teaspoon salt, or as needed
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the salsa ingredients: Husk the tomatillos, halve the Roma tomatoes, and crush the garlic cloves. Set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
In a large clay pot or Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of pork lard over medium heat. Add the crushed garlic, halved Roma tomatoes, whole tomatillos, and dried chili de árbol. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and begin to char slightly, about 8 to 10 minutes.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Add the freshly ground black pepper, ground thyme, ground cumin, and ground marjoram to the pot. Sauté for another 1 minute to toast the spices, being careful not to burn them.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Carefully transfer all the sautéed vegetables and spices from the pot into a blender. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 cup of water. Blend until a smooth, vibrant yellow-green salsa is formed. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Return the clay pot or Dutch oven to medium-high heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of pork lard. Once hot, add the pork rib pieces. Season generously with 1 teaspoon of salt.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Sear the pork ribs on all sides until they are nicely browned and caramelized, developing a rich crust. This will take about 12 to 15 minutes, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pot.
⏱️ 15 min
- 7
Once all the ribs are seared, pour the freshly blended salsa directly over the ribs in the pot. Stir gently to coat the ribs evenly.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for approximately 30 minutes, or until the ribs are tender and the sauce has slightly thickened and intensified in flavor. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 30 min
- 9
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve the pork ribs in salsa hot, with your favorite side dishes.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Pork Ribs in Salsa (Costilla de Cerdo en Salsa)
Ingredients
For the Salsa
- 2 tablespoons pork lard
- 5 garlic cloves, crushed
- 3 Roma tomatoes, halved
- 14 tomatillos, husked
- 3 dried chili de árbol
- 1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground marjoram
- 1 teaspoon salt, or as needed
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or as needed
- 1 cup water
For the Pork Ribs
- 2 1/2 pounds pork ribs, bone-in, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons pork lard
- 1 teaspoon salt, or as needed
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the salsa ingredients: Husk the tomatillos, halve the Roma tomatoes, and crush the garlic cloves. Set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
In a large clay pot or Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of pork lard over medium heat. Add the crushed garlic, halved Roma tomatoes, whole tomatillos, and dried chili de árbol. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and begin to char slightly, about 8 to 10 minutes.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Add the freshly ground black pepper, ground thyme, ground cumin, and ground marjoram to the pot. Sauté for another 1 minute to toast the spices, being careful not to burn them.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Carefully transfer all the sautéed vegetables and spices from the pot into a blender. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 cup of water. Blend until a smooth, vibrant yellow-green salsa is formed. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Return the clay pot or Dutch oven to medium-high heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of pork lard. Once hot, add the pork rib pieces. Season generously with 1 teaspoon of salt.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Sear the pork ribs on all sides until they are nicely browned and caramelized, developing a rich crust. This will take about 12 to 15 minutes, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pot.
⏱️ 15 min - 7
Once all the ribs are seared, pour the freshly blended salsa directly over the ribs in the pot. Stir gently to coat the ribs evenly.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for approximately 30 minutes, or until the ribs are tender and the sauce has slightly thickened and intensified in flavor. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 30 min - 9
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve the pork ribs in salsa hot, with your favorite side dishes.
⏱️ 1 min