Easy Costillas de Puerco
For all the barbecue lovers, this recipe for Baby back ribs or Costillas de Puerco is a must-try! Made Paraguayan style with an American touch, these ribs will surely be a hit at your next cookout. For this Baby baby ribs recipe, you'll need two racks of Costillas de Puerco "baby back ribs," Pink Himalayan or kosher salt, lemon juice, lemon zest, and ground black pepper, which gives these ribs a kick of heat without overwhelming.
Tools
Ingredients
Seasoning:
- 1-½ tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- Juice and Zest from 2 lemons or limes
For the ribs
- 2 racks of pork baby back ribs (about 1-½ pounds each), trimmed
- ½ cup homemade or store-bought BBQ sauce , plus more for serving
Instructions
- Line (1) 13” x 18” rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a cooking wire rack inside. Place the ribs on the prepared rack. Remove the membrane that coats the underside of the ribs; use a small knife to release one corner of the thin membrane, then pull off the rest with your hands and discard.
- In a small bowl, combine salt, ground black pepper, and lemon zest. Rub the salt mixture all over the ribs. Marinate the meat overnight in the fridge to maximize the flavor, but if you're short on time, let the ribs soak in the dry rub for at least an hour before cooking.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 1 hour. Remove the sheet pan from the oven. Squeeze the juice of a half lemon over the Costillas de Puerco; turn and squeeze the juice of the remaining half lemon. Then transfer the baking sheet back to the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the sheet pan again from the oven. Squeeze the juice of another half lemon over the Costillas de Puerco; turn and squeeze the juice of the remaining half lemon. Then transfer the baking sheet back to the oven and bake until the meat is tender and starts pulling away from the bones for about 30 more minutes. Remove the sheet pan from the oven. Position a rack on the top level of the oven and preheat the broiler.
- Using a pastry brush, generously brush the Costillas de Puerco with the bbq sauce. Place the Costillas de Puerco under the broiler for about 3 to 5 minutes or until charred in spots on each side. Slice each rack between the bones into 2 or 3 rib sections and transfer to your serving platter.
Notes
How to Store & Re-Heat
To store: Allow them to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, wrap the ribs tightly in aluminum foil or place them in an airtight container. Store the ribs in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you need to store them longer, you can freeze the ribs. Wrap them tightly in aluminum foil and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. When ready to use, thaw the ribs in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
To reheat: You can use a few methods for the stored ribs. One option is to reheat them in the oven. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius). Place the ribs on a baking sheet and cover them loosely with foil to prevent them from drying out. Heat them in the oven for about 20-30 minutes or until heated.
Another option is to reheat the ribs on the grill. Preheat your grill to medium heat. Brush the ribs with a thin layer of BBQ sauce to add flavor and moisture. Place the ribs on the grill and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, basting with additional sauce as desired, until they are heated through and have grill marks.
Make-Ahead
To make Costillas de Puerco (baby back ribs) ahead of time, season and cook the ribs according to your preferred method. Once cooked, let the ribs cool to room temperature, then wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or place them in an airtight container. Store the ribs in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
When you're ready to serve, preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius), unwrap the ribs, and place them on a baking sheet. Reheat the ribs in the oven for about 20-30 minutes or until heated. Alternatively, you can reheat them on a grill over medium heat for 5-7 minutes per side, basting with BBQ sauce if desired. Once reheated, serve the Costillas de Puerco and enjoy the flavorful, tender ribs.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Costillas de Puerco
Amount per Serving
Calories
191
% Daily Value*
Fat
12
g
18
%
Saturated Fat
4
g
25
%
Trans Fat
0.1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
5
g
Cholesterol
49
mg
16
%
Sodium
682
mg
30
%
Potassium
227
mg
6
%
Carbohydrates
8
g
3
%
Fiber
0.4
g
2
%
Sugar
6
g
7
%
Protein
14
g
28
%
Vitamin A
60
IU
1
%
Vitamin C
0.1
mg
0
%
Calcium
31
mg
3
%
Iron
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
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