Costillas a la Mexicana

Costillas a la Mexicana is a comforting Mexican dish made with tender beef ribs simmered in a lively mix of tomatoes, onion, and jalapeño. It’s rustic, colorful, and full of that homemade warmth that makes you want to grab a tortilla and dive right in.

this recipe

This dish is one of those that doesn’t need to be fancy. You can make it for a Sunday lunch or a casual dinner when you want something hearty but still comforting.

The beef short ribs slowly soak up all that sauce until they’re juicy and flavorful, and the smell alone could make your neighbors peek over the fence.

Before you start cooking, don’t miss the video below! I’ll walk you through each step of my Costillas a la Mexicana. It’s an easy, step-by-step guide so you can see exactly how everything comes together.

Costillas a la Mexicana Recipe

Start by prepping your vegetables. I like to cut the tomatoes into wedges, slice the onion thinly, and cut the chiles lengthwise, removing the seeds and veins so the flavor stays bright without being too spicy.

Arrange the tomatoes, chiles, and onion on a plate so everything’s ready to go.

Next, prepare the beef ribs. Cut them into pieces about 2 inches long, small enough to cook evenly and fit nicely in your pan, but still meaty enough to stay juicy.

Heat a bit of oil in a large, deep pan over medium heat. Once it’s hot, add the ribs and sprinkle in your spices.

Let them brown slowly on all sides, this step is where the flavor starts building, so take your time. It should take about 8 to 10 minutes.

When they’re nicely golden, remove the ribs and set them aside on a plate.

In the same pan (don’t wash it, all that flavor stays!) add the chopped onion and chiles. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often, until they soften and smell delicious.

Add the tomatoes and cook for another couple of minutes, just until they start to break down.

Now return the ribs to the pan and stir everything together so the meat gets coated with those bright flavors.

Pour in the tomato sauce and a little splash of water, you just want enough liquid to create a nice saucy base.

Season with salt and pepper, cover, and let it all simmer gently for about 15 minutes.

The sauce will thicken slightly, and the ribs will become tender and juicy. When everything looks rich and the vegetables are soft and glossy, it’s ready.

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Then serve your Costillas a la Mexicana and enjoy.

If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze them for about 3 months.

When freezing, divide the ribs and sauce into meal-size portions so you can reheat only what you need.

Serving Costillas Mexicanas

Costillas a la Mexicana is one of those dishes that practically calls for a full Mexican-style spread on the table. I love serving it with cilantro lime rice. The fluffy rice soaks up the sauce beautifully!

Of course, corn tortillas are a must. Perfect for scooping up the meat and a bit of that spicy tomato sauce in every bite.

For something comforting on the side, I like a small bowl of frijoles de la olla. Their mild flavor balances the richness of the ribs and makes the whole meal feel even more homemade.

And because no Mexican meal feels complete without a little something fresh and cool, I usually pour a tall glass of agua de jamaica.

The tart, floral flavor of hibiscus is just what you need to round out the meal! Simple, colorful, and so satisfying.

More Mexican Recipes

If you enjoyed these Costillas a la Mexicana, you might also like a few other comforting Mexican dishes from my kitchen.

Hope you loved this authentic Mexican recipe! If you make it, I’d love to see how it turns out! You can tag me or follow along on TikTok, Pinterest, and YouTube. I always enjoy seeing your kitchen creations and chatting with you there.

Video

Print the recipe