Costillas en Mole Poblano (Pork Ribs in Mole)
Pork ribs simmered until falling apart then bathed in dark, glossy mole and served with cilantro lime rice.
Made with Mole poblano and Cilantro lime rice. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time2 hr
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £5.10 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Put the ribs, onion, garlic, bay leaves and salt into a large pot and cover with the water. Bring to a boil, skim off the grey foam, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover partly and cook for 1 hour 15 minutes until the meat is tender and pulling from the bone.
75 min - 2
Lift out the ribs. Strain 250 ml of the broth into a wide pan. Add the mole poblano (see the base recipe) and stir until smooth.
- 3
Add the ribs to the mole and simmer for 15 minutes, turning them, until the sauce clings and the meat is steaming hot all the way through.
15 min - 4
Reheat the cilantro lime rice (see the base recipe) in a covered pan with a splash of water until steaming hot.
- 5
Toast the sesame seeds for 1 minute in a dry pan. Serve the ribs and sauce on the rice, scattered with sesame seeds.
Tips
- Skim the foam in the first 10 minutes for a clearer broth and cleaner flavour.
- Use the extra broth for soup or rice, and cool it within 2 hours before chilling.
- Pork shoulder cut into big chunks gives you boneless chunks if you prefer.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours. Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through. Reheat rice only once.
Questions
Can I use pork shoulder?
Yes. Cut it into large chunks and simmer for about 1 hour 30 minutes until a fork slides in easily, then finish in the mole as above.
Can I cook this in a slow cooker?
Yes. Cook the ribs with the onion, garlic and bay on low for 7 hours, then drain, add the mole and warm through on high for 30 minutes.
More made with mole poblano
Tamales de Pollo en Mole (Mole Chicken Tamales)
GFDFEFTacos Dorados de Papa con Mole (Crispy Potato Tacos with Mole)
GFDFEFSopes de Mole con Frijoles y Crema (Mole Sopes)
GFNFEFCalabaza Asada con Mole y Frijoles Negros (Roast Squash with Mole and Black Beans)
GFDFEFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.