Costillitas Asadas con Recado Rojo (Achiote Pork Ribs)
Pork ribs baked slowly under foil in achiote and orange, then finished under the grill until sticky and charred.
Made with Salsa taquera (roasted chile de arbol salsa) and Recado rojo (achiote paste). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time3 hr 30
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £4.92 a head
- Oven150°C (130°C fan)
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
Mix your ready made recado rojo (see the base recipe) with the orange juice, lime juice, vinegar, garlic and salt until smooth.
- 2
Put the ribs in a dish and rub the marinade all over. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours or overnight. Keep raw meat and its marinade away from cooked food.
180 min - 3
Heat the oven to 150°C (130°C fan). Lay the ribs on a double layer of foil in a roasting tin, pour over the marinade and seal tightly.
- 4
Bake for 2 hours 15 minutes, until the meat is very tender and shrinking from the bones.
135 min - 5
Heat the grill to high. Lift the ribs onto a rack, brush with the pan juices and grill for 5 to 8 minutes until sticky and charred at the edges.
7 min - 6
Rest for 5 minutes, cut between the bones and serve with your ready made salsa taquera (see the base recipe) and lime wedges.
Tips
- Remove the thin membrane on the bone side of the ribs for more tender meat.
- Seal the foil tightly. It keeps the steam in and the meat moist.
- Boil leftover raw marinade for at least 3 minutes before using it as a glaze.
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.
Questions
Can I cook the ribs on a barbecue?
Yes. Bake as above, then finish on a hot barbecue for 5 to 10 minutes per side to char. This is the easiest way to feed a crowd.
Are the ribs spicy?
Only mildly. Heat comes from the salsa taquera, which is hot. Skip it for a family version.
Can I use a slow cooker?
Yes. Cook the ribs on low for 8 hours, then finish under the grill.
More made with salsa taquera (roasted chile de arbol salsa)
Huevos al Albañil (Bricklayer's Eggs in Fiery Salsa)
DFNFVTorta Ahogada de Birria (Drowned Birria Sandwich)
EFNFHPTacos al Pastor (Marinated Pork and Pineapple Tacos)
GFDFEFPambazos de Birria (Chilli-Dipped Birria Rolls)
EFNFHPSee every dish made with salsa taquera (roasted chile de arbol salsa)
Double 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.