Last Updated on March 18, 2023
Tablitas Recipe is a Mexican-style dish of beef short ribs marinated in a blend of spices, herbs, and chiles. This recipe has been a favorite for generations, especially among the people from Mexico and Central America. The short ribs are simmered over low heat to create tender, juicy meat that is full of flavor.
In this blog post, we’ll provide a detailed description of how to make this Tablitas Recipe. We’ll also provide some tips on how to best serve the dish, as well as information on the different variations that are available. So let’s get into it!

How did I first get introduced to Tablitas?
I was first introduced to Tablitas when I visited friends in El Salvador who served me this delicious dish. Since then, I have been hooked on the flavors and aromas that come from this preparation of beef short ribs.
Should I Use Bone-in or Boneless Short Ribs?
For this short ribs recipe, you should use Flanken cut bone-in beef short ribs (which are ¼-inch thick and cut across the bone).
Alternatively, you can also use thin-cut beef chuck steaks and cook them similarly.
Bone-in short ribs will provide more flavor, but boneless short ribs are easier to handle in the kitchen.

Ingredients
Meat:
1 pound meat (beef top round steak)
2 pound beef short ribs
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1 tbsp olive oil
Pepper
Salt
Salsa:
1/4 yellow onion
3 garlic cloves
1/4 bunch of cilantro
7 serrano peppers
10 tomatillos
1/2 tbsp of chicken bouillon
Salt
3/4 cup of water
How to Make Mexican Tablitas (Beef Short Ribs)?
Making Mexican tablitas, or beef short ribs is a great way to turn a budget-friendly cut of meat into something special. The key to making the best tablitas is to marinate them for at least 3 hours before grilling.
Here, we’re giving you the step by step instructions for making the most delicious tablitas you’ve ever had.
Directions
Before starting to cook tablitas, you need to do the following prep:
– Slice the short rib into portions (approximately 2-3 bones each)
– Clean and chop the vegetables
– Tomatillos – take away the outer foliage and rinse
– Serranos – discard the stem
– Cilantro – cleanse and divide 1/4 of the bunch
– Onion – peel and dice
– Garlic – skin off
Once you’ve done the above prep work, now follow the step by step instructions:
Step 1
Begin by seasoning the beef short ribs and top the round steak with salt, pepper, and cumin powder on both sides.
Step 2
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil.
Step 3
Add the beef short ribs and top round steak to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes on each side until lightly browned and cooked through. Remove from heat when done and set aside on a plate.
Step 4
Next, prepare the salsa by adding 3 cloves of garlic, 1/4 onion, salt, 8 serrano peppers, 10 tomatillos, 1/4 bunch of cilantro to a blender or food processor along with 1/2 tbsp of chicken bouillon and 3/4 cup of water. Blend until smooth.
Step 5
Return the skillet to medium-high heat, the salsa mixture, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 6
Then, add in the beef short ribs, top round steak, 1/4 onion and stir everything together until combined. Lower the heat to low and simmer for about 40 minutes or until the meat is tender.
Step 7
Serve with warm tortillas or over rice with your favorite toppings!
Tips
– You can also use a slow cooker instead of a skillet to make this recipe if you prefer. Follow steps 1-3, transfer everything to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
– For extra flavor, add 1/2 cup of beer or apple cider vinegar to the salsa mixture before cooking.

Tablitas Recipe
Equipment
- 1 large skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound meat (beef top round steak)
- 2 pound beef short ribs
- 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tbsp 1 tbsp olive oil
- Pepper
- Salt
Instructions
- Begin by seasoning the beef short ribs and top the round steak with salt, pepper, and cumin powder on both sides.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil.
- Add the beef short ribs and top round steak to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes on each side until lightly browned and cooked through. Remove from heat when done and set aside on a plate.
- Next, prepare the salsa by adding 3 cloves of garlic, 1/4 onion, salt, 8 serrano peppers, 10 tomatillos, 1/4 bunch of cilantro to a blender or food processor along with 1/2 tbsp of chicken bouillon and 3/4 cup of water. Blend until smooth.
- Return the skillet to medium-high heat, the salsa mixture, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Then, add in the beef short ribs, top round steak, 1/4 onion and stir everything together until combined. Lower the heat to low and simmer for about 40 minutes or until the meat is tender.
- Serve with warm tortillas or over rice with your favorite toppings!
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
1 Serving Size: 4 oz (113 g)
Calories: 270 kcal
Total Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 82 mg
Sodium: 513 mg
Carbohydrates: 8 g
Fiber: 3 g
Sugar: 5 g
Protein 32g
What to serve with Beef Short Ribs?
You can serve many side dishes with Mexican Tablitas. Some popular accompaniments include refried beans, Spanish rice, corn tortillas, guacamole and fresh pico de gallo.
Can pregnant women eat this?
Pregnant women should consult their healthcare provider before eating foods such as beef short ribs due to high cholesterol levels. If your doctor gives you the go-ahead, it is recommended to consume meats instead of raw meats to reduce any potential risk.
Wrapping Up
Thanks for reading this blog post about how to make Mexican Tablitas Recipe (Beef Short Ribs). This classic dish has been a favorite for generations, and we hope you’ll try it.
If you have any questions about this recipe or would like to share your own version of tablitas, let us know in the comments section below!
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My name is Lori Walker. I’m a registered dietician and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more