Tablitas Recipe (Beef Short Ribs) | Easy Kitchen Guide

By Lori Walker, MS, RD | Published on March 14, 2023 | Last Updated on July 9, 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!

What kind of meat is tablitas?

Tablitas or Costilla de Res are cut beef ribs about 3/8″ thick. They are usually pre-marinated or plain, making a delicious addition to any dish.

Tablitas can be cooked in a variety of ways, such as grilling, barbecuing, roasting, frying, stewing, braising… the options really are endless!

The hearty flavor of tablitas adds robustness to any meal when paired with side dishes like rice or potatoes.

No matter what cooking method you choose, tablitas promise to bring amazing flavor and a juicy texture to your meals.

With their versatile preparation methods and delicious flavor, it’s no wonder that tablitas are becoming increasingly popular around the world.

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: how to marinate tablitas

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 5 minutes on each side until lightly browned and cooked. 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 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.

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.

How long to grill tablitas?

Tablitas should be grilled for approximately 3 to 5 minutes per side, depending on thickness, or until golden brown. If using a charcoal grill, use medium-high heat and adjust the coals as needed to prevent burning.

If using a gas grill, preheat it to medium-high heat before adding the tablitas. Be sure to turn them regularly so they cook evenly on all sides.

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, consuming meats instead of raw meats is recommended 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 Mexican short ribs tablitas has been a favorite for generations, and we hope you’ll try it.

If you have any questions about this recipe or want to share your version of tablitas, let us know in the comments section below! 

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