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Margarita-Style Pork Spare Ribs Recipe with Tequila, Lime, and Chili

Margarita-Style Pork Spare Ribs

Pork spare ribs are marinated in tequila, lime, orange, garlic, cilantro, jalapeño, and spices, then slow-baked until tender and finished over heat for a lightly charred crust.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 3 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

Ribs
  • 4 lb Pork spare ribs
Margarita Marinade
  • 1/2 cup Blanco tequila
  • 1/2 cup Fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 cup Fresh orange juice
  • 1/4 cup Olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons Chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
  • 4 Garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 Small jalapeño, seeded and finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons Light brown sugar or agave syrup
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Remove the thin membrane from the bone side of the ribs and pat the ribs dry. Whisk the tequila, lime juice, orange juice, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, jalapeño, brown sugar or agave, salt, cumin, chili powder, and black pepper together in a bowl.
  2. Place the ribs in a nonreactive dish or large resealable bag and pour the marinade over them. Seal or cover, refrigerate for 4 to 8 hours, and turn the ribs occasionally so the marinade coats them evenly.
  3. Heat the oven to 300°F. Remove the ribs from the marinade, reserving it only if you will boil it vigorously for at least 1 minute before using it as a finishing sauce.
  4. Arrange the ribs meat-side up in a foil-lined roasting pan and cover the pan tightly with foil. Bake for approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours, until the meat is pulling back from the bones and a skewer slides into the meat easily.
  5. Finish the ribs on a medium-hot grill or under a broiler for 5 to 8 minutes per side, turning as needed, until browned and lightly charred. Brush with a separately boiled portion of marinade or a fresh glaze during the final minutes.
  6. Rest the ribs for 10 minutes before cutting between the bones. Garnish with additional cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

Notes

Never use raw marinade as a finishing sauce. Boil reserved marinade vigorously for at least 1 minute before brushing, or prepare a separate batch for finishing. For barbecue-style tenderness, rely on the covered cooking time and look for meat pulling back from the bones; the ribs are usually around 190-205°F internally when soft and tender.