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Chile-Lime Baby Back Ribs

4 servings
Costillitas con Sal, Chile y Limón

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds baby back ribs
  • 1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 10 to 12 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons dried piquín chile, or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt, or more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Green Piquín Chile and Oregano Salsa, to serve

To Prepare

  • Ask your butcher to cut the baby back rib racks in half, making them half their width. Once at home, remove their back membrane. Cut them into pieces with 3 ribs per piece and place them in a bowl.
  • Make the marinade: In the jar of a blender, add the lime juice, vinegar, oil, garlic, dried piquín, oregano, salt, and pepper. Puree until completely smooth.
  • Pour the marinade over the ribs and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator anywhere from 2 to 24 hours.
  • When ready to cook, remove the ribs from the refrigerator. Preheat your grill to medium. Brush the grill grates clean with a large piece of white onion.
  • Place the ribs in 3 to 4 large pieces of aluminum foil, in a single layer and seal the tops tightly, making flat packets. Place them over direct heat and cook for 1 hour, flipping the packets over once in between.
  • Remove the packets from the grill, open them up, and place the ribs directly on the grates, bone sides down first. Grill for about 4 to 5 more minutes per side, with the lid closed, until they char and brown for a delicious crunch along the edges.
  • Serve with the Green Piquín Chile and Oregano Salsa on the side, to dip the ribs as you eat them.