Cuban recipe

Oven-Baked Pork Ribs with Tamarind, Honey and Cuban Mojo Glaze

Name: Oven-Baked Pork Ribs with Tamarind, Honey and Cuban Mojo Glaze
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 150 min
Total time: 185 min
Ingredients: 1.6 kg fresh pork ribs, in one or two racks; 5 cloves garlic, crushed; 75 ml sour orange juice; 20 ml oil; 1 teaspoon cumin; 1 teaspoon oregano; 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste; Pepper to taste; 100 ml water for the baking dish; 90 g natural seedless tamarind pulp; 120 ml hot water; 45 g honey; 20 g brown sugar, optional; 20 ml sour orange juice; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 pinch of salt

Slow-roasted ribs with Cuban mojo and a glossy tamarind and honey glaze.

CiberCubaNovember 12, 2026

AI-generated image.CiberCuba

Preparation25 min
Cooking2 h 30 min
Total time3 h 5 min
Servings4 servings
DifficultyMedium

These ribs combine the flavor of Cuban mojo with a sweet-and-sour tamarind and honey glaze. Slow cooking in the oven tenderizes the meat before it gets a glossy finish at high heat.

They are a good choice for sharing with family, served with congrí or boiled yuca.

Method

Remove the tough membrane from the back of the ribs, if present, and pat the meat dry.
AI-generated image.CiberCuba
Mix the 5 crushed garlic cloves with the 75 ml sour orange juice, oil, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper. Rub the ribs with this mojo. If you want to marinate them, cover and refrigerate for 1 to 4 hours.
AI-generated image.CiberCuba
Preheat the oven to 160 °C. Pour the 100 ml water into a baking dish and place the ribs on top, meaty side up. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil, making sure it does not touch the heating elements.
Bake for 2 hours to 2 hours and 15 minutes, until the meat is fully cooked and nearly tender. For tender ribs, aim for an internal temperature close to 88–93 °C, depending on their thickness.
AI-generated image.CiberCuba
While the ribs bake, dilute the tamarind pulp in the 120 ml hot water and strain it. Put the liquid in a saucepan with the honey, optional sugar, 20 ml sour orange juice, minced garlic and pinch of salt. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until you have a thick, glossy syrup.
AI-generated image.CiberCuba
Uncover the ribs and remove the excess liquid from the dish. Increase the oven temperature to 220 °C. Set aside the sauce you will serve at the table and brush the ribs with some of the remaining glaze, using a clean brush.
AI-generated image.CiberCuba
Bake for another 8 to 12 minutes. Brush again during the last few minutes and watch to make sure the honey and sugar do not burn.
Let rest for 10 minutes, cut between the bones and serve with the reserved sauce. Serve with prepared congrí or boiled yuca, if desired.