Short Rib Beef Tostadas Recipe with Pineapple Salsa and Cotija

This short rib beef tostadas recipe with pineapple salsa and cotija features melt-in-your-mouth-tender meat paired with sweet and spicy fresh pineapple salsa. Cotija cheese adds creamy texture and a touch of salty flavor for a perfect balance.

Mexican food is like a beautiful dance, and I find it has a lot of harmony.

Slow-cooked complex sauces brightened with fresh ingredients like cilantro and perfectly ripe tomato.

Spice and heat are balanced by cheese and cream.

Meats are cooked until fall-apart-tender, and wrapped up in soft tortillas or served on crunchy tostadas.

Without a doubt, I could eat Mexican food every day and be a happy girl!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Tender, flavorful beef. Short ribs are tender enough to cut with a fork and melt in your mouth! Not to mention, it’s packed with rich beef flavor and has the perfect spice level. You could use ground beef to save time, but short ribs definitely take these beef tostadas to the next level.
• Fresh, sweet and tangy fruit salsa. Pineapple in a savory context might sound strange, but it really works here. It’s the secret component that makes these tostadas unforgettable!
• Crispy, cheesy base. A crispy bottom layer is a must for tostadas, and for good reason. It adds texture and crunch! And here we take it one step further and top it with gooey melted cheese.

The Best Beef Tostadas Recipe

I love the balance that’s present in Mexican cuisine.

Bold flavors from chili peppers, mellowed by creamy cheeses.

Complex moles that simmer all day, brightened by the freshness of cilantro or a quick homemade salsa, paired with a simply-cooked tender meat.

There’s usually a rainbow of vegetables present, such as zucchini, squash, and peppers.

Rice is common if it’s a sit-down occasion, or tortillas if you want something portable.

Mexican cuisine truly has something for everyone!

This recipe for beef tostadas features perfectly spiced, melt-in-your-mouth tender short ribs. We use a base of corn tortillas that are crisped and topped with Mexican melting cheese. Sweet and tangy pineapple salsa with a touch of spicy heat brightens the dish. And lastly, a dollop of chipotle-spiced Mexican sour cream and a sprinkle of Cotija cheese are the finishing touches.

How to Cook Beef Short Ribs

Tougher cuts of meat, such as beef short ribs, turn out really well when braised. The result is melt-in-your-mouth tender meat!

There are a few different methods that can be used to achieve this. No matter which method you’re using, brown the ribs first before cooking in liquid until they’re fall-apart tender.

What is Braising?

Braising is basically a two-step cooking method involving dry and wet heat.

Step 1: Dry Heat

Sear the meat in a little oil (or other fat with a high smoke point) in a hot pan to get a little caramelization (aka browning) on the outside.

A Dutch oven is a good option because it’s oven-proof and convenient if you’re using the oven method so you don’t have to switch pots.

If you’re using another cooking method, such as a slow cooker or pressure cooker, you can use a large heavy-bottomed skillet instead of a Dutch oven to sear the meat. If you’re using an electric pressure cooker (such as an Instant Pot), you can use it to brown the meat (on the “Sauté” setting).

Step 2: Wet Heat

Cook the meat low and slow in a flavorful bath of liquid in a covered Dutch oven until it’s fall-apart tender.

Braising Methods for Short Ribs

There are a few different ways you can cook a meat low and slow when you’re braising. Here we will discuss the oven method, slow cooker method, and electric pressure cooker method.

Oven Method

After searing the ribs in a hot Dutch oven on the stovetop, deglaze the pan. To do so, remove the meat (transfer it to a bowl and set aside for now).

To the same pan, add any chopped vegetables you like, such as onion, garlic, carrots, celery, etc. and cook a couple minutes until they start to sweat. Add a couple splashes of liquid (such as broth, stock, beer, wine, water, etc.), and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any brown bits that have formed on the bottom of the pan.

Add the meat back along with enough liquid to nearly cover it. Cover the Dutch oven. transfer it to a 350F preheated oven, and cook until the meat is falling apart (about 2 to 2 1/2 hours).

Slow Cooker Method

Sear the ribs in a hot skillet on the stovetop, and then deglaze the pan using the same method I describe in the oven method.

Once the meat is seared, the vegetables are sautéed a little, and the pan is deglazed, everything gets put into a slow cooker and cooked on LOW for 8 to 10 hours.

This method is a great choice if you want to come home from work to a hot home-cooked meal.

Instant Pot (Electric Pressure Cooker) Method – The Method We Use to Make Beef Tostadas

This method is definitely the fastest way to get ribs on the table without sacrificing flavor or texture. The cook time is just under an hour!

Plus there’s the added bonus of being able to sear the meat right in the Instant Pot.

See the recipe below for detailed instructions on this cooking method.

Tostadas FAQs

What is a Tostada?

Tostada means “toasted”. In Mexican and other Latin American cuisine, a tostada refers to a dish that uses a crispy toasted tortilla as the base. The tortilla can be toasted in an oven or fried.

What is the Difference Between a Taco and a Tostada?

Tostadas are served “open-faced”, while tacos are folded over.

What Type of Mexican Cheese is Good for Melting?

There are a few different types of Mexican cheese that melt really well, including:

• Oaxaca
• Asadero
• Chihuahua

More Mexican Dishes to Make

• Mexican Corn Salad
• Virgin Mango Margarita Mocktail with Meyer Lemon
• Pico de Gallo (Mexican Salsa Fresca)