🛒 What Is a Meat Cocido Mix?
If you’ve ever stopped by your local carnicería and seen a tray labeled “Meat Cocido Mix” or “Carne para Cocido,” you’ve found one of the most flavorful bases in Mexican and Spanish home cooking.
This mix isn’t a single cut — it’s a combination of meats and bones that are perfect for slow cooking. Typically, you’ll find:
- Beef shank or short rib for richness
- Pork belly or rib for fat and flavor
- Chicken leg or thigh for tenderness
- Chorizo or morcilla (sausage) for depth
- Ham bones or marrow bones for a strong broth base
The goal? A stew that’s hearty, aromatic, and layered with flavor.
🍲 What Can You Make with a Meat Cocido Mix?
The meat cocido mix is ideal for slow-simmered dishes like:
- Cocido Madrileño (Spanish stew)
- Caldo de Res or Mexican Cocido (beef and veggie soup)
- Rich broths for rice or fideo soups
Because the mix includes different types of meat and bones, you end up with a nutrient-dense, deeply flavored broth and tender meat that can be repurposed into tacos, tortas, or croquetas later on.
🇪🇸 Recipe 1: Classic Cocido Madrileño
Keywords: cocido madrileño recipe, Spanish cocido, traditional cocido
Ingredients:
Beef shank, pork belly, chicken leg, chorizo, chickpeas, potatoes, carrots, onion, garlic, and bay leaf.
Instructions:
- Add meats and bones to a large pot with water, onion, and garlic. Bring to a boil and skim foam.
- Add soaked chickpeas and simmer 1 hour.
- Add carrots and potatoes; cook until tender.
- Add chorizo and morcilla for the last 15 minutes.
- Serve in three courses: broth with noodles, vegetables/legumes, and finally the meats.
Pro Tip: Save leftover broth to make Sopa de Fideo the next day!
🇲🇽 Recipe 2: Caldo de Res Mexicano
Keywords: caldo de res, Mexican beef soup, cocido mexicano
Ingredients:
Beef shank or ribs, carrots, potatoes, cabbage, corn rounds, onion, garlic, and cilantro.
Instructions:
- Boil beef and bones with onion, garlic, and bay leaves.
- Simmer 1½ hours until tender.
- Add vegetables and cook until soft.
- Garnish with cilantro and lime.
This soup is a Mexican comfort classic — warm, hearty, and perfect with tortillas on the side.
♻️ Recipe 3: Leftover Cocido Meat Croquetas & Tacos
Keywords: croquetas de cocido, leftover cocido meat, cocido tacos
- Croquetas: Mix shredded meats with béchamel, form balls, bread, and fry.
- Tacos: Shred leftover meats, warm in a skillet with salsa, and serve with tortillas, onions, and cilantro.
🐖 What Are Costillas de Puerco?
Costillas de Puerco (pork ribs) are a favorite carnicería cut — bone-in ribs full of flavor and marbling. Depending on the butcher, you may find:
- Spare ribs (costillas grandes) – meatier, best for stews and sauces
- Baby back ribs (costillas tiernas) – tender and great for baking or grilling
- Country-style ribs (costillas estilo campesino) – bonier, perfect for braising
Their flavor shines through when cooked low and slow — ideal for salsa roja, salsa verde, or oven-roasted ribs.
🌶️ Recipe 4: Costillas de Puerco en Salsa Roja
Keywords: costillas de puerco en salsa roja, Mexican pork ribs, ribs in red chile sauce
Ingredients:
Pork ribs, guajillo chiles, morita chiles, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and salt.
Instructions:
- Boil ribs in salted water with bay leaves until tender and the liquid evaporates.
- Toast and blend chiles, tomatoes, onion, and garlic into a smooth red salsa.
- Pour salsa over ribs and simmer 15–20 minutes.
- Serve with rice and warm corn tortillas.
🌿 Recipe 5: Costillas de Puerco en Salsa Verde
Keywords: costillas de puerco en salsa verde, tomatillo pork ribs, Mexican green sauce ribs
Ingredients:
Pork ribs, tomatillos, jalapeños, onion, garlic, cilantro, cumin, and potatoes (optional).
Instructions:
- Boil tomatillos and jalapeños; blend with garlic, onion, and cilantro.
- Boil ribs until tender, then sear lightly.
- Add green sauce and simmer until thick.
- Serve with rice or tortillas.
🔥 Recipe 6: Oven-Roasted Costillas de Puerco
Keywords: oven roasted pork ribs, costillas de puerco al horno, Mexican BBQ ribs
Ingredients:
Pork ribs, dry rub (garlic powder, cumin, paprika, brown sugar), olive oil, and BBQ sauce (optional).
Instructions:
- Remove membrane, season ribs generously, and marinate 2 hours.
- Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 2–3 hours, covered.
- Uncover, brush with BBQ or adobo glaze, and broil until caramelized.
- Rest and slice between bones.
🧂 Final Thoughts: Cooking with Carnicería Cuts
Both Meat Cocido Mix and Costillas de Puerco celebrate traditional Latin comfort food — simple cuts transformed through slow cooking and love. Check out our meats by clicking here! Curious about our deli menu, click here to see our full deli menu! Want to see more recipes, click here to see our socials!