What is the difference between costillas and chuletas?

Costillas are ribs—the curved bones with attached meat from the ribcage area, typically slow-cooked, grilled, or braised. Chuletas are chops—thicker, individual cuts usually from the loin or shoulder, often pan-fried or grilled quickly. Both come from pork or beef, but they are different cuts with different cooking methods.

How do you say 'spare ribs' in Spanish?

Spare ribs are typically called costillas de cerdo or costillas cortadas (trimmed ribs). In some regions, costillar refers to a full rack of ribs. The American barbecue distinction between spare ribs and baby back ribs does not always have a direct equivalent in Spanish, so describing the cut (costillas cortas, costillas largas) may be necessary.

Are ribs popular in Spanish-speaking countries?

Grilled and braised ribs are enjoyed throughout Latin America, though preparation styles vary widely. In Argentina and Uruguay, costillas are a staple at asados (barbecues). In Mexico, costillas en salsa verde or en adobo are popular home-cooked dishes. In the Caribbean, costillas guisadas (stewed ribs) are common comfort food.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

RIBS in Spanish: COSTILLAS

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Costillas · noun · kohs-TEE-yahs

Ribs are called costillas in Spanish, a word that applies to both the anatomical bones in the ribcage and the popular cut of meat served at barbecues and restaurants. The singular costilla refers to a single rib, while costillas (plural) is more common since ribs are typically served and discussed in multiples. Whether you are describing a medical condition involving the rib bones or ordering a rack of ribs at a restaurant, costillas is the universal term across all Spanish-speaking regions.

kohs-TEE-yahs

Pedí unas costillas a la barbacoa con salsa picante.

I ordered barbecue ribs with hot sauce.

How Native Speakers Use Costillas

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Ordering at a restaurant

Las costillas de cerdo con salsa de barbacoa son la especialidad de la casa.

The pork ribs with barbecue sauce are the house specialty.

Costillas de cerdo specifies pork ribs, the most common type on menus.

Anatomy/medical context

El golpe le fracturó dos costillas del lado derecho.

The blow fractured two ribs on his right side.

In medical contexts, costillas refers to the rib bones in the thorax.

Cooking at home

Mariné las costillas con ajo, limón y comino durante toda la noche.

I marinated the ribs with garlic, lime, and cumin overnight.

Marinating is a common preparation method for costillas in Latin American cooking.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Costillas

Confusing costillas with chuletas

Incorrect: Quiero costillas de cerdo empanizadas. (meaning chops)

Correct: Quiero chuletas de cerdo empanizadas.

Costillas are ribs (long, curved bones with meat), while chuletas are chops (thicker, individual cuts from the loin). They come from different sections of the animal.

Using the singular when ordering

Incorrect: Dame una costilla, por favor. (meaning a rack/plate of ribs)

Correct: Dame unas costillas, por favor.

Since ribs are served in portions of multiple bones, the plural costillas is natural when ordering. Una costilla would sound like you want a single bone.

Lock in Ribs Vocabulary with the Parrot Method

Why word lists alone don't stick

Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.

See Costillas used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using costillas in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Pedí unas costillas a la barbacoa con salsa picante. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

Save, review, repeat, stay consistent

Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.

Common Questions About Ribs in Spanish

What is the difference between costillas and chuletas?: Costillas are ribs—the curved bones with attached meat from the ribcage area, typically slow-cooked, grilled, or braised. Chuletas are chops—thicker, individual cuts usually from the loin or shoulder, often pan-fried or grilled quickly. Both come from pork or beef, but they are different cuts with different cooking methods.
How do you say 'spare ribs' in Spanish?: Spare ribs are typically called costillas de cerdo or costillas cortadas (trimmed ribs). In some regions, costillar refers to a full rack of ribs. The American barbecue distinction between spare ribs and baby back ribs does not always have a direct equivalent in Spanish, so describing the cut (costillas cortas, costillas largas) may be necessary.
Are ribs popular in Spanish-speaking countries?: Grilled and braised ribs are enjoyed throughout Latin America, though preparation styles vary widely. In Argentina and Uruguay, costillas are a staple at asados (barbecues). In Mexico, costillas en salsa verde or en adobo are popular home-cooked dishes. In the Caribbean, costillas guisadas (stewed ribs) are common comfort food.