Pork Menudo: Filipino’s Comfort Food
DifficultyMedium
Total time1 hour35 minutes
Servings6-8 People
Pork Menudo is a beloved tomato-based stew often seen at fiestas, birthday parties, and celebrations. It includes cubed pork, potatoes, liver, carrots, and raisins.
Originally from Mexico, menudo is typically a soup with intestines and tripe. When Spain introduced it to the Philippines during their 300-year colonization, Filipinos adapted it to local tastes and ingredients.
I have fond childhood memories of menudo. Every family gathering featured a large pot of this delicious stew, simmering on the stove. As the aroma of tomatoes, soy sauce, and lemon filled the house, everyone’s mouth would water. My grandmother always made menudo, marinating the pork in soy sauce and lemon to ensure it absorbed all the flavors.
One of my favorite memories is helping my grandmother in the kitchen. She would let me peel potatoes and carrots while she expertly chopped everything into perfect cubes. She always said the secret to great menudo was in the preparation and the love you put into it.
Surprisingly, I can enjoy menudo for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for an entire week! It’s my all-time comfort food. The tender pork, soft potatoes, and sweet raisins in a rich sauce are incredibly comforting. Although I prefer my potatoes and carrots soft, you can adjust the texture to your liking.
Filipino cooking emphasizes balanced flavors. We often use sugar to ensure the dish isn’t too sour or salty—it has to be just right. My grandmother always said the key to perfect menudo is balancing flavors and cooking with love.
Over the years, I’ve experimented with different menudo variations. Sometimes, I substitute chicken for pork or add bell peppers for extra color and flavor. No matter how I make it, menudo always brings back warm, nostalgic memories of family gatherings and my grandmother’s kitchen.
Variations:
- Chicken Menudo
- Pork Giniling
- Beef Menudo
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Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 lb Pork, Cut into cubes
- 1 cup Pork Liver, Cut into cubes
- 1 cup Tomato Paste
- 1 cup Red Hotdogs, Cut diagonally
- 1 1/2 cup Carrots, Cut into cubes
- 1 1/2 cup Potatoes, Cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup Soy Sauce
- 1/2 cup Yellow Onion, Minced
- 1/2 cup Raisins
- 5 pcs Bay Leaves
- 2 tbsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Ground Pepper
- Juice of half a lemon
Instructions
Instructions
- 1
Marinate the Pork: In a large bowl, combine the cubed pork, soy sauce, and lemon juice. Mix well and let it marinate for at least an hour to absorb the flavors.
- 2
Cook the Pork Liver: Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the cubed pork liver and fry until it changes color. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- 3
Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Sauté the minced onions and garlic until they become fragrant and translucent.
- 4
Cook the Pork: Add the marinated pork to the pan and cook for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a boil.
- 5
Simmer with Tomato Sauce: Once boiling, add the tomato sauce. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 30-45 minutes, or until the pork is tender.
- 6
Add Vegetables and Seasonings: Add the cubed potatoes, carrots, red hotdogs, raisins, bay leaves, sugar, salt, and ground pepper. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- 7
Final Simmer: Continue to simmer the stew for another 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together.
- 8
Serve: Remove the bay leaves before serving. Enjoy your delicious Pork Menudo with steamed rice!
Notes
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can marinate the pork overnight in the refrigerator.
- Adjust the sweetness and saltiness to your preference by adding more or less sugar and salt.
- You can substitute chicken or beef for pork if desired.
- Adding bell peppers or green peas can give the dish extra color and flavor.
Equipment
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Large pan or pot
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Nutrition
Nutrition
| Calories | 969 |
| Carbohydrates | 51g |
| Cholesterol | 189mg |
| Fat | 62g |
| Fiber | 4g |
| Protein | 54g |
| Saturated Fat | 23g |
| Iron | 4g |
| Potassium | 721mg |
| Vitamin A and C | 92 μg |21 mg |
| Calcium | 140mg |