Menudo (Filipino Pork and Liver Tomato Stew)
In short: Diced pork and liver simmered with potatoes, carrots, chickpeas and raisins in a savory tomato sauce, a Filipino stew served at fiestas and family meals. It takes about 1 h 20 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Total
- 1 h 20 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 395 kcal
Filipino menudo is a tomato stew of diced pork, liver, potato, carrot and bell pepper, often with chickpeas and a handful of raisins for sweetness. It is not the Mexican tripe soup of the same name. Everything is cut into small, even cubes so that it cooks together and sits neatly on a spoonful of rice. It is common at fiestas, birthdays and family lunches, and keeps well for days.
Instructions
- Mix the pork shoulder with the soy sauce and calamansi juice and marinate for 20 minutes. Drain, saving the marinade.
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown the pork for 6 to 8 minutes, until lightly colored on all sides.
- Add the onion and garlic and cook for 3 minutes, until soft. Pour in the tomato sauce, the reserved marinade, the water and the bay leaves.
- Bring to a simmer, cover and cook on low for 25 to 30 minutes, until the pork is nearly tender.
- Add the potatoes, carrots and chickpeas. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, until the vegetables are almost tender.
- Stir in the liver, bell pepper and raisins. Simmer uncovered for 5 to 6 minutes, until the liver is cooked through with no pink inside and the sauce is thick.
- Taste and adjust with the sugar, salt and pepper. Serve hot with steamed rice.
Tips
- Do not cook the liver too early or for too long, because it turns dry and grainy. Added near the end, it stays soft.
- Cut all the pieces to a similar small size so that everything is tender at the same time. For a milder liver flavor, soak the cubes in cold water with a splash of vinegar for 15 minutes, then drain.
Questions and answers
Is Filipino menudo the same as Mexican menudo?
No. Filipino menudo is a tomato stew of diced pork and liver with vegetables. Mexican menudo is a tripe soup.
Can I make menudo without liver?
Yes. Use extra pork or add sliced sausage in its place. The sauce is still rich without liver.
Can I make menudo ahead of time?
Yes, and it tastes better the next day. Keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat it gently.
How long does it take to make Menudo (Filipino Pork and Liver Tomato Stew)?
About 1 h 20 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 55 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Menudo (Filipino Pork and Liver Tomato Stew)?
About 395 kcal per serving, with 28 g of protein, 26 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 395 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 26 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
