Pork Menudo Recipe – A Flavorful Filipino Stew To Try

If you’re looking for a hearty, full-flavored dish that’s not just your typical stew, you’ve come to the right place! The star of today’s culinary journey is Pork Menudo, a vibrant Filipino stew that warms the heart and soul. Let’s dive right into what makes this recipe unique, considering the simple ingredients, the easy procedure, and the distinct Filipino flavors that make this a beloved dish for many.

A Burst of Color and Flavor: What’s In a Pork Menudo?

Pork Menudo is a flavorful main dish generously studded with colorful ingredients. At its heart, it’s a pork stew, but it’s one that’s amplified by the addition of liver, potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and garbanzo beans, all swimming in a rich tomato gravy.

This stew isn’t just visually appealing with its burst of colors and offers a distinct flavor experience. Raisins add a surprising touch of sweetness that balances the savory elements, making every spoonful a delightful surprise.

Pork Menudo: A Recipe for Every Occasion

Whether cooking for a quiet family dinner or preparing for a large gathering, this Pork Menudo recipe has you covered. Here’s why this dish is a must-have for your culinary repertoire.

As complex as it may sound, Pork Menudo is actually simple to make. It’s a one-pan recipe that even beginners can master. The procedure involves sautéing, simmering, and adding ingredients in stages, each contributing to the stew’s deep, rich flavor.

Budget-Friendly

This recipe calls for relatively inexpensive ingredients commonly available in most kitchens. The key ingredients include pork shoulder and liver, potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers. A hearty splash of tomato sauce brings everything together, and touches of soy sauce and calamansi juice lend that distinct Filipino flavor.

Party-Ready

The recipe can be easily doubled or tripled, depending on the size of your crowd. Pork Menudo is a festive addition to any party with its vibrant colors and robust flavors. It’s also a popular dish at Philippine town fiestas and gatherings, making it a tried-and-true crowd-pleaser.

Best Served with…

While Pork Menudo is a satisfying main dish, it becomes a complete meal when paired with steamed rice. It can also be used as a sandwich filling for pandesal or sliced bread, making it a versatile choice for any meal of the day.

The Filipino Stew Trio: Pork Menudo, Kaldereta, and Afritada

Pork Menudo, Kaldereta, and Afritada are all classic stews in Filipino cuisine, each with its unique identity despite seeming similarities. They each represent the multicultural influences on Filipino food and employ the slow-cooking stew method, creating comforting, homely dishes. Kaldereta, traditionally made with goat meat but often substituted with beef or chicken, is known for its rich, spicy tomato sauce and creamy texture thanks to liver spread or paste. Afritada, on the other hand, is a lighter, simpler stew always made with chicken, potatoes, bell peppers, and sometimes peas, simmered in a tomato sauce.

Alternatives and Tips

If you want to try something different or make this recipe your own, here are some tips and alternatives.

• To make the dish more special, consider adding hotdogs or Vienna sausages. These can help extend servings, especially when cooking for a larger crowd.
• You can substitute fresh tomatoes for canned tomato sauce to add more depth of flavor. This also allows you to control the level of acidity in your dish.
• Be careful not to overcook the liver. Add it during the last 5 to 7 minutes of cooking to keep it tender and prevent it from becoming too tough.
• If you can’t find calamansi juice, use lemon or lime juice instead.

Conclusion

Pork Menudo, with its burst of flavors and colors, is a testament to the rich culinary heritage of the Philippines. It’s a heartwarming, satisfying stew that’s perfect for any occasion, any time of the year. So, the next time you’re looking for a dish to wow your guests or comfort your family, remember this flavorful, hearty Filipino stew. And always remember, cooking is more than just following a recipe – it’s about pouring your heart and love into the food you serve.

SEE THE FULL RECIPE BELOW!

Pork Menudo

5 from 1 vote

Course: MainCuisine: FilipinoDifficulty: Medium

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

45

minutes

Calories per Serving

210

kcal

Total time

1

hour 

5

minutes

A colorful and flavorful Filipino stew, Pork Menudo features pork, liver, and a variety of vegetables simmered in a rich tomato sauce. This one-pan, budget-friendly recipe is easy to make and perfect for any occasion.

Cook Mode

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Ingredients

US Metric

• 600 grams 600 grams Pork Shoulder (cut into small cubes)

• 150 grams 150 grams Pork Liver (cut into small cubes)

• Soy Sauce and Calamansi Juice (for marination)

• 1 large 1 large Potato (cut into small cubes)

• 1 medium 1 medium Carrot (cut into small cubes)

• 1 small 1 small Green Bell Pepper (chopped)

• 1 medium 1 medium Red Onion (minced)

• 4 cloves 4 cloves Garlic (minced)

• 50 grams 50 grams Garbanzos

• 2 tbsp 30 g Raisins

• 1 pc 1 pc Hotdog (sliced)

• 200 grams 200 grams Tomato Sauce

• 2 tbsp 32 g Tomato Paste

• 1/2 cup 118.29 ml Water

• 1 pc 1 pc Dried Bayleaf

• 1 tbsp 14.79 ml Olive Oil

• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

• Start by marinating the pork and liver in soy sauce and calamansi juice for at least one hour.
• In a large pan, heat the olive oil sauté liver until tender, remove from pan and set aside.
• In the same pan, sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant.
• Add the marinated pork, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Add water and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until the meat is tender.
• Stir in the tomato sauce and paste, followed by the potato and carrot. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
• Lastly, add the cooked liver and all remaining ingredients and simmer for another 2 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
• And voila, your Pork Menudo is ready to be served!

Recipe Video

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