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–+ servings
Merry

Easy Homemade Menudo for Beginners

Dive into the rich and comforting flavors of Menudo, a traditional Mexican soup made with tender honeycomb tripe, hearty hominy, and a vibrant blend of spices. Simmered to perfection, this dish is the ultimate bowl of warmth and tradition. Garnished with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime, it’s perfect for gatherings or a soulful meal at home.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds honeycomb beef tripe cleaned and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 10 cups water
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 dried guajillo chilies seeds removed
  • 3 cups white hominy drained and rinsed
  • Salt to taste
  • Lime wedges for serving
  • Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish

Method
 

Prepare the Tripe:
  1. Rinse the tripe thoroughly under cold water to remove any impurities.
  2. Soak it in a mixture of water and vinegar for 10 minutes, then rinse again.
Toast the Guajillo Chilies:
  1. Heat a dry skillet over medium heat.
  2. Toast the guajillo chilies for about 2 minutes on each side until fragrant.
  3. Soak the toasted chilies in hot water for 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Cook the Tripe:
  1. In a large pot, combine the cleaned tripe, water, chopped onion, minced garlic, oregano, cumin, and bay leaves.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
Add Chilies and Hominy:
  1. After 3 hours, add the soaked guajillo chilies and hominy to the pot.
  2. Continue to simmer for 1 additional hour, allowing the flavors to meld.
Season and Serve:
  1. Taste the menudo and season with salt as needed.
  2. Serve hot, garnished with fresh lime wedges and chopped cilantro.

Notes

  • Cleaning the Tripe: Properly cleaning the tripe is crucial for the best flavor. The vinegar soak helps eliminate any unwanted odors.
  • Cooking Time: Slow simmering ensures the tripe becomes tender and flavorful.
  • Spice Level: Adjust the amount of guajillo chilies or add a few arbol chilies for extra heat.
  • Make-Ahead Tip: Menudo tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen over time.

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