MENUDO ROJO

Traditional Menudo Recipe with Red Chile Sauce

Menudo is a classic Mexican soup made from tripe (beef stomach) and seasoned with a rich red chile sauce. This flavorful and hearty dish is known for its comforting and restorative qualities. It’s commonly enjoyed as a weekend meal, especially as a hangover cure! This traditional recipe, featuring hominy, beef feet, and a homemade red chile sauce, delivers an authentic taste of Mexican cuisine. With its bold flavors, menudo is perfect for gatherings, offering warmth and comfort in every bite.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• 8 pounds honeycomb tripe, rinsed and cut into 1-inch squares
• 5 pounds beef tripe, rinsed and fat trimmed
• 2 pounds beef feet (patas), quartered
• 3 large yellow onions, diced
• 3 small heads garlic, unpeeled (for broth)
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled (for red sauce)
• 16 peppercorns
• 5 tablespoons kosher salt, or to taste
• 5 teaspoons Mexican oregano, dried
• 2 bay leaves
• 15 quarts water

For the Red Chile Sauce:

• 4 dried Árbol chiles
• 10 dried guajillo chiles
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 3 tablespoons ground cumin
• 2 cans (6 pounds 9 oz) white hominy, drained

Preparing and Cleaning the Tripe

1. Rinse the honeycomb tripe and beef tripe thoroughly under cold water. Trim any excess fat from both types of tripe to avoid a greasy or off-putting flavor.
2. Cut the tripe into 1-inch square pieces and place them in a large stockpot filled with water. Let the tripe soak for two hours, changing the water once halfway through to ensure it’s well-rinsed and clean.

Making the Red Chile Sauce

1. Start by removing the stems and seeds from the dried Árbol and guajillo chiles. Toast the chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds, or until they’re fragrant. This step releases the chiles’ natural oils and enhances the sauce’s flavor.
2. Once toasted, place the chiles in a saucepan and add enough water to cover. Simmer the chiles on low heat for about 30 minutes, allowing them to soften and rehydrate.
3. Add one halved onion and 3 cloves of peeled garlic to the simmering water. These will infuse more depth into the chile sauce.
4. After 30 minutes, transfer the softened chiles, onion, garlic, and 3 tablespoons ground cumin into a blender. Add a ladleful of the simmering chile broth (about 1 cup) to help blend everything smoothly.
5. Blend the mixture until it’s a very smooth puree, adding more broth if needed to reach a pourable consistency.
6. Strain the chile sauce through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl to remove any seeds or skin, resulting in a smooth sauce. Store the red chile sauce in the refrigerator until it’s time to add it to the menudo.

Cooking the Menudo

1. Place the soaked tripe, beef feet, diced onions, unpeeled garlic heads, peppercorns, kosher salt, dried oregano, and bay leaves into a large stockpot.
2. Pour in the 15 quarts of water and bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.
3. Simmer the menudo uncovered for about 2 hours. This process tenderizes the tripe and beef feet while infusing the broth with the flavors of garlic, peppercorns, and oregano.
4. After 2 hours, use tongs to carefully remove the unpeeled garlic heads from the pot. Discard these as they’ve imparted their flavor to the broth.

Adding the Hominy and Red Chile Sauce

1. Drain and rinse the cans of white hominy, then add them to the simmering pot. The hominy provides a satisfying, chewy texture that balances the soft tripe.
2. Pour in the prepared red chile sauce along with the chicken stock to add richness and depth to the broth.
3. Stir the ingredients thoroughly to ensure everything is well combined. Continue to cook the menudo on a low simmer for an additional 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

Finishing Touches

1. After 3 hours, check the consistency of the tripe and beef feet. They should be tender but not overly soft. Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning with additional salt if needed.
2. Serve the menudo hot, garnished with fresh cilantro if desired. Menudo pairs wonderfully with warm tortillas, lime wedges, and a sprinkle of chopped onions for an authentic presentation.

Tips for Making Perfect Menudo

• Tripe Preparation: Properly cleaning and trimming the tripe is essential to reduce any unwanted odors or flavors. Rinsing and soaking the tripe also helps improve its texture.
• Chile Selection: Árbol chiles add heat, while guajillo chiles bring a milder, earthy flavor. Adjust the ratio according to your spice preference.
• Cooking Time: Menudo requires a long cooking time for the tripe and beef feet to become tender. Be patient; the low and slow simmering process is what brings out the dish’s authentic flavor.
• Serving Suggestions: Menudo is often served with fresh lime wedges, chopped onions, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes for customization. Warm corn tortillas on the side are perfect for dipping into the flavorful broth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make menudo with pork instead of beef?
Traditional menudo is made with beef tripe and beef feet, but some variations use pork. You can substitute with pork if desired, but the flavor will differ slightly.

What’s the best way to remove the smell from tripe?
Thoroughly rinsing, trimming, and soaking the tripe is key to reducing its smell. Adding aromatic ingredients like onion, garlic, and bay leaves during cooking also helps mellow any strong odors.

How do I store leftover menudo?
Store leftover menudo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld, making it even tastier. Reheat on the stove over medium heat before serving.

Can I freeze menudo?
Yes, menudo freezes well. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Is menudo healthy?
Menudo is rich in protein and has a relatively low calorie count, but it is high in sodium. The tripe provides essential nutrients like vitamins B12 and B6, zinc, and iron. Adjusting the salt to your preference can make it a healthier option.

Enjoy the authentic flavors and comfort of homemade menudo! This traditional recipe is a true labor of love, but the result is worth every step. Serve it with your favorite toppings for a satisfying and flavorful meal.