This Filipino Pork Menudo is a comforting, hearty stew packed with tender pork, vibrant vegetables, and a rich tomato-based sauce. Quick to prepare and bursting with bold flavors, it’s perfect for everyday family meals or special gatherings. Get ready to savor this irresistible Filipino classic!
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No matter if it's a birthday celebration, fiesta, or a quiet after-church reunion, you can bet on one thing in the Philippines – Pork Menudo will be simmering somewhere nearby!
Alongside other beloved dishes like chicken bistek, pata humba, Filipino guisantes, chicken asado, sweet and sour meatballs, and pork caldereta, Menudo is a staple at every gathering.
I practically grew up on this dish, its tangy aroma a comforting constant at every celebration. It’s like the official soundtrack of Filipino parties, and one that my taste buds always eagerly welcome. And guess what? Making it doesn’t have to be a daunting task! With my easy Pork Menudo recipe, you’ll be conjuring up this culinary magic in no time, even if you’re a kitchen newbie.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe?
- Comforting and Hearty: This dish is rich and flavorful, with tender pork chunks simmered in a savory tomato sauce.
- Versatile and Customizable: You can easily swap ingredients or add extras like eggs, vegetables, or even other meats.
- Perfect for Gatherings: Filipino Pork Menudo is a crowd-pleaser, making it ideal for family events or fiestas.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The flavors develop beautifully overnight, so it's perfect for prepping ahead of time.
- Budget-Friendly: Uses affordable ingredients like pork, potatoes, and carrots, making it an economical family meal.
Filipino Menudo vs Mexican Menudo
Filipino Menudo is a pork stew with potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers in a rich tomato sauce. Mexican Menudo is a soup made with tripe, hominy, and a spicy red chili broth.
The Filipino version is hearty and sweet-savory, while the Mexican version is spicy and served with lime. Filipino Menudo is perfect with rice, while Mexican Menudo pairs well with tortillas.
Both are comfort foods, but they’re worlds apart in flavor and style.
What is Menudo-Cut?
I remember my mom would always tell the butcher 'menudo-cut'! Menudo cut is like your personal pork stylist, ensuring perfectly sized cubes that cook evenly and melt-in-your-mouth in every bite. Here's why cubing is ideal for menudo:
- Smaller cubes have more surface area, meaning they soak up the glorious tomato-based sauce like sponges, resulting in a flavor explosion with every piece.
- Uniform cubes cook at the same rate, preventing undercooked centers or overly dry edges.
This cut ensures a stew-tacular success!
🥘What is Filipino Menudo Made of?
Here's what we'll need:
- Garlic: Adds a fragrant, savory base.
- Onion: Provides sweetness and depth.
- Pork shoulder, butt, or belly: Choose your preferred cut for tenderness.
- Calamansi or lemon juice: Adds a bright, citrusy flavor.
- Soy sauce: Enhances the umami profile of the dish.
- Tomato: Fresh tomatoes add natural sweetness and acidity.Tomato paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor.
- Laurel leaves (bay leaves): Adds an earthy aroma.
- Potatoes: Thickens the stew and adds heartiness.
- Red bell pepper/Green bell pepper: For color and sweetness.
- Carrots: Adds natural sweetness and texture.
- Oyster sauce: A savory umami boost.
- Sugar: Balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Raisins: A touch of sweetness to enhance the overall flavor.
Substitution and Addition
- Chicken: Swap pork for chicken for a lighter version.
- Sweet Potatoes: Use instead of regular potatoes for a unique twist.
- Chorizo: Add for a smoky, spicy kick.
- Green Peas: Toss in for extra color and texture.
- Pineapple: Add chunks for a tropical sweet and sour flavor.
🔪How to Make Pork Menudo?
- Marinate the Pork: Mix pork, calamansi juice, and soy sauce. Let it marinate for 30 minutes.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a pan, sauté garlic and onions until fragrant.
- Cook the Pork: Add marinated pork and cook until browned.
- Add Tomato Paste and Fresh Tomatoes: Stir well until combined.
- Simmer with Laurel Leaves: Pour in water, add bay leaves, and simmer until pork is tender.
- Add Vegetables: Toss in potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers. Cook until tender.
- Season: Add oyster sauce, sugar, and raisins. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve: Best enjoyed with steamed rice!
Variations
- Chicken Menudo: Swap pork with chicken for a lighter, leaner alternative while keeping the dish hearty and delicious.
- Beef Menudo: Replace pork with beef for a heartier, richer version that adds depth to the flavor.
- Vegetable Menudo: Go meatless by adding extra vegetables like green beans, bell peppers, and squash, making it a vegetarian-friendly dish.
- Pork Menudo with Egg: Add hard-boiled eggs into the stew for extra protein and texture, giving the dish a satisfying twist.
- Menudo with Chorizo: Mix in slices of Filipino-style chorizo for a slightly spicy and savory boost.
- Sweet Menudo: Add pineapple chunks for a hint of sweetness that balances the savory sauce perfectly.
- Spicy Menudo: Turn up the heat by adding chilies or chili flakes for a spicier version of this Filipino classic.
What to Serve with This?
- Steamed Rice: A classic pairing that soaks up the delicious tomato sauce, making every bite flavorful.
- Garlic Fried Rice: Add more savoriness to your meal with garlic-infused fried rice, a perfect match for the rich menudo.
- Classic Pandesal: Soft and fluffy Filipino bread rolls are ideal for dipping into the sauce or enjoying as a side.
- Atchara: The sweet and tangy pickled papaya side dish cuts through the richness of the menudo and offers a refreshing contrast.
- Sinigang Soup: A tangy, hearty soup that complements the sweetness of Menudo.
How to Store Leftovers
Keep leftover Pork Menudo in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, freeze it for up to 2 months, then reheat gently on the stovetop to preserve its rich flavors.
Expert Tip
Let your Pork Menudo sit overnight in the fridge—the flavors will deepen and meld together, making the dish even tastier the next day!
Recipe FAQs
Traditional Filipino menudo is made with pork, liver, potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and a rich tomato-based sauce. It's simmered until tender and flavored with garlic, onions, and bay leaves for a savory, comforting dish.
Menudo includes pork and diced vegetables, while afritada uses whole chicken pieces and focuses more on bell peppers, peas, and a tomato-based sauce. Both dishes are simmered in tomato sauce but have distinct flavor profiles.
Filipino menudo is savory, slightly sweet, and rich, with tender pork and liver cooked in a tomato-based sauce. The addition of vegetables like potatoes and carrots gives it a hearty and comforting flavor with a hint of sweetness.
Pair Filipino menudo with steamed white rice to soak up the flavorful sauce. You can also serve it with garlic fried rice, pandesal (Filipino bread rolls), or atchara (pickled papaya) for a refreshing, tangy contrast.
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More Pork Recipes
📋 Recipe
Easy Filipino Pork Menudo Recipe
Equipment
- 1 medium pot or sauce pan
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon garlic, crushed
- 1 medium onion, choped
- 1 ½ pound pork shoulder, butt or belly (with less fat) cubed, "menudo cut"
- 2 tablespoon calamansi/ lemon juice
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 medium tomato, diced
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 2 pieces laurel leaves
- 2 medium potato, cubed
- ½ cup red bell pepper cubed
- ½ cup green bell pepper cubed
- 1 cup carrots, cubed
- ¼ cup oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ cup raisins (optional)
Instructions
- Put pork, lemon juice and soy sauce on a bowl and marinade for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat some oil in your pot and toss in those chopped potatoes. Fry them until they're golden brown and crispy on the outside, then set them aside for later.
- Sauté garlic and onion them until they turn slightly golden and release their delicious aroma.
- Add your cubed pork and brown it all over on high heat. T
- Add fresh tomatoes, chopped or mashed, along with some tomato paste and oyster sauce for extra richness. Toss in bay leaves, salt, pepper, and a touch of sugar to balance the acidity. Now simmer, simmer, simmer, letting the sauce work its magic.
- Add the bell peppers, carrots, potatoes and raisins.
- Simmer for a few more minutes, until the veggies are tender but still have a satisfying crunch.
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Notes
- Marinating the pork enhances the flavor, so don’t skip this step.
- If while simmering, the sauce gets too thick, add some water.
- Simmering on low heat makes the pork tender and juicy.
- Add more or less sugar depending on your preference.
- Dice veggies uniformly to ensure even cooking.
Thank you for your feedback 😊