Quick and Easy Menudo (Instant Pot Version)

Featuring:
Rumba Meats® Beef Honeycomb Tripe

25 MIN Prep Time
1.5 HRS Cook Time
8 Servings

Ingredients

Rumba Meats® Beef Honeycomb Tripe (1 package)
¼ cup kosher salt
Water to cover
2 quarts of water (for richer, meatier flavor, use bone broth in place of water)
1 medium white onion, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons chopped garlic in water
½ cup Guajillo chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon Mexican oregano
2 tablespoons black pepper
2 15½-ounce cans hominy, drained and rinsed
Garnishes for finished Menudo: diced onion, diced radish, lime wedges, chopped cilantro

Instructions

Place beef honeycomb tripe in a large pot; add ¼ cup salt and water to fully immerse tripe.
Bring to a boil and boil for 15 minutes.
Remove pot from stove and drain water. Remove any non-white bits. Rinse tripe with cold water and drain.
Add cleaned tripe pieces to an instant pot. Stir in water, onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, 2 tablespoons salt, oregano, black pepper and hominy.
Cover and cook on soup/stew Normal setting for 1 hour, or until internal temperature reaches 160ºF and tripe is tender.
Serve immediately topped with fresh garnishes.

FAQs

What is honeycomb tripe?

Beef honeycomb tripe is a traditional Hispanic meat cut that comes from the stomach of a cow. The tripe gets its name from the honeycomb pattern on its surface.

Compared with other types of beef tripe, honeycomb tripe is the most sought after for flavor and texture. When it’s cooked correctly, the meat is tender, but chewy. Menudo is by far the most popular recipe featuring honeycomb tripe. After the tripe is fully cooked by simmering in stock or water, it can also be lightly breaded and fried or grilled.

Honeycomb tripe is a good source of protein. Our quick and easy menudo recipe, made with honeycomb tripe, is a great dinner choice the whole family will enjoy.

How long does it take to cook menudo in an instant pot?

Menudo is a Mexican dish made with honeycomb tripe that can be a quick and easy meal by preparing it in an Instant Pot. The meat takes about an hour to cook in an Instant Pot if you use the normal stew or soup setting. Note that before you put your tripe in an Instant Pot, you’ll need to boil it for 15 minutes. Instant Pot menudo is ready to eat when the meat is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Serve it in your family’s favorite bowls and celebrate a delicious meal together.

Is it possible to overcook tripe?

Typically, it’s difficult to overcook tripe (especially when you’re following recipe instructions). Well-cooked tripe has a tender and enjoyably chewy texture. If you overcook the meat, it can become stringy and less appealing.

Avoid overcooking your tripe by placing your Instant Pot on a normal stew setting or low heat. If you do not have an Instant Pot, you can cook your tripe in a regular pot on a stovetop, like we recommend in our Spicy Honeycomb Tripe recipe. However, this method will take longer than cooking with an Instant Pot.