Ulam · Everyday & Party Table

Pork Menudo

Name: Pork Menudo
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Filipino
Ingredients: 2 lbs pork shoulder, diced; 1/4 lb pork liver, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 onion, chopped; 2 cups tomato sauce; 1 cup pork or chicken broth; 2 potatoes, diced; 2 carrots, diced; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 1/4 cup raisins; 2 bay leaves; 3 tbsp cooking oil; Salt and pepper, to taste

Diced pork and liver simmered in a bright tomato sauce with potatoes, carrots, and a scattering of raisins for sweetness. A staple at both weeknight dinners and party buffets.

By: Andrew Arcangel | Last Updated: September 27, 2026

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Total time1 hr 15 min

Servings6

DifficultyEasy

Dietary noteGluten-free

Menudo is one of the most common dishes at Filipino potlucks and celebrations, prized for how easily it scales up to feed a crowd. Unlike caldereta, it skips the liver spread and cheese, relying instead on a lighter tomato sauce and diced pork liver stirred in near the end for richness. The raisins are a small but essential detail — a pop of sweetness against the savory sauce.

Menudo vs. afritada vs. caldereta

These three tomato-based stews often get confused. Menudo uses diced pork (plus liver), afritada typically uses chicken or pork in larger pieces without liver, and caldereta is built around beef or goat with liver spread and cheese for a thicker, richer sauce. Menudo is the lightest and quickest of the three.

Ingredients

Serves 6

2 lbs pork shoulder, diced
1/4 lb pork liver, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
2 cups tomato sauce
1 cup pork or chicken broth
2 potatoes, diced
2 carrots, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup raisins
2 bay leaves
3 tbsp cooking oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

No pork liver on hand? Chicken liver works as a substitute, or you can leave it out entirely for a lighter version.

Instructions

Sauté aromatics. Heat oil in a pot and sauté garlic and onion until fragrant. You'll need 4 cloves garlic1 onion
Brown the pork. Add diced pork shoulder and cook until lightly browned on the edges. You'll need 2 lbs pork shoulder
Simmer the base. Pour in tomato sauce and broth, add bay leaves, cover, and simmer until pork is tender, about 35-40 minutes. You'll need 2 cups tomato sauce1 cup pork broth2 bay leaves
Add the vegetables. Add potatoes and carrots, simmering until just about tender, 10-15 minutes. You'll need 2 potatoes2 carrots
Add the liver. Stir in diced liver and cook just 3-4 minutes — overcooking makes it grainy. You'll need 1/4 lb pork liver
Finish. Add bell pepper and raisins, simmering a final 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot with rice. You'll need 1/4 cup raisinssalt and pepper

Kitchen tip: Add the liver last and keep the heat gentle — pork liver turns tough and chalky fast if it simmers too long.

Tips & variations

Hotdog menudo: some home versions toss in sliced hotdogs or Vienna sausage along with the pork for extra bulk and a kid-friendly touch.
No liver version: simply omit the liver for a milder stew that's easier to make ahead.
Extra vegetables: garbanzo beans or green peas are common additions stirred in at the end.

Nutrition estimated per serving

380Calories
24gProtein
22gFat
18gCarbs
8gSugar

Estimated automatically from this recipe's ingredients; actual values will vary based on brands and exact quantities used.

Frequently asked questions

Why are there raisins in a savory pork stew?

The raisins add small bursts of sweetness that balance the tanginess of the tomato sauce — a classic touch inherited from Filipino-Spanish cooking traditions.

Can I make menudo ahead of time?

Yes, though it's best to add the liver fresh when reheating, since it can turn rubbery if cooked twice.

What cut of pork works best?

Pork shoulder (kasim) is ideal since it stays moist through the simmer — leaner cuts like loin can dry out.