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Ulam · Everyday & Party Table

Pork Menudo

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.

1 hr 15Total time
6Servings
EasyDifficulty
Gluten-freeDietary note

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

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

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.

Pairs well with

Iconic Filipino combo

Puto

Soft, fluffy steamed rice cakes, the classic side to pancit.
Party-table pairing

Pancit Canton

Thick wheat noodles in a glossy soy-oyster sauce, built to feed a crowd.
Fiesta-table dessert

Leche Flan

Silky steamed egg custard set in liquid caramel.