Hello, dear food lovers! Today’s recipe is slightly unconventional, but it is honestly a delicious culinary experience: Mexican Tripe Soup, also known as “Menudo”. This Mexican dish combines tender tripe with flavorful, aromatic spices. If you don’t have any experience with this recipe, don’t worry; RecipeArt is here to help you. With these easy-to-follow steps, you can easily prepare this Mexican Tripe Soup for your friends and family.
Jump to:
Preparation Time:
The preparation time for Mexican Tripe Soup is approximately 20 minutes
Cooking Time:
The cooking time for Mexican Tripe Soup is approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours
Recipe Yield:
The recipe yields approximately 6 servings of delicious Mexican Tripe Soup.
Nutritional Information:
Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
Calories | 190 |
Total Fat | 6g |
– Saturated Fat | 2g |
Cholesterol | 60mg |
Sodium | 850mg |
Total Carbohydrates | 11g |
– Dietary Fiber | 2g |
– Sugars | 1g |
Protein | 23g |
**These values may vary depending on the ingredients you use. You can visit the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the actual nutritional value of your ingredients.
Ingredients to create a delicious pot of Mexican Tripe Soup:
Ingredients | Quantity |
Beef tripe, cleaned and cut into small pieces | 1 pound |
Beef honeycomb tripe(optional) | 1 pound |
Chopped onion | 1 |
Minced garlic | 4 cloves |
Dried oregano | 2 teaspoons |
Ground cumin | 1 teaspoon |
Paprika | 1 teaspoon |
Chili powder | 1 teaspoon |
Bay leaves | 2 |
Beef broth | 6 cups |
Hominy, drained and rinsed | 1 can (15 ounces) |
Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish | As needed |
Lime wedges, for serving | As needed |
Optional toppings: diced onion, sliced radishes, dried oregano | As needed |
Salt and pepper | As per taste |
Cooking Instructions:
- Start by preparing the tripe. Thoroughly clean and rinse the beef tripe under cold water. Trim any excess fat or tough membranes. Cut the tripe into small, bite-sized pieces.

- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they become fragrant and slightly softened.

- Add the beef tripe to the pot, along with the honeycomb tripe if using. Sauté for a few minutes until the tripe is slightly browned, stirring occasionally.

- Add the dried oregano, ground cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir well to coat the tripe and allow the spices to bloom.
- Add the bay leaves to the pot, followed by the beef broth. Stir everything together, ensuring the tripe is fully submerged in the liquid. Bring the soup to a boil.

- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for about 2 to 3 hours, or until the tripe becomes tender and flavorful. Stir occasionally and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Once the tripe is tender, add the drained and rinsed hominy to the pot. Continue simmering the soup for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Remove the bay leaves from the soup and discard them. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Serving Suggestion:
Mexican Tripe Soup is traditionally served in bowls, with a variety of toppings and garnishes to add texture and freshness. Ladle the soup into bowls, making sure to include generous portions of tripe and hominy.
Garnish the soup with fresh cilantro leaves, and serve it alongside lime wedges for a tangy touch. Additionally, you can offer diced onion, sliced radishes, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes as optional toppings, allowing each person to customize their bowl to their liking.
Pair this hearty soup with warm corn tortillas or crusty bread to complete the meal. Enjoy it while it’s hot, savoring the rich flavors and comforting warmth.
Pro Tips:
- Start with properly cleaned tripe: Thoroughly clean and rinse the tripe to remove any impurities. Soaking it in cold water with vinegar or lemon juice can help to tenderize and remove any lingering odor.
- Cook the tripe low and slow: Simmering the tripe over low heat for an extended period allows it to become tender and flavorful. Be patient and give it enough time to reach the desired texture.
- Customize the spice level: Adjust the amount of chili powder or other spices to suit your taste preferences. If you prefer a spicier soup, increase the amount of chili powder or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Conclusion:
You’ve successfully learned how to prepare a soul-warming bowl of Mexican Tripe Soup. This beloved dish showcases the beauty of Mexican cuisine, with its rich flavors and comforting qualities. The tender tripe, aromatic spices, and satisfying hominy create a unique combination that will transport you to the vibrant streets of Mexico.
Printable Recipe:

Mexican Tripe Soup
Ingredients
- Beef tripe cleaned and cut into small pieces 1 pound
- Beef honeycomb tripe optional 1 pound
- Chopped onion 1
- Minced garlic 4 cloves
- Dried oregano 2 teaspoons
- Ground cumin 1 teaspoon
- Paprika 1 teaspoon
- Chili powder 1 teaspoon
- Bay leaves 2
- Beef broth 6 cups
- Hominy drained and rinsed 1 can (15 ounces)
- Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish As needed
- Lime wedges for serving As needed
- Optional toppings: diced onion sliced radishes, dried oregano As needed
- Salt and pepper As per taste
Instructions
- Start by preparing the tripe. Thoroughly clean and rinse the beef tripe under cold water. Trim any excess fat or tough membranes. Cut the tripe into small, bite-sized pieces.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they become fragrant and slightly softened.
- Add the beef tripe to the pot, along with the honeycomb tripe if using. Sauté for a few minutes until the tripe is slightly browned, stirring occasionally.
- Add the dried oregano, ground cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir well to coat the tripe and allow the spices to bloom.
- Add the bay leaves to the pot, followed by the beef broth. Stir everything together, ensuring the tripe is fully submerged in the liquid. Bring the soup to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for about 2 to 3 hours, or until the tripe becomes tender and flavorful. Stir occasionally and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Once the tripe is tender, add the drained and rinsed hominy to the pot. Continue simmering the soup for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Remove the bay leaves from the soup and discard them. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Notes
2. Cook the tripe low and slow: Simmering the tripe over low heat for an extended period allows it to become tender and flavorful. Be patient and give it enough time to reach the desired texture.
3. Customize the spice level: Adjust the amount of chili powder or other spices to suit your taste preferences. If you prefer a spicier soup, increase the amount of chili powder or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
You Might Also Like:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is tripe, and where can I buy it?
Tripe is the edible lining of the stomach of various animals, usually cattle. You can find it in the meat section of some grocery stores, butcher shops, or specialty markets that offer a variety of cuts of meat.
How do I clean tripe before cooking?
Cleaning tripe involves removing any excess fat, membranes, and impurities. Start by rinsing it thoroughly under cold water. Use a knife to trim away any tough parts or excess fat. Soaking the tripe in cold water with vinegar or lemon juice for a few hours can help remove any lingering odor.
Can I use pre-cooked or pre-cleaned tripe for the soup?
It’s best to use raw tripe for this soup to ensure it becomes tender and flavorful during the cooking process. Pre-cooked or pre-cleaned tripe may not have the same texture or absorb the flavors as well.
Can I make the soup without the honeycomb tripe?
The honeycomb tripe adds depth of flavor and texture, but it is optional. You can still make a delicious tripe soup using just regular beef tripe.