Instant Pot Menudo is a popular Mexican dish that uses beef tripe as the main ingredient. It's simple to make, and literally takes just 15 minutes of time!
The flavors are rich and strong and are the ultimate comfort food in a bowl. The soup texture is quite hearty due to the larger pieces of meat that are found within.
If you're wanting to introduce a new taste and flavor to the family, this is the best recipe to accomplish just that! It's one of those dishes that everyone is going to want more of!
The other really fun part of making this Menudo recipe is that it's up to everyone how to enjoy it. Some like to add crackers or tortilla chips while others may add a bit of sour cream and shredded cheese. The options are endless!
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
Typically, cooking Menudo would take quite a bit of time because the cooking process for the tripe (or belly) takes time. But this is where the Instant Pot comes into play.
This stew recipe is cooked in no time at all - making it the perfect dish for a quick weeknight dinner or meal. It's a flavor that everyone is going to love!
- It's full of authentic Mexican flavor!
- This recipe has the perfect texture of soup and stew.
- Making one batch of this simple Menudo recipe will leave plenty for leftovers.
Recipe Video
Recipe Ingredients
Beef belly - This is the star of the show. Using beef belly or beef tripe is a rich addition with a tougher texture. It's supposed to have some chew to it.
Ancho dried chili- Adding this gives a mild spiciness to the menudo and enhances the overall flavor of the dish. It is the most common type of chili used in Mexican dishes.
Guajillo dried chili- This is another very famous kind of chili in Mexican cuisine and is widely used in salads, salsas, tacos, and various meat dishes. Guajillo chili is considered to have a moderate level of spice.
Garlic cloves - Fresh garlic cloves work best but garlic powder could be used as an option, too.
Onion- Sweet onions would add a delicious texture and taste and pair well with the strong seasonings.
Avocado oil - You can also use coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil as well.
Water - Added to help thin out the consistency.
Chicken seasonings - This would be similar to a bouillon seasoning.
Bay leaves - Added for flavoring - do not eat.
Corn - Adding the corn gives texture and sweetness naturally to the dish.
How to make Instant Pot Menudo
Gather all the ingredients required for the recipe - don't leave out any of the spices as they're important for creating the flavor to pair with the texture.
Step One: Add avocado oil and ½ of the onion to the instant pot and saute at high for 5 minutes.
Step Two: Put the garlic cloves into the instant pot.
Step Three: Add the dried ancho chilies.
Step Four: Add dried guajillo chilies and add the water into the Instant Pot.
Step Five: Add chicken seasoning and cook.
Step Six: Take out the cooked chilies and blend them in a blender. Add onion, garlic and some sauce.
Step Seven: Pour the blended paste back into the instant pot and add the bay leaves.
Step Eight: Put beef belly \ tripe into the Instant Pot.
Step Nine: Add corn into the mixture.
Step Ten: Add some salt, put on the Instant Pot lid, and cook at high pressure for 25 minutes.
Wait for a natural pressure release (or for at least 20 minutes).
Dish out and enjoy!
Variations
Add more heat - If you want to make this Mexican stew really hot, go for it. You can add in chili powder, chili flakes, or even add some fresh jalapeno peppers to the blender and add.
Change up the meat - While tripe is how you would make this dish authentic, you can easily add other meats and get some of that same flavor and taste. My Instant Pot Ground Turkey would be delicious as well.
Helpful Tips
- Canned corn or fresh corn will work for this recipe.
- The tripe is supposed to be tough - so don't try to add any cooking time to this recipe as it won't tenderize the meat.
- If you want to serve over Instant Pot Coconut Rice, it's a great way to add even more texture and taste.
How to Serve
Once it's done cooking in the Instant Pot, you just dish it into a bowl and enjoy. It's just that simple to do!
Menudo can also be served with some toasted and crispy tortillas or bread. You can have it for lunch or dinner or heat it up for a midnight snack.
Recipe FAQs
Since this is a good source of Vitamin B, it can be helpful to eat after a long night out. It's a great way to fuel your body and add nutrients and benefits, too.
Yes, it's a healthier alternative to eat than many other options. It's a great way to add vitamins to your daily diet.
If you notice a scent in the tripe, there are options that can help.
Soak the beef tripe overnight, and then wash it with vinegar. This trick really helps to get the smell out.
Moreover, if you'll follow this recipe and cook it properly the smell will be masked by the aroma and flavors of other ingredients.
The main difference between the two is that Menudo is made with beef, and Pozole is made using pork. I have an amazing Instant Pot Pozole recipe, too!
More Instant Pot Beef Recipes
If you're like me, you love cooking beef in the Instant Pot. I've gathered up some of my other favorite beef recipes that I think you'll love as well.
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment below. Thanks!
Instant Pot Menudo
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon avocado oil
- ½ onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 4 dried ancho chilies
- 5 dried guajillo chilies
- 10 cups water
- 4 tablespoon chicken seasonings
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 lb beef belly or beef tripe
- 1 cup corn
- 1 tablespoon salt
Instructions
- Saute the onion in avocado oil for 5 minutes in the instant pot.
- Add the garlic cloves, ancho chile guajillo chilies, water and chicken seasonings and cook.
- Take out the cooked ingredients including ancho and guajillo chilies and blend them in a blender. Don't forget to add some sauce.
- Pour the blended paste into the Instant Pot. Add the bay leaves in it, and put in the beef belly.
- Add 1 cup of corn and salt to it. Put on the lid and cook for 25 minutes at high pressure.
- When cooking time is complete, wait for a natural pressure release.
- Serve and enjoy 🙂
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Make sure to follow the cooking time as mentioned in the recipe so that the beef is neither undercooked nor over tender.
- You can also use the honeycomb tripe for the recipe if you like it more.
- Canned corn or fresh corn will work for this recipe.
- The tripe is supposed to be tough - so don't try to add any cooking time to this recipe as it won't tenderize the meat.
- If you want to serve over Instant Pot Coconut Rice, it's a great way to add even more texture and taste.
I used hominy instead of corn. Great recipe!
I going to try it looks good.
You definitely should, I love this recipe ◡̈ hope you like it too!