Go Back
Liver: Add pork liver only during the last 5 minutes of cooking so it doesn't become tough and chewy. Kid-friendly version: Replace the pork liver with about ½ small can of liver spread or liverwurst. This is the version my son loves. Lemon or calamansi: Start with the juice of ½ lemon or calamansi and add more to taste. Peas and raisins: Both are optional. Leave them out if your family prefers menudo without them. Sauce consistency: Add a little water for a saucier menudo. For a thicker sauce, simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes. Seasoning: Taste before adding salt because the soy sauce, hot dogs, and liver spread or liverwurst already contribute saltiness. Serving: Best served hot with freshly cooked white rice.
The Filipina Cy

Pork Menudo Recipe

This easy Filipino Pork Menudo is made with tender pork, potatoes, carrots, hot dogs, and liver simmered in a savory tomato-based sauce. For a kid-friendly version, use liver spread or liverwurst instead of pork liver. Serve with warm rice for a comforting Filipino family meal.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Marinating time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: filipino
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pork and Marinade
  • 2 pounds pork cut into serving-size pieces
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • Juice of ½ lemon or calamansi plus more to taste
Menudo Sauce
  • 2 tabsp cooking oil
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • ¾ cup tomato sauce
  • 1 cup water plus more as needed
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 2 –3 dried bay leaves
  • 1 cup potatoes cubed
  • 1 carrot cubed
  • 4 hot dogs sliced diagonally
  • ¼ pound pork liver sliced, or about ½ small can liver spread or liverwurst
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Green peas optional
  • Raisins optional

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Cutting board
  • Chef’s knife
  • Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Marinate the Pork. Combine the pork, soy sauce, and lemon or calamansi juice in a bowl. Mix well, cover, and marinate for 1 hour. Reserve the marinade for the sauce.

  2. Sauté the Aromatics. Heat the cooking oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion softens and the garlic becomes fragrant.

  3. Brown the Pork. Add the marinated pork, with the marinade. Cook until the pork begins to brown.

  4. Make the Menudo Sauce. Add the tomato sauce, water, sugar, and bay leaves. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook until the pork begins to become tender.

  5. Add the Potatoes and Carrots. Add the potatoes and carrots. Continue simmering until the pork is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.

  6. Add the Hot Dogs and Liver. Add the sliced hot dogs and pork liver during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Cook just until the liver is cooked through. Avoid overcooking the liver because it can become tough and chewy.
    For the kid-friendly version: Skip the pork liver and stir in about ½ small can of liver spread or liverwurst instead. Stir until completely incorporated into the sauce, then taste before adding more.

  7. Finish and Season. If using green peas or raisins, stir them in toward the end of cooking.
    Taste before adding salt since the soy sauce, hot dogs, and liver spread or liverwurst can already add plenty of saltiness. Season with salt and black pepper as needed.
    Add a little more water if you prefer more sauce, or simmer uncovered for a few minutes if you want a thicker consistency.

  8. Serve. Remove the bay leaves and serve the Pork Menudo hot with freshly cooked rice.

Notes

Liver: Add pork liver only during the last 5 minutes of cooking so it doesn't become tough and chewy.
Kid-friendly version: Replace the pork liver with about ½ small can of liver spread or liverwurst. This is the version my son loves.
Lemon or calamansi: Start with the juice of ½ lemon or calamansi and add more to taste.
Peas and raisins: Both are optional. Leave them out if your family prefers menudo without them.
Sauce consistency: Add a little water for a saucier menudo. For a thicker sauce, simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes.
Seasoning: Taste before adding salt because the soy sauce, hot dogs, and liver spread or liverwurst already contribute saltiness.
Serving: Best served hot with freshly cooked white rice.