Down Home Cooking Chitterlings Recipe 

plate of chitterlingsChitterlings and Rice

I really do love to eat chitterlings (aka chitlins).  And this recipes is one that you have to try out for a true soul food eating experience.  Today we are going to teach you how to clean and cook chitlins in your kitchen without the nasty smell.

Chitterlings and hog waws have long been a southern favorite. Down south we also like to call them "chitlins". Most often you will find southerners cooking up chitlins and hog maws during large family gatherings or holidays. I like to cook up a pot of chitlins on Christmas and New Years day.

If you have ever had the experience of tasting some well cooked chitlins you'd agree that you just can't get enough of them. 

I like to eat my chitlins topped with hot sauce and served with rice, collard greens, and corn bread.  What about you? My father in-law loves to eat his chitlins with spaghetti.

Before we dig into the recipe, just in case you don't know chitterlings are pig intestines and hog maws are the pigs stomach.  Here is the recipe for your enjoyment.

chitterlings in a skillet

Chitterlings Recipe

Recipe Ingredients:

  • 5 pounds frozen chitterlings
  • 1 pound hog maws
  • 1 small Onion, roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Cookware and Utensils:

  • 1 6 quart boil pot
  • 1 cutting board
  • 1 sharp knife

Recipe Instructions:

As always the key to great cooking is preparation and quality ingredients.

Most people are too intimated to try to cook chitterling on their own. But with the instructions that follow on how to cook chitterlings you'll be okay.

Where to find Chitlins & Hog Maws
  1. You can find chitterlings and hog maws at your local grocery store. They are usually found with the frozen foods and come in 5 or 10 pound buckets or plastic. It will take several hours to thaw out your frozen chitlins. The hog maws come in packages and are also usually frozen. The hog maws are very tough, so it's a good idea to cook them while you're cleaning your chitlins.
  2. To prepare the hog maws for cooking rinse them in water and trim away excessive fat. Place your hog maws into a 6 quart cooking pot. Fill the pot with water to the half way point. Bring the water to boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 1 hour. Don't let the water cook out, add additionally water if necessary. When the meat is fully cooked, using a cutting board cut your hog maws into 2 inch thick pieces. The chitlins will be added to the hog maws later.
How to Clean and Cook Chitlins
  1. If you want your recipe to turn out right wash your chitlins thoroughly...let me reemphasize, this is very important. Once your chitlins have thawed it's time for a good cleaning. Using one side of your sink, soak your chitlins in cold water. Examine each chitlins thoroughly removing by hand all foreign matter. The best way to do this is under running water.
  2. Under running water you need to repeatedly pick clean each chitlin. While picking clean the chitlins you should remove extra fat and any specks that you see.
  3. A good technique is to work out of both sides of your sink. Soak your chitlins in one side and clean and rinse in the other side of your sink. Once you have cleaned a chitlin place it in the container that it came out of.
  4. After all chitlins are cleaned they must be run through several changes of cold water. Just fill your sink with enough water to cover the chitlins. The chitlins should be washed until the water is nearly clear when they are removed.
  5. Now that wasn't so hard was it? Okay now that the chitlins are cleaned and the hog maws have cooked a little. It's time to finish up this tasty recipe.
  6. Place your chitlins into the pot with the hog maws and fill with water. Bring to full boil, and then add chopped onion, salt, red pepper and vinegar. Reduce heat and simmer for 3-5 hours until meat is tender to your liking. Add more water if necessary.
  7. Once the chitlins and hog maws have tendered remove from heat. Using a cutting board and knife, cut the chitlins and hog maws into 1 inch thick pieces. Serve on a bed of rice or with spaghetti.

This recipe provided courtesy of https://www.soulfoodandsoutherncooking.com/

Enjoy your Chitlins and Hog Maws.

Chitterlings have been a beloved dish in the African-American community for generations and is still a favorite among many today. Whether you’re enjoying chitlins on their own, served as part of a larger meal, or taking part in one of the popular Chitterling Eating Contests, this delicious and flavorful dish is sure to bring a smile to your face.

Chitterlings represent more than just great food - they symbolize history, culture, tradition and heritage that all African-Americans can be proud of. So why wait? Try some delicious chitterlings today and experience a delight like no other.

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