Learn How to Clean and Cook Beef Tripe (2024)

There are three kinds of beef tripe (blanket, honeycomb, and book tripe) and each comes from a different chamber of the cow's stomach. If you've seen tripe in the market, you might have wondered why some are paler than others. It has nothing to do with the age or health of the animal from which it came. It has everything to do with bleaching.

The tripe from a newly-slaughtered cow is yellowish (almost brownish and, in some cases, greenish) and bits of undigested food may still be attached to it. A "dressed" tripe is pale, almost white, and it has been soaked in a chlorine solution to remove impurities. The process is called bleaching. Most tripe sold in groceries has undergone bleaching. Whether you have bleached or unbleached tripe, either way, tripe has to be rinsed and properly cleaned prior to cooking.

Also, you can use this cleaning method for the tripe that comes from other ruminants like sheep, lamb, goat, pigs, or deer.

Learn How to Clean and Cook Beef Tripe (1)

Cleaning Unbleached Beef Tripe

You will want to clean unbleached tripe in pretty much the same way that you clean ox (beef) tongue that had not been trimmed. Start by cutting off and discarding all unwanted fat and anything that doesn't look like tripe. Next, rub the tripe all over with rock salt then rinse it with vinegar. Repeat this process until there are no visible impurities. Then, scrape the entire surface of the tripe with a long sharp knife. Finally, rinse the tripe several times with water.

In the case of honeycomb tripe, a soft clean toothbrush is useful to pry any dirt out of the crevices.

Cleaning Bleached Beef Tripe

The paler, bleached beef tripe is mostly free from grit and impurities. However, you still need to rinse it in water several times to remove as much of the chlorine that it was bleached with. Otherwise, chlorine that has been left behind can leave a nasty odor and that taste will permeate your cooked dish.

Par-Boiling

When the tripe looks clean, place it in a pot and cover with water. Add plenty of salt. Bring to a boil and allow to boil hard for 10 minutes. Throw out the water, then rinse the tripe in cold water several times.

Cutting

After par-boiling, the tripe is now ready to be cut. The shape or size depends on the dish you intend to cook. While there is no harm in cooking the tripe uncut, cutting it after par-boiling shortens the cooking time considerably. It is also much more difficult to cut the tripe when it is already very tender as the delicate meat may not be able to withstand too much handling.

Cooking

Once properly cleaned, you can cook a myriad of delicious tripe dishes. Tripe is eaten in many parts of the world.Tripe is great for grilling, stewing, and deep-frying. You can also make tripe soup, which is popular in Eastern European and Latin American cuisine and make Madrid-style tripe.

Learn How to Clean and Cook Beef Tripe (2024)

FAQs

Learn How to Clean and Cook Beef Tripe? ›

Start by cutting off and discarding all unwanted fat and anything that doesn't look like tripe. Next, rub the tripe all over with rock salt then rinse it with vinegar. Repeat this process until there are no visible impurities. Then, scrape the entire surface of the tripe with a long sharp knife.

How do you clean and cook beef tripe? ›

This can be done by dipping pieces of tripe into a pot of boiling water and using a sharp knife to scrape the lining once it has loosened. The tripe can also be simmered for about 10 minutes and then rubbed with a mixture of salt and vinegar to remove any excess residue.

How do you clean and remove smell from tripe? ›

Create a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar in a large bowl. Submerge the honeycomb tripe in the solution and let it soak for at least 30 minutes. Vinegar's acidity helps neutralise and eliminate odours effectively. After soaking, rinse the tripe thoroughly under cold running water to remove any vinegar residue.

What bleach is used to clean tripe? ›

BLEACH BRIGHT IS TO BE USED AS A BEEF, LAMB AND PORK TRIPE BLEACH. USE DILUTIONS ARE 1 PART BLEACH BRIGHT TO 10 PARTS WATER (THIS WILL YIELD A 3% CONCENTRATION).

What does vinegar do to tripe? ›

Rub the tripe with rock salt and rinse it with vinegar.

Vinegar is acidic and is therefore useful at getting deep into the layers of the tripe and effectively cleaning it. Next, use the rock salt again and rub it across the tripe the same way you just did.

Does tripe get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

With just 1 or 2 hours of cooking, tripe will be tender and chewy and will take on the taste of the vegetables and herbs it has been cooked with. Longer cooking will make it even more tender and flavorful.

How many hours does it take to cook tripe? ›

Boil the tripe by itself for 15-30 minutes to soften it, and then prepare a broth with vegetables, seasoning, salt, and water. Simmer the tripe in the broth for 1-3 hours until the tripe is tender, and save the stock for cooking later. Add your tripe to various dishes, such as pho, menudo, or pasta, and enjoy!

How long do you soak tripe in vinegar? ›

Use a small handful of kosher salt to scrub the tripe thoroughly, being sure to include honeycomb pockets. Soak the scrubbed tripe in a mixture of one cup distilled vinegar and three cups cold water for five minutes. Rinse well under cold running water, removing all the salt. Repeat this process one more time.

How to tell if tripe is bad? ›

Firstly, if you notice a strong, unpleasant, sour smell coming from the tripe, this is a clear sign that it has spoiled. The smell may be similar to that of ammonia. Secondly, if the tripe has changed color and appears grayish or brown, this is another sign that it is no longer fresh.

Can you overcook tripe? ›

Cooking tripe

It's important to check your recipe half way through cooking and occasionally in the latter half of cooking to determine when it's tender and finished. As Fergus Henderson notes, '[check] the tripe's giving qualities with a sharp knife. Be careful, as if cooked too long tripe will just melt away.”

How do you know if tripe is bleached? ›

A "dressed" tripe is pale, almost white, and it has been soaked in a chlorine solution to remove impurities. The process is called bleaching. Most tripe sold in groceries has undergone bleaching. 1 Whether you have bleached or unbleached tripe, either way, tripe has to be rinsed and properly cleaned prior to cooking.

Is it healthy to eat tripe? ›

Tripe is a good source of several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, zinc, selenium, and iron. Vitamin B12 is important for nerve function and red blood cell formation, while zinc and selenium contribute to immune system support and antioxidant defense. Iron is vital for oxygen transport in the body.

Can I soak tripe in water overnight? ›

For most preparations, Cosentino soaks the tripe overnight in water, then boils it in fresh water with white wine, wine vinegar and a vanilla pod. "It takes out the funk," he says, referring to the barnyard aroma tripe exudes while it's simmering. Admittedly, the smell of plain boiled tripe won't make anyone hungry.

How to prep tripe? ›

Scrub tripe with rock salt and vinegar to remove impurities. Soak tripe in cold water for five to 10 minutes, then rinse it and cut it into pieces. Add the tripe to a large pot of water and poach until tender, about one to two hours.

What are the disadvantages of tripe? ›

Potential Risks of Tripe

Tripe is high in dietary cholesterol compared to other cuts of meat. A single three-ounce serving can contain up to 108 milligrams of cholesterol. That's about a third of the recommended overall cholesterol requirement per day.

How do you get rid of flies in cooking tripe? ›

You can cook tripe in a pressure cooker, it will cook faster and make less smells (which in turn attract flies) but I prefer the old school way of slow cooking it in a normal pot over low heat.

Do you cut tripe before cooking? ›

Cut your tripe into bite-size strips or squares with a sharp knife or kitchen scissors for easier eating. You can use your pieces of tripe in various Hispanic recipes, such as tripe stew, Menudo, and Mondongo. Some recipes, such as recipes for fried tripe, require slow cooking of the meat before cutting it into strips.

Can dogs eat cleaned tripe? ›

Beef tripe is more than just a tasty treat for dogs; it's a nutritional powerhouse that can play a significant role in their diet. Its unique combination of enzymes, good bacteria, and essential nutrients makes it a beneficial addition to any dog's meal plan.

Is beef tripe healthy? ›

Tripe, like other organ meats, is packed with nutrients, including vitamin B12, selenium, and zinc. Adding this high quality protein to savory dishes or snacks may cut down on food waste and costs. Still, tripe is high in cholesterol, and its unique texture and taste may not appeal to everyone.

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