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How to clean tripas – The method that works

Cleaning tripas can sound like a daunting task, but it’s really not that difficult. It works best in soups, stews, and sauces where the intestine lining has already been removed completely. How to clean tripas is one question on most people’s lips, and here are the answers.

To clean tripas for cooking, brush the surface of the tripas with a toothbrush, and then let it air dry in sunlight for at least 2 days before cooking. For best results, soak it in lukewarm water for at least 20 minutes. You can also make use of warm water and dish soap; just make sure not to submerge it completely under the water. 

After cleaning:

  • Rinse thoroughly with cold water.
  • Pat dry with kitchen towels.
  • Let it air dry in bright sunlight for hours.

Cleaning tripas is a hard and tedious job as they are full of all kinds of fat tissue, and the procedure must be done well because if you don’t, you can cause damage to yourself or others.

What is tripas

how to clean tripas

Tripas is a fresh meat alternative that has a consistency of meat and is naturally low in calories. The beef is about injecting fresh, raw minced meat with a solution of salt, water, and an anti-coagulant to make it more shelf-stable. It is fully cooked and ready to eat in less than 5 minutes; you can serve it hot or cold. The meat is also known as ‘Tri Pep’ in Turkey.’ 

It is a new food product on the Turkish market and gotten out of fresh minced beef and injected with cooked additives to keep it on the shelf. It is also a culinary term used to describe any organ meat butchered as part of the lungs, liver, kidneys, and tongue. It’s not just chicken and pork; you can transform tripas into various dishes that use heart, tongue, or lung meat along with organs such as tripa. 

The organs usually are sold together as tripas, but they may be sold separately in some cases. There are also many dishes where the animal’s intestines wrap ingredients or form networks within the dish (e.g., tortillas or pad Thai)

How to clean tripas – The easiest way

tripas

Step 1

Rub the tripe with rock salt (both front and back) for 2-3 minutes. Do not use steel wool or paste because it will remove the meat’s natural color.

Rock salt is a dried form of sodium carbonate. It has been in use in Europe, where it was discovered that it helps draw toxins from the body by rubbing it on the skin. 

The exact process also makes it easier to remove blood stains from clothing and fabrics. When you clean your tripas, rub them with rock salt on both front and back.

Step 2

Use a sharp knife to scrape the tripa all over, then cut into it with your knife in one motion. You can also use the tip of a spoon to pry out any curds that have hardened gently.

A sharp knife will slice the tough connective tissue and muscle away from the fibrous outer skin. Use your hands to peel off any skin stuck to the meat. Scrape the tripas with a sharp knife all over (front and back), and being careful not to cut into the meat itself.

Step 3

Use white vinegar to remove the salt deposits from the tripas. Fill a large bowl with warm water and add a couple of teaspoons of white vinegar. Soak the tripas for about an hour, then rinse in cold water and pat dry. 

Continue this process several times until all the salt is gone. White vinegar is an effective way of cleaning your tripas and making them look cleaner.

Step 4

Boil water in a pot before adding a little salt then put the tripas and boil it for 15 minutes. Using tongs, remove the tripe from the water and place it on a kitchen towel (do not rinse). When cooled, the cooked tripas will harden into a leather-like texture, cut into smaller bite-sized strips using kitchen scissors or a paring knife, and mix in with other ingredients. 

The salt used will draw out some of the moisture in the tripas, making it easier to slice. When it’s ready, drain off any extra liquid and then allow the tripas to cool enough to handle comfortably.

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Cook time for tripas

Cook time for tripasIt is very important to cook tripa in order to maintain its healthy qualities. We recommend cooking tripas for 6 minutes at the most. After this, it will start to smell and become tough. At this point, it does not have to be discarded since you can also cook it further until it becomes soft.

There are actually two ways to cook tripas:

1. Boil it like a potato for 30-40 minutes 

2. Cook it in oil just like how you would fry a potato cut into cubes. 

Frequently asked Questions

Do you have to clean tripas?

They are linked to your health. You should clean tripas every day because pathogenic microorganisms can grow on them if you don’t. It’s normal to feel squeamish about cleaning them, but stick with it, and soon enough, you’ll be brushing away impurities. By ensuring a cleaner microbiome, you’re doing your body a lot of good.

Are tripas healthy?

You might be surprised to learn that tripas are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients that are vital for your health. In fact, the three major organs in a person’s body—the heart, liver, and kidneys—all derive nutrients from tripas. The heart benefits from the high levels of vitamin B1 and B2 that can be found in tripa.

What animal is tripas from?

A trip is a ruminant, usually from a cow, sheep, or goat, that has been specially selected for its large digestive tract. 

Are intestines safe to eat?

Intestines are generally safe to eat, but it is important to keep in mind that bacteria can make you sick if they are contaminated. Make sure you give it a proper wash before preparing.

What are the healthiest organ meats?

The healthiest organ meats include the liver, kidneys, heart, and pancreas. Beef tongue is also considered organ meat since it comes from the tongue of cattle. Meat from all of these selections should be eaten quite occasionally. Each of these selections is very rich in iron, which energizes your cells and enhances your metabolism.

Conclusions

It is very important to give your tripas proper washing before preparing, this will prevent any form of sickness. It is not so easy if you don’t know how to clean tripas. We have given you the best and simplest methods to use without putting you through stress. Try them, and you will always fall in love with eating tripas.

tripas

Tripas Recipe

Tripas is a common component in many traditional Mexican meals.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Tripas Recipe
Servings: 4
Calories: 112kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Pot

Ingredients

  • 4 lbs cleaned tripas
  • 8 strips thick-cut bacon
  • 3 onions
  • 2 tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup paprika
  • vegetable oil
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  • In a big pot, bring water to a boil. Make sure the tripas are completely submerged before adding them to the pot and boiling for 45 minutes.
  • Add the paprika, garlic powder, tomatoes, onions, and bacon.
  • Boil the tripas continuously until the majority of the water has evaporated.
  • The tripas will start to cook in their own fat as the fat begins to render. Stir continuously to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.
  • Cut them into pieces of two inches after removing from the pot.
  • In a skillet set over medium heat, add oil. Once added, stir occasionally while cooking the tripas until desired crispness is achieved. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Tripas should be taken out of the pan and dried on paper towels. To remove extra oil, pat with more paper towels. Serve with your prefered toppings and tortillas.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 20mg | Potassium: 597mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3839IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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