Hog maws, also known as pork stomachs, may not sound appetizing but they are a delicious soul food when prepared properly. In this article, I will instruct you how to cook hog maws hearts in 2 different ways.
1. Frequently Asked Questions
1.1 How To Clean And Prep Hog Maws?
Rinse the hog maws very thoroughly under cold running water. Pay special attention to the inside cavity, using your fingers to gently rub away any remaining food debris or residue.
Make a kosher salt and vinegar scrub by mixing together 1 cup kosher salt and 1⁄4 cup white vinegar. Use this mixture to gently scour the exterior and interior of the hog maws. The coarse salt helps scrub away impurities, while the vinegar solution helps kill bacteria.
Carefully trim away any bits of fat, membranes, or discolored portions with a sharp knife or kitchen shears. It is important to remove these parts completely to improve flavor and texture.
Place the cleaned hog maws in a large container and cover with cold water by several inches. Add 1⁄4 cup of lemon juice or vinegar to help draw out impurities. Refrigerate for 8 hours or up to overnight; this also softens and tenderizes the meat.
Drain and rinse the hog maws again before cooking. Pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels. At this point, they are ready for your recipes for simmering or slow-cooking until ultra tender. Enjoy their rich, meaty taste after proper cleaning and prep.
1.2 What Do Hog Maws Taste Like?
Hog maws have a similar taste and texture to tripe after they are cooked low and slow, becoming tender with a little chew. Their natural gelatin gives meaty body to broths, stews and collard greens. The mild flavor absorbs surrounding seasonings like smoked paprika, onion, garlic, hot sauce and herbs.
1.3 Is Hog Maw Healthy?
Like other odd bits meats, hog maws provide protein, vitamins and minerals. Per 3 oz. serving, expect 16 grams of protein, high levels of collagen, Vitamin C, iron and magnesium. They are also low in fat when trimmed properly. Not the most tender cut, but healthy and with an acquired, satisfying texture.
2. How To Cook Hog Maws on Stove
Ingredients
- 3 lbs cleaned hog maws, cut into pieces
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon beef bouillon granules
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 4 cups water or beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Pat the hog maw pieces dry and season all over with salt and pepper.
Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the hog maw pieces well on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
Reduce heat to medium and add the onion, bell peppers, and garlic to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until starting to soften.
Pour in the apple cider vinegar and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot.
Return the hog maws and any accumulated juices to the pot. Add the bay leaves, beef bouillon, paprika, thyme, cayenne pepper, and water or broth.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, until hog maws are fork-tender.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before serving.
The acidity of the vinegar helps break down the tough hog maws into fork-tender perfection. Enjoy this peppery, brothy braise!
3. How To Cook Hog Maws in Crock Pot
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of hog maws, cleaned and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup of chicken or pork broth
- 1 can of diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon of salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
Instructions
Place the hog maw pieces in the crock pot.
Next, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, chicken or pork broth, diced tomatoes (including the liquid), apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic powder, and paprika to the crock pot.
Stir everything together to combine the ingredients and evenly distribute the flavors.
Cover the crock pot with the lid and cook the hog maws on low heat for 6-8 hours, or on high heat for 3-4 hours.
After the cooking time, stir the hog maws to combine the flavors and adjust the seasoning if needed. Taste the broth and add more salt or red pepper flakes according to your preference.
Serve the cooked hog maws hot as a main dish or as a side with cornbread, rice, or your favorite accompaniments.
Cooking hog maws in a crock pot with these flavorful ingredients will result in a delicious and tender dish. Adjust the seasonings according to your taste preferences. Enjoy your meal!.
