Chitterlings are a holiday staple in Southern households! In this easy stovetop chitterlings recipe, I show you how to properly clean and cook delicious spicy chitlins at home.
In my house, holidays are all about family. When I was a young girl, we had huge holiday potlucks. Our menus included holiday hams, whole roasted turkeys, collard greens, cakes and desserts, and a big ol’ pot of holiday chitterlings! Each of the cooks in my family has their own twist when it comes to chitterlings recipes—no one makes their chitlins the same way! However, they all have one thing in common… we all like to make our chitlins SPICY.
The most important part of a chitterlings recipe is the cleaning process. Unlike the other women in my family, I hate the cleaning process! Now that they’re selling pre-cleaned chitterlings these days, that’s all I buy. However, even the super clean chitterlings have an odor. But don’t y’all worry—I will walk you through the soaking and cleaning process and share exactly how I cook chitterlings on the stovetop.
Let’s jump on into this Soul Food chitlins recipe!
What Are Chitterlings?
There’s really no way around it. Chitterlings, sometimes spelled chitlins or chittlins, are pig intestines. Yep—you read that right (although, if you’ve landed on this recipe, chances are y’all already knew that!). Chitterlings are almost always made with pork intestines but can come from other animals like cows or lamb.
Like most true Soul Food dishes, chitterlings have roots in Civil War-era enslaved families. The chitlins were discarded by enslavers as the unwanted parts of the pig (along with the pig’s feet, ears, snout, etc.). To not be wasteful, enslaved households would cook the scraps, creating their own delicious recipes to feed their families.
However, cooking pig intestines didn’t start in North America. Globally, cultures have been cooking intestines for hundreds of years—most notably, Haggis (from Scotland) and Chinchulín (from Latin America).
How to Clean & Cook Chitterlings: Video Tutorial
Watch my quick step-by-step video tutorial showing how I carefully clean, prep, and cook chitterlings. Below, I walk you through all the steps in my chitterlings recipe more in-depth, including the ingredients and recipe variations.
Ingredients for Stovetop Chitterlings
So, what do you need to make chitlins delicious? I keep my chitterlings recipe simple. As I said before, we like spicy in this household, but if that’s not your vibe, feel free to omit the spicy ingredients! As always, you can find a complete list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.
Here’s what you need to make tender, tasty stovetop chitterlings:
- Pre-Cleaned Chitterlings: I promise you that buying pre-cleaned will make your life so much easier! For this recipe, I only use about 4 lbs. of chitterlings.
- Vegetables: I use onions and bell pepper in this recipe. You can use yellow onion, white onions, or any color bell peppers you have on hand.
- Seasonings & Spices: this is where you can customize your chitterlings recipe to your liking! For mine, I keep it simple with red pepper flakes for spice. I also add a bit of fresh minced garlic.
- Jalapeno Peppers: my mother loved jalapenos in her chitlins, so I include some chopped jalapenos in my recipes.
- Red Wine Vinegar: helps mellow out the chitterlings during cooking.
- Chicken Broth: I prefer cooking my chitterlings in chicken broth and water for added flavor.
- Water, Apple Cider Vinegar, & Potatoes: the three things you need to clean the chitlins properly.
Where to Buy Chitterlings
Chitterlings aren’t as hard to find as you may think! You can usually find some pre-cleaned chitlins at your local grocery store. In addition, they’re available at nationwide stores like Walmart and Kroger. Aunt Bessie’s Pork Chitterlings are a very popular brand of pre-washed chitterlings and are available in many stores.
How to Clean Chitterlings
The cleaning process is incredibly important! Even though most store-bought chitterlings come pre-cleaned these days, it’s still a good idea to give them a good cleaning to be sure there’s no foreign matter. No one wants sick dinner guests, y’all! So here’s how to properly clean chitterlings:
- Prep and sanitize your workstation. This includes your sink, countertop, cutting board, and utensils—anything that will come into contact with the chitlins.
- Fill the sink with cool water and soak the chitlins. Then, break them apart, and make sure they’re all loose and hanging out in that cool water.
- To help get rid of the smell, use whole potatoes. This trick was taught to me by an old Southern lady. Simply put 2 or 3 whole russet potatoes (cleaned and unpeeled) into the sink with the chitterlings while they soak. You’ll also add apple cider vinegar at this time.
- Check and prep the chitlins while they soak. Even though they’re pre-cleaned, we want to inspect each one to make sure. I don’t like any membranes or extra fat on my chitlins, so I remove any I see.
- Let the chitterlings soak for 1-2 hours. Feel free to drain the dirty water, give them a rinse, and refill it with fresh water throughout the process.
Can you eat chitterlings without cleaning them?
Unless you have an iron stomach, I highly recommend thoroughly cleaning chitterlings before eating. Whether you bought pre-cooked chitterlings, pre-washed, or good old-fashioned raw chitterlings, the CDC recommends taking precautions and following proper food safety steps.
Do you put bleach in chitterlings?
No, do not put bleach IN the chitterlings! However, you should use a mixture of 1 tablespoon bleach to 1 gallon of water to clean anywhere chitterlings have touched after you’ve finished prepping them. That means your countertops and your sink—the sides of your sink, around the edges, even the handles and faucet.
How to Cook Chitterlings on the Stovetop
Now that your chitterlings are good and clean, it’s time to get into cooking! From here on out, the process is pretty dang easy. Here’s a quick overview of how to cook chitterlings on the stovetop. You can print out these steps using the recipe card at the bottom of the post and watch my video on YouTube for a visual tutorial!
- Add the cleaned and prepped chitterlings to a large pot. At this time, I also use kitchen scissors to cut the chitlins into small pieces—about 1–2-inch pieces.
- Add the vegetables and seasonings. Ideally, you will have chopped and prepped your veggies while the chitlins are soaking. We use onion, green bell pepper, jalapeno peppers, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes.
- Next, add the liquids—red wine vinegar, chicken broth, and water. I use one part water to one part chicken broth. You’ll want to make sure you’re using enough water and broth just to cover the chitterlings in the pot.
- Cover the pot and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once it’s boiling, turn it down to medium, medium-high heat to maintain a constant simmer. Let the chitterlings cook for about 3 and ½ hours until tender. They should easily pull apart when pulled with a fork.
That’s how you cook chitterlings, y’all! For some, chitlins might be an acquired taste, but when done right, they’re tender and tasty and pair perfectly with many other Southern and Soul Food dishes as part of a larger meal.
Chitterlings Recipe Variations & FAQs
Now, my recipe might be a bit different than your family’s recipe—and that’s perfectly fine! The beauty of this chitterlings recipe is that it can be customized to your liking. Now, do I think the Cousin Rosie way is the best way? You know I do! But it’s definitely not the only way. Here are some popular chitlins recipe variations you might like to try.
Can I make this chitterlings recipe in a crockpot?
You sure can! I even have a similar slow cooker chitterlings recipe posted. It has mostly the same ingredients, plus slow cooker cooking times.
What are the best seasonings for chitterlings?
The best seasonings for chitterlings are your favorite seasonings! Some families—like mine—prefer spicy chitterlings, so we use red pepper flakes and jalapenos. But there are plenty of other seasoning options.
- Kick up the heat even more with cayenne pepper and serve the chitterlings with a vinegary hot sauce.
- Use the basics like salt, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder to season the chitterlings.
- Herbs like thyme and bay leaves are great additions. Toss the herbs into the broth while the chitterlings cook and absorb those fresh, earthy flavors.
- Use a seasoning blend like my Down by the Bayou Cajun seasoning or Creole Lady seasoning from Rosamae Seasonings.
What other vegetables can you use in chitterlings?
If you want more flavors, add more vegetables to your chitlins! Use green onions, leeks, celery, or carrots. You could add different hot peppers if you like the spice or add tomatoes to make it more of a stew.
How to Make Ahead & Store Leftovers
If you’re working with raw chitterlings, it’s easy to clean and prep them ahead of time. Just make sure you don’t store raw chitterlings for longer than two days, or else they’ll go bad. You can also freeze cleaned raw chitterlings for up to two months!
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Like many Southern recipes, chitterlings taste even better the next day, when they’ve had time to absorb all the delicious flavors from the broth.
What to Serve with Chitterlings
I always serve my chitterlings with potato salad, collard greens, and cornbread, but this recipe goes well with just about any Southern dish. Serve alongside turnip greens, pinto beans, or with green beans and potatoes. Of course, they pair well with fried chicken or smoked turkey!
Cooking chitterlings doesn’t have to be a scary thought! With the right ingredients, a good technique, and some patients, you can turn chitlins into a tender, flavorful dish that’s a staple in many Southern households. Whether you’re cooking for the holidays, large family gatherings, or just making them for dinner, chitterlings are a delicacy worth trying!
If you made this recipe and loved it, or if you have any questions about my recipe, leave a comment down below! As always, don’t forget to follow along with all things Rosie and I Heart Recipes by following me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, and check out all my cookbooks! I just released a brand new cookbook, Super Soul Food with Cousin Rosie, with many recipes you can’t find anywhere else.
Stovetop Chitterlings Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 lbs cleaned pork chitterlings
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 medium sized onion chopped
- 1 medium sized bell pepper chopped
- 1 tbsp crushed red peppers
- 2 tbsp chopped jalapeno peppers
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups water
Instructions
How to Clean Chitterlings:
- Sanitize your work area including your countertop, sink, cutting board, and any other areas where you will be working with the chitterlings.
- Fill the sink with cool water and soak the chitterlings. Break them up using your hands.
- Add potatoes (to remove the smell) and apple cider vinegar to the cool water. Let the chitterlings soak for 1-2 hours.
- While the chitterlings are soaking, closely inspect each one. Make sure there's no gunk, remove excess fat and membranes, and make sure they're extra clean.
- Repeat the rinse/soaking process 1-2 more times if desired. Each time, drain the dirty water, rinse the chitterlings, and soak with more cold water and vinegar until the soaking water is clear.
How to Cook Chitterlings
- Then cut chitterlings into 1-2 inch pieces using a knife or scissors. Add the cut chitterlings to a large pot.
- Add your bell peppers, onion, crushed red peppers, jalapenos, and garlic to the pot.
- Pour in the chicken broth, water, and red wine vinegar. Add enough liquid to just cover the chitterlings.
- Cover the pot, and place the pot on the stove over high heat. Bring the chitterlings to a boil.
- Once they maintain a rolling boil, let the pot boil for about 10 minutes, then turn the heat down to medium/medium-high heat to maintain a summer.
- Let the chitterlings cook over medium heat for 3 1/2 hours or until tender.
- Be sure to stir periodically! To test if they're done, pull apart a chitterling with a fork. If they're done, they'll pull apart easily.
Haven’t had chitterlings since I was a child…maybe I’ll make some this year. Thanks for the recipe!!!
You’re welcomed!
Thanks Rosie for the video I never cooked them in the pot. I always cook them in the crockpot but I never seasoned them like you did I want to try it your way. And I like the soaking trick you did. Do you recommend the crockpot? I normally put it on at night and when I wake up they are done.
Rosie I’m going to try your recipe thank you also you very pretty
Thanks so much Peda! XOXO
Your recipe is exactly the one I use with a couple of exceptions. I use Louisiana hot sauce instead of peppers, and I chop a potato up and add. otherwise your recipe is a mirror image of mine. Also, I have to cook mine outside on my crawfish boil burner for my health. That’s to stop my wife and grand kids from having a necktie party for me. My wife is from Ghana. I find it strange she loves pigsfeet but hates chitlins. Oddly enough, I have to get my chitlins from either Walmart or HEB and I live in a suburban area. I’ve found more white people that eat chitlins than black Millennials.
OMG thanks I don’t know if u remember me emailing you about this because I never had chitterling I hate the smell of it but my husband loves it his grand mother always use to cook this for him but now that she has pass he kind not find nobody to cook for him but I know WHO I AM LOL THIS CHRISMAS THANKS AGAIN
OH AND WHAT DO YOU EAT WITH THIS ?
Hi Netta. I think I do recall your email! LOL. I always serve my chitterlings with potato salad, collard greens and cornbread. Enjoy hun!
THANKS HUN
Wow that citterlings recipe gonna get tried soon. Real soon. Im making that with yellow rice and string beans…….yum yum. Thanks boo!
Sounds yummy!
do set crockpot on high or low when cooking chitterlings overnight for 8 hours. I never thought about using the crockpot, thanks. I like your recipe.
You would set your slow cooker on low for 8 hours. 🙂
I meant do you set…..
Never thought of adding chicken broth but what a nice addition. I now cook mine overnight in the slow cooker on low for about 8 hours. They are ready in the morning and I can spend the day on the other dishes. Love your site!
Next time that I make these, I will put them in the crockpot! Thanks for the tips.
I’m definitely going to try this recipe. Thanks, Rosie.
Rosie, How long do they need to soak in the vinegar and potatoes?
Until they don’t stink anymore! LOL
I had been craving chitterlings for a week or more. And since I could not get to the only restaurant that cooks them. I cooked them myself using your recipe and surprised my mother with them. She loved it so much that she requested I bring a dish of them for Thanksgiving dinner.
Awesome!! I think I should add a updated video soon.
When I cook chittlins, I have a lot of grease leftover. How is it you had no grease. What did you do differently? Thanks
I make sure to clean the chittlins really really good. I remove all of the membranes, and excess.
Thanks for responding
It
takes me sometimes 5-6 hours to clean them but somehow I still end up with a lot of grease. How does it take you to clean yours.
BTW…yours look delicious!
I buy the pre cleaned chittlins and clean them cause they aren’t clean but not as mush work with the bucket. Tjen i soak and cook them. Too old to do the bucket! They turn out great!
I made these too Rosie. So yummy. I’ used red & green peppers ( first time adding peppers to my chitlins). My hubby & I love your recipes. I told him you responded on my Carmel cake review & he said that wasn’t Rosie, that was one of her workers…lol.
Hi Monica!! I’m glad that you liked this recipe! I personally answered comment, so tell your hubby it was ROSIE!! LOLOL!! I hope you all have an amazing holiday!
I love blackeyed peas,cole slaw with white bread and hot sauce on the side with chitterlings. Rice sometimes too, cooked in the chitterling broth. Got that from one of my South Carolina friends!!
Hi, Rosie. I have seen where you say to watch your video for soaking chitlins, but there doesn’t seem to be a video. Can you post a link or something?
Here’s the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6Ul-WMeXsc
Hello Rosie, for the soaking process, how much apple cider vinegar did you add? Thanks
Approximately 1/8 cup 🙂
Hi Rosie. Trying your chitterlings recipe for new year’s. You did a great video from the start to the end. I will be omitting the hot peppers,but I’m sure they will still be tasty. Thanks Sheri
Thanks for trying Sheri! Happy New Year!
Hi Rosie. Been following your recipes for a couple years. Excellent. I love soul food, and I am a white 64 year old woman. I made your Chitterlings necause I love trying new foods. They are excellent Had never tried them. Made in crock pot. REALLY enjoyed. Thank you for sharing and helping us first timers. LOVE
Victoria
Thanks for trying Victoria!
This is awesome that you’re still replying after so many years of blogging… Thanks for sharing
I try my best to get to as many comments as I can. XOXO
Hi Rosie if I’m cooking 10 lbs should I double the ingtedients?
Yes, double the ingredients 🙂
Currently in the works. I was looking for a recipe similar to my favorite that my granny used to make thanks for posting
Hey Rosie,
This recipe is still on my list to try for sure!
I wanted to share one of my favorite holiday memories. About eight years ago or so, Christmas was a little lean that year for some reason or another. To someone looking in from the outside, the gifts I was given could be seen as chauvinistic, but they were encouraging. I was learning how to cook, and I was awful at it. When I tell you I couldn’t cook, I couldn’t cook rice, including minute rice. I was horrible, but my husband ate EVERYTHING I made. So for that Christmas, he bought me cookbooks, cooking gadgets(garlic press, sisters, mini chopper, etc.) I was so happy because he wanted me to get better and provided the tools to help me. To know that he believed in me enough to get this cooking thing right was better than any other gift he gave me.
Thinking back on that now, it still brings a smile to my heart.
Have a wonderful Christmas & Happy New Year!!
Hey Rosie, I am an older woman and has been cooking for years. Lately not so much. I have been loving you and your recipes for a decade. Now when I want a recipe I search IHeart and the dish. Hence why I’m here. Keep sharing with us. Thank you! ♥️
Thank you so much for sticking with me for so long! I appreciate the support! XOXO
Thank you for your help.I making this dish now.
How much apple cider vinegar to put in for soaking?
A cup capfuls per wash.
Thank you so much I know how to cookchitterling but I love the way you do it I love a New way will cook my for Christmas this year 12/25/23
Thank you 4 Ur time & effort, greatly appreciated! lol be em !
This is my second time using raise recipe and 2nd time making chattering and they came out PERFECTLY just how I remember when I was young! You are my go to for recipes! Thank you
This is my second time using this recipe and 2nd time making chitterlings and they came out PERFECTLY just how I remember when I was young! You are my go to for recipes! Thank you
Great recipe and advice. Thank you
Thanks. Great receipt. Thanks for all the extra tips. worked well and mighty tasty.
Hi Rosie white gal cheri is gonna make some today Amen
Thanks for the chitterling recipe!
,HELLO MY NAME IS DOROTHY I COOKED CHITTALINGS FOR MY FAMILY AND WENT BY YOUR RECIPE. THEY WAS DELICIOUS I LIKEĎ THEY WAY THEY TASTED, THANKS FOR THE TIPS I WILL USE MORE OF YOUR DISHES.
Thanks a lot they came out great.
Love it!! Thank you!