Hog guts, anyone? Love 'em or hate 'em, you can't deny that chitlins have a flavor and flair that's all their own. Here's what you need to know about the classic Southern staple.
What Are Chitlins?
Chitlins (or chitterlings, as they're also called) are cooked pig intestines. While the vast majority of chitlins are pork, sometimes intestines from other animals (particularly cows) are sometimes used.
They're typically boiled, fried, or stuffed with mincemeat and served as just one part of a larger meal.
Chitlins' pungent scent is intensified by cooking, so they're often cooked with onions to help negate the intense aroma.
Chitlins are traditionally associated with soul food.
Chitlins Background
Though chitlins' history in the Southern U.S. goes back pretty far, animal intestines have been consumed around the world for much longer. For instance:
- Haggis (boiled sheep's intestines served in the animal's stomach) in Scotland
- Tricandilles (pig's intestines boiled in bouillon and then grilled) in France
- Zarajo (braided sheep's intestines rolled on a vine branch) in Spain
- Chinchulín (cow's intestine) in Latin America
- Motsu (fried pig intestines on skewers) in Japan
Like other soul foods, chitlins' roots in the U.S. are tied to slavery.
In a pre-Civil War era, most slave owners fed enslaved peoples as cheaply as possible. This meant that the slave owner's household would keep the desirable cuts of pork, while the seemingly unappetizing parts of the pig (snouts, ears, feet, intestines, etc.) would go to the slaves.
What Do Chitlins Taste Like?
Chitlins tend to inspire strong feelings among people who eat them. Whether you love or hate them, you can't argue that chitlins offer an distinctive savory flavor.
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Their distinct, meaty taste is almost impossible to describe to someone who has never eaten them. For many people who aren't fans of chitlins, their thick (and sometimes rubbery) texture is more the issue than the taste.
Are Chitlins Safe to Eat?
Chitlins are safe to eat — as long as you handle and clean them very carefully.
Pork intestines that are prepared improperly can make you extremely sick with an illness calledyersiniosis. Though anyone who doesn't wash up thoroughly after coming into contact with affected meat is at risk, young children are more likely to become ill.
Symptoms of yersiniosis — which may persist for several weeks — include fever, abdominal pain, and bloody diarrhea.
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How to Clean Chitlins
If at all possible, purchase pre-cooked chitlins from a butcher. This will help prevent the spread of germs in your household.
If you must purchase raw chitlins to prepare at home, there are some extremely important precautions you should take — food safety, when it comes to chitlins, starts before you even touch the meat:
First thing's first: According to the CDC, it's important to keep children out of the kitchen during the cooking process.
- Take out everything you'll need to prepare the chitlins and to clean up when you're done before you even take them out of the packaging. This includes knives, cutting boards, seasonings, pots, pans, colanders, measuring cups, bleach, and paper towels.
- Once everything's on the counter and within reach, you can boil the chitlins in water for at least 5 minutes to kill as many germs as possible. Drain in a colander.
- Thoroughly examine each chitlin for any debris. Look out for straw, hair, undigested food, and fecal matter.
- Rinse under cool water, making sure all debris is washed down the drain.
How to Prepare Chitlins
After the chitlins have been cleaned, you can cut or tear them however you want. Most people opt for about 1-inch pieces.
Reminder: It's at this point you'll want to sanitize your kitchen again. Make sure everything that's touched the chitlins is 100% clean — this includes your colander and sink.
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How to Make Boiled Chitlins
- Boil the meat with whatever spices and seasonings your recipe calls for. Common ingredients are onions, apple cider and/or white vinegar, pepper, salt, garlic, and seasoning salt. Cook in a covered pot for about three hours.
- Drain in a (sanitized!) colander and season to taste.
How to Make Fried Chitlins
- Boil the chitlins for a few hours to make sure they're completely cooked and safe to eat before frying.
- Coat each piece in a batter made according to your recipe.
- Heat two to three inches of oil in a large pot, then fry chitlins until they're golden and crisp.
- Season to taste.
Chitlins Recipes to Try:
- Down Home Chitterlings
- Creole Chitterlings
- Pressure Cooker Chitlins
FAQs
Chitlins (or chitterlings, as they're also called) are cooked pig intestines. While the vast majority of chitlins are pork, sometimes intestines from other animals (particularly cows) are sometimes used. They're typically boiled, fried, or stuffed with mincemeat and served as just one part of a larger meal.
What are chitlins and what do they taste like? ›
Chitlins, also known as chitterlings, are the intestines of a pig that have been cooked. Rarely, cow intestines are also used for chitlins. They are usually boiled down, fried up, and served with apple cider vinegar and hot sauce. Chitlins have a strong, pungent smell, which is heightened when cooking.
Are chitterlings good for you? ›
The selenium in chitterlings might also reduce your risk of heart disease and asthma, as well as keep your immune system healthy. Adults require 55 micrograms of selenium each day, which makes chitterlings a smart choice for helping to meet your daily needs.
Are pre-cleaned chitterlings really clean? ›
You'll need to clean the chitterlings even if the kind you purchase say they've been pre-cleaned.
Do chitlins smell when cooked? ›
First: chitlins, that delicacy made of fried pig intestines. * They're well-loved throughout the South, especially during the upcoming holiday season. But the smell of them cooking inspires significantly less affection. Because the cooking process sometimes smells like, well, feces.
Is Walmart selling chitlins? ›
With a vast array of delicious choices to choose from, pick up any Smithfield pork offals or chitterlings and find your favorite. Enjoy irresistible pork flavor with every savory bite in a meal that's sure to leave you satisfied.
What ethnicity eats chitlins? ›
Chitlin's are cooked either stewed/broiled or fried. They are sometimes spelled and referred to as Chitterlings. While many people know of Chitlin's from the Black Southern Palate, a form of Chitlin's are actually prepared in most cultures including Europe, Asia and South America.
Can diabetics eat chitterlings? ›
Conclusions: The preparation or consumption of chitterlings by diabetic patients and other chronically ill persons can result in potentially life-threatening infectious complications.
Is chitlins a black food? ›
Chitterlings or chitlins are an African American culinary tradition.
What are the side effects of chitterlings? ›
Chitterlings can be contaminated with the bacteria Yersinia enterocolitica, which can cause a diarrheal illness called "yersiniosis." Other foodborne pathogens — such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli— can also be present, so it is important to follow safe food handling practices to prevent infection.
Look at what Aunt Bessie's Chitlins fans are saying:
- “By far the cleanest chitterlings in the WORLD!!! I will never go back to the bucket.” ...
- “I have purchased these chitterlings before and they are the absolute cleanest I've ever had. ...
- “Aunt Bessie's Hand Cleaned Chitterlings are the BEST...
Tripas, in Mexican cuisine (known as chitterlings in English-speaking countries), are the small intestines of farm animals that have been cleaned, boiled and grilled. Tripas are used as filling for tacos, and then dressed with condiments such as cilantro, chopped onions, and chile sauce.
Why did people start eating chitterlings? ›
The history of chitterlings in Southern culinary traditions began when, at hog butchering time, slaves were given the leftovers by their slavers, and had to make do with neck bones, snouts, feet and other less desirable parts. The slaves used the intestines to make a dish that became a staple in soul food cooking.
Can chitlins go bad? ›
Freeze raw chitlins unless you plan to clean and cook them within 2 days. Thaw raw frozen chitlins in the refrigerator in a bowl or bucket completely covered in plastic wrap to prevent drips that can contaminate the refrigerator and items in it. Use raw chitlins within 2 days after thawing them.
What can you put in chitterlings to keep the smell down? ›
Chitlins – You'll need a tub or bag of chitlins to start. Choose a brand that has been “hand-cleaned,” and they'll be a little cleaner straight out of the package, saving you some time at home. Baking Soda or Vinegar – Either of these ingredients will help sanitize the intestines and neutralize the smell.
Are chitlins like pork rinds? ›
Chitlins might look similar to our favorite pork products, but be warned - these are made from the intestines of pigs, so if you're easily grossed out, maybe go find another snack...and go into another room, because these babies have a strong smell.
What are pig intestines used for? ›
The pig's large intestines are also used for preparations as chitterlings or filler meat. In sausage making, they are used for stuffing liver sausages, some salamis etc.
Are chitlins chewy? ›
Chitterlings have a tender but not too chewy texture, though it can be thick and “rubbery.” The savory pork flavor is subtle and slightly salty. Since chitterlings are soft, they tend to soak up the flavors of whatever they're cooked in.
What part of the pig is bacon? ›
Bacon can come from a pig's belly, back or sides — essentially anywhere that has an exceptionally high fat content. In the United Kingdom, back bacon is most common, but Americans are more familiar with “streaky” bacon, also known as side bacon, which is cut from pork belly.
