Callos Madrilenos: Madrid-Style Tripe

Wooden bowl full of made tripe, chorizo, blood sausage and chickpeas in a spicy sauce. There is a gray checkered napkin under the bowl and a wooden spoon next to the dish. Above the bowl there are broken up pieces of bread.

ALLEKO / Getty Images

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 3 hrs 30 mins
Total: 3 hrs 45 mins
Servings: 6 servings

Beef tripe, which is the lining of ​the beef stomach, is called callos in Spanish. It is used to make a very traditional dish in Madrid and has been served in taverns and on family dining tables for centuries. It is a hearty meal perfect for cold winter days.

Like all traditional dishes, there are many variations. This recipe includes serrano ham and morcilla (Spanish blood sausage), while others might use ox cheek and a splash of white wine. It also has the option of adding garbanzo beans; although not traditional in this tripe dish, the beans thicken the broth a bit.

You can find beef tripe in most markets. There are three kinds of tripe―honeycomb (the most tender), pocket tripe (less tender), and plain or smooth tripe (the least tender). If you can, buy the honeycomb tripe. This recipe also features calf or pig foot—when purchasing, make sure it is cut in half. The local butcher can cut it in seconds with their sharp tools.

Serve callos hot with crusty bread on the side for a hearty meal.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Clean the tripe well under cold running water. Set in a bowl of cold water mixed with the vinegar for 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

  3. Cut the tripe into pieces approximately 3-inches square. Set aside.

  4. Coarsely chop 1 onion. Set aside.

  5. Remove and peel each clove from the bulb of garlic. Set aside.

  6. In a large heavy-bottomed pot, place the tripe pieces and the split calf or pig foot.

  7. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Allow to boil for 1 minute.

  8. Drain into a colander and rinse the froth from the meat.

  9. Return the tripe and foot to the cooking pot and add 4 to 6 cups of water, or enough to cover.

  10. Put chopped onion and all but 3 peeled cloves of garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns in​ the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer for 3 hours.

  11. Finely chop the remaining onion and 3 cloves of garlic.

  12. Slice the chorizo sausage into rounds. Cut the serrano ham into small squares.

  13. In a skillet, heat the olive oil and sauté the chopped onion, garlic, chorizo, and ham for 5 minutes, or until onions are translucent.

  14. Remove from heat and stir in the paprika.

  15. Add the mixture to the pot with the tripe.

  16. Cut the morcilla into rounds and place in the pot. If using the optional garbanzo beans, add them now. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

  17. The traditional way to serve callos is in earthenware bowls. Enjoy.

How Do You Get Rid Of the Smell of Tripe?

Tripe is a delicious addition to soups and stews, but if not prepared correctly it can have an unpleasant smell. It's important to clean tripe well before cooking. Soaking clean tripe in a vinegar and water solution can help counteract the smell, as can boiling, draining, and rinsing once or twice.

Can You Freeze Tripe?

Raw or cooked tripe can be frozen for up to three months. Store in an airtight container and defrost before using.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
509 Calories
40g Fat
8g Carbs
28g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 509
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 40g 51%
Saturated Fat 13g 66%
Cholesterol 136mg 45%
Sodium 1519mg 66%
Total Carbohydrate 8g 3%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 28g
Vitamin C 2mg 9%
Calcium 56mg 4%
Iron 4mg 24%
Potassium 452mg 10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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