Chitterlings, affectionately known as chitlins, is not a dish for the faint of heart. It’s hard to explain how this beloved soul food tastes, and it doesn’t smell like it does when it’s cooking. After it’s done, it tastes great, especially with hot sauce and vinegar on collard greens, fried chicken, and cornbread.
Not everyone gets excited at the thought of eating pig intestines. But that’s not the way it is at my house. And I was astounded to find out that it’s a trendy New Year’s Eve dish.
In my family, making chitterlings (also known as chitlins) is a beloved tradition stretching back generations While they require some work upfront, chitterlings cooked low and slow in the crockpot become fall-off-the-bone tender and flavorful Follow my guide to learn how to clean, prep and cook chitterlings in the crockpot for soul food perfection.
Why Cook Chitterlings in the Crockpot?
Cooking chitterlings in a slow cooker offers several advantages:
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The low, gentle heat tenderizes the meat over several hours.
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You avoid standing over a hot stove monitoring them.
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The crockpot frees up your oven and stovetop for other dishes,
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It’s an easy, hands-off way to cook up a big batch for gatherings.
With just a bit of prep work, the crockpot does the rest for hassle-free chitterlings.
Selecting Fresh Chitterlings
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Look for chitterlings that are pinkish-white in color without dark spots. Avoid grey, yellowish ones.
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Smell is important – they should not have a strong, unpleasant odor.
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10-15 lbs provides a good amount for a large gathering when cooked in a crockpot.
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Can find them fresh or frozen; thaw frozen ones overnight in the fridge before cooking.
Choosing high-quality chitterlings is essential for delicious results.
Cleaning Chitterlings Thoroughly
Proper cleaning removes unpleasant odors and waste:
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Rinse under cool water while rubbing off any debris.
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Soak in heavily salted water 30 mins up to a few hours – salt helps draw out impurities.
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Drain, rinse again and peel off outer membrane using fingers.
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Cut cleaned chitterlings into bite-size pieces using kitchen shears.
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Soak cut chitterlings in vinegar water 30 mins to overnight to further reduce odors.
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Drain, rinse and pat dry well before cooking.
This process ensures clean, odor-free chitterlings ready for the crockpot.
Seasoning the Chitterlings
For flavorful chitterlings, season them well before cooking:
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Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne
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Smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, bay leaves
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Chicken or beef bouillon for savory flavor
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Hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar
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Onions, bell peppers, celery, garlic
Get creative with your favorite herbs, spices and seasonings!
Prep the Crockpot
Prepping the slow cooker ensures even cooking:
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Lightly coat the crock with nonstick spray.
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Don’t overfill – leave room for chitterlings to expand as they cook.
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Add 1 cup broth or water to help create a flavorful cooking liquid.
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Give seasoned chitterlings a good stir to distribute flavors.
Proper prep leads to tender chitterlings infused with seasoning.
Cook Times for Chitterlings
Thanks to the gentle heat of the slow cooker, chitterlings don’t take too long to cook:
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Low setting: Cook 8-10 hours
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High setting: Cook 4-6 hours
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The longer you cook them, the more tender they become.
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Check often and add more liquid if needed to prevent drying out.
Use a fork to test doneness – chitterlings should be fork tender when fully cooked.
Finishing Touches for Serving
Before enjoying these soul food delights:
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Mash chitterlings with a potato masher to desired chunkiness.
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Stir in hot sauce, vinegar, or other flavorings to taste.
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Keep on warm setting until ready to serve if finishing early.
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Garnish bowls with chopped green onions, hot sauce and pepper vinegar.
Crockpot chitterlings are ready to enjoy! Dig in.
Favorite Ways to Serve Chitterlings
Some classic pairings with chitterlings include:
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Hot sauce or pepper vinegar
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Diced onions
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Chopped parsley
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Cornbread, biscuits or hoecakes
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Collard greens, mustard greens or cabbage
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Mac and cheese or potato salad
Have fun mixing and matching different flavors and textures!
Tips for Crockpot Success
To ensure tender, delicious chitterlings, keep these tips in mind:
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Clean thoroughly and remove all membranes.
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Cut into smaller pieces so they cook evenly.
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Don’t overload the crock – let them move freely.
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Add liquid as needed to prevent drying out.
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Cook 8+ hours until fork tender.
With my step-by-step guide, you can now master cooking chitterlings in the crockpot. Enjoy this soul food favorite for holidays, game day and anytime! Just sit back and let the slow cooker work its magic.
The Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chitterlings: Chitlins can indeed be hard to find. Look for them at a Latin or Asian market near you. If you can’t find them there, ask a butcher to save them for you. Because they’ll shrink, you’ll need twice as many as you want to serve.
- Seasonings: This is very important because tripe doesn’t taste very good by itself. Onion, garlic, thyme, red and green bell peppers, celery, bay leaves, chicken bouillon, and my own spice blends are my favorites. Yes, of course, you can adjust them to your tastes.
- Vinegar: The acidity kills germs, makes things smell better, and makes food taste better. Chitlins can be soaked in vinegar before cooking, or they can be added to the pot while it’s cooking. This is what I do because I clean them really well before I start.
- Chitlins and collards taste better with hot sauce. It can go in the pot if you want, but most people serve it on the side. Hot pepper flakes work, too.
How to Make Chitterlings
- Thoroughly wash chitterlings and remove any excess fat.
- Next, cut the chitterlings into pieces about 1 to 2 inches long. Place the pieces in a medium-sized pot and add enough water to cover them. Cook on high for an hour.
- Put the chitterlings in a colander to drain the water and throw it away. Rinse them thoroughly.
- Rinse the pot well and place it over medium heat. In a pan, heat a tablespoon of oil. Add the onion, garlic, and thyme. Cook for one minute. Once you add the celery and bell pepper, cook for one more minute.
- Bring the chicken, bay leaves, bouillon, Creole seasoning, apple cider vinegar, and water to a boil. Mix everything well, and then add salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover the pot and place it over medium-high heat. Cook for about 2-3 hours until chitterlings are tender. Check the pot often to make sure there is still water; if there isn’t enough, add more.
Slow Cooker Chitterlings | I Heart Recipes
FAQ
How long does it take for chitterlings to get done?
What does baking soda do to chitterlings?
How do you cook chitterlings without the smell?
How do you cook chitterlings in a slow cooker?
Instructions First things first, make sure that you clean the chitterlings extra well! Next, cut the chitterlings into small pieces and add them into a slow cooker Pour in the water, and add in the seasonings. Give everything a nice stir, then place the lid on top of the slow cooker. Set the slow cooker on high, and cook for 6 hours.
How long do you cook chitterlings?
Be certain to pass the vinegar and hot sauce! Place cleaned chitterlings in a 6-quart pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a rolling boil; add onion and season with salt, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until chitterlings are clear to white in color and reach desired tenderness, 3 to 4 hours.
How do you know when Chitterlings are cooked?
The simmering is complete when the chitterlings are clear to white in color, an indicator of tenderness. Here are the steps for the cooking process: Place cleaned chitterlings in a large pot. Cover with cold water and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Add seasonings such as onion, garlic, and spices.
How to prepare chitterlings?
Preparing chitterlings can be a time-consuming process, but it is important to do it correctly to avoid any health risks. It is essential to clean and cook the intestines thoroughly before eating them. Here are some key things to keep in mind when preparing chitterlings: Clean the chitterlings thoroughly by rinsing them several times in cold water.