How to Clean Chitterlings and Chitlins

by Diane
(Houston, TX)

I remember the great taste of the chitterlings my grandma use to make when I was growing up. Since she's not around anymore to cook chitlins, I thought I would give it a try. I know you have to boil them until they are tender but I can't remember exactly how to clean chitterlings. Does anyone know how to clean chitlins? Thanks for your help.

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How to Clean Chitterlings and Chitlins

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Clean Chitterlings Gourmet Food Center
by: Bruce

Considering the price of gas in today's economy. I think the packaging, shipping, and handling price to have the chitlins delivered to you from the Gourmet Food Center is very reasonable.

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How to Cleaning Chitterlings
by: Mary(Alabama girl)

After cleaning, by removing that thin layer, making sure the edges are checked completely. I then do an inspection one by one. After several rinsing in hot water, put them in a pot of hot water covering them. Bringing to a boil. If there are any dark to yellow spots they can be spotted, for they turn very white in the hot boiling water. Then comes the last inspection, and your seasoning.
I don't share with others, I don't eat anyone elses nor do anyone else eat mine. ENJOY!! That's good eating.

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Cleaning Chitterlings
by: Ms. Betty

I am glad to hear that people do realize that you have to remove that layer of skin to thoroughly clean a chitterlings. The already precleaned or just open package, rinse and cook is misleading to some because you still have to go through each one and pull that layer of skin off and then rinse them until the water is clear. I have never run into chitterlings in the store that were clean enough for me to just put in a pot and cook. If you purchase a 5lb package of chitterlings after cleaning them you have about 2.5 lbs of chitterlings to eat.

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Clean Chitterlings Gourmet Food Center
by: Bruce

This recommendation is by Bruce. Go to the website Chitlins .net and buy them already Hand Cleaned. They are delivered to your door 100 per cent Hand Cleaned.

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Bruce thanks for the recommendation.

I just visited the website. Today, they're offering a special where they deliver 10 pounds of frozen, hand-cleaned, chitterlings to your doorstep. Although the price of $24.99 is reasonable for that much of pre-cleaned chitlins, the $13.15 charge for shipping and taxes is a little high.

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Cleaning Chitterlings
by: Anonymous

Diane, I agree with you. Once you have removed the inner lining the job is pretty much done. Like you, I remove the inner lining, then inspect at least twice more to make sure I didn't miss anything. I also continue to rinse several times to make sure the water is clean. Once completed the water around the chitterlings should be clear. My mom and I clean ours early and freeze them. When its time for cooking we inspect again and rinse.

Before cooking we also per-boil for at least 5 minutes, re-rinse, and then boil for cooking and adding seasoning. My rule of thumb is they should not have a smell while cooking. If you add potatoes, peppers, onions etc this will help with that.

Also keep in mind that they do have some bacteria because they are intestines so please make sure they are properly cleaned to protect yourself and family from illness.

And like my momma always told me...you don't eat every bodies chitterlings because some folk really don't know how to clean them and you don't want to eat trash...Best of luck to you all.

Happy Holidays!

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CLEANING
by: Anonymous

I rinse mine several times, add to pot with just enough water to cover. Then add spices and boil until tender (about 2-3 hours) depending on how much you are cooking. Oh, I also add a white potatoe while cooking, it helps cut the smell.

Enjoy!

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Easier Way to Clean
by: TNick

Diane, Remove the intestinal lining from the intestine. That will remove most of the fat and foreign material. It's like peeling apart window film or contact paper, but it saves time in the long run. Then go back over and inspect a second and even third time. Rinse in cold and prepare as desired.

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Clean Chitterlings
by: Soul Food Chef

Diane

Its good to see you worked up enough nerve to try your hand at fixing a dish your Grandma use to make. Chitlin cleaning is not too difficult, but if you get it wrong to can cause you and your family to get real sick. The chitterlings must be repeatedly soaked and rinsed during several different cycles. During which you will hand pick and remove excess fat and any fecal matter that is present. Once cleaned, add the meat to your pot with spices and bring to a boil. Skim away any foam that is produced and when foam is no longer present reduce heat to a simmer and cook until tender.

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