Trippa alla Romana
A classic Roman dish featuring tender honeycomb tripe braised in a rich tomato sauce, infused with the fresh aroma of mint and finished with salty Pecorino Romano cheese.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Honeycomb tripe(Ensure it's pre-cleaned. If not, rinse thoroughly under cold water and blanch in boiling water for 10 minutes, then drain.)
- 800 g Canned crushed tomatoes(Good quality San Marzano tomatoes are recommended for best flavor.)
- 1 large bunch Fresh mint leaves(About 30-40g. Reserve some for garnish.)
- 1 medium Yellow onion(Finely chopped.)
- 2 cloves Garlic cloves(Minced.)
- 80 g Pecorino Romano cheese(Freshly grated, plus extra for serving.)
- 150 ml Dry white wine(Such as Pinot Grigio or Verdicchio.)
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper(Freshly ground.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the tripe: If your tripe is not pre-cleaned, rinse it thoroughly under cold running water. Blanch it by placing it in a large pot of boiling water for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse again. Cut the tripe into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm squares.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 2
Sauté aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat (175°C / 350°F). Add the finely chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 8 minutes - 3
Sear and deglaze: Add the prepared tripe pieces to the pot. Increase the heat to medium-high (190°C / 375°F) and sear the tripe for about 5 minutes, stirring, until lightly browned. Pour in the white wine and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits. Let the wine bubble and reduce by about half, about 2-3 minutes.
⏱️ 8 minutes - 4
Simmer the sauce: Stir in the crushed tomatoes. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low (150°C / 300°F), cover the pot, and let it cook for at least 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the tripe is very tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 1 hour 30 minutes - 5
Finish and serve: Roughly chop the fresh mint leaves. Stir most of the chopped mint and the grated Pecorino Romano cheese into the tripe sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Simmer for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve hot, garnished with the remaining fresh mint and extra grated Pecorino Romano cheese.
⏱️ 10 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The tenderness of the tripe is key; cook it long enough until it yields easily to a fork.
- ✓Fresh mint provides a distinctive, refreshing counterpoint to the rich sauce. Don't substitute dried mint.
- ✓Trippa alla Romana is a traditional dish often enjoyed on Saturdays in Rome.
- ✓For an even richer flavor, you can add a bay leaf during the simmering stage (remove before serving).
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Trippa alla Fiorentina: Similar to this recipe but often includes peas and is sometimes finished with a touch of cream.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic for a hint of spice.
- Experiment with other fresh herbs like parsley or marjoram, though mint is traditional.