food

Pepper Pot Soup Recipe

Here’s a classic recipe for Philadelphia Pepper Pot Soup, adapted for a modern kitchen. It’s rich, flavorful, and perfect for a cozy celebration of Pepper Pot Day!

Traditional Philadelphia Pepper Pot Soup Recipe

Servings: 6-8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours

Ingredients

  • 1 pound beef tripe, cleaned and cut into small pieces
  • 1 pound beef stew meat (or you can use oxtail or shank)
  • 6 cups beef stock (or a mix of beef and chicken stock)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to your spice preference)
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns, crushed
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/4 cup flour (optional, for thickening)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Tripe
    • Rinse the tripe thoroughly under cold water. Place it in a pot with water, bring to a boil, and simmer for 1 hour. Drain and set aside.
  2. Cook the Meat
    • In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef stew meat and cook until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
  3. Sauté the Aromatics
    • In the same pot, add onions, bell peppers, carrots, and celery. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
  4. Simmer the Soup
    • Return the beef to the pot, along with the tripe. Add the beef stock, potatoes, thyme, red pepper flakes, crushed black peppercorns, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1.5–2 hours, until the meat and tripe are tender.
  5. Thicken the Soup (Optional)
    • If you want a thicker soup, mix the flour with a bit of water to create a slurry. Stir it into the soup during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
  6. Season and Serve
    • Remove the bay leaves. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve hot with crusty bread or corn muffins for dipping.
  • For authenticity, you can accompany it with Philadelphia-style pretzels!