Igado Recipe – You’ll find no shortage of recipes in Filipino cuisine that uses all parts of protein. One of these dishes is Igado. Igado, also known as “Higado” in Spanish, is a popular spiced pork liver dish from the Ilocos region. Alongside culinary delights like Pinakbet, Papaitan, and Dinakdakan, Igado is special in Filipino food culture. This flavorful dish combines pork liver, tenderloin cuts, and other organs like the heart and kidney. Traditionally, it is prepared by incorporating vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and green peas. However, variations of Igado may include additional ingredients like radish, ginger, and chili peppers (siling haba).
The dish is often compared to another beloved Filipino dish called Menudo. The similarity between the two lies in their ingredients and flavor profiles. However, the main difference lies in the type of sauce used. Menudo is typically cooked in tomato sauce, whereas Igado is prepared with a soy-vinegar base and occasionally includes fish sauce. This unique combination of flavors gives Igado a distinct taste, making it a delightful blend of Menudo and Adobo. If you want to try your hand at this dish, you can test our Igado Recipe:
Other Notes for an Igado Recipe
When preparing this dish, it is recommended to choose lean tenderloin as the preferred meat, but pork belly or Boston butt can be used as alternatives if you prefer a fattier cut. To ensure even cooking, it is important to cut the pork and liver into uniform strips. When making the vinegar marinade, allow it to boil uncovered and undisturbed for a few minutes before adding water to cook off the strong acidic taste.
To prevent the liver from becoming tough and chewy, add it during the last 4 to 5 minutes of cooking time. The natural “blood” in the liver will help thicken the sauce. Additionally, generously season the dish with freshly-cracked pepper, as it plays a significant role in the flavor profile. For those who enjoy some heat, chopped finger chilies (siling haba) can also be added.
If you want to try other Filipino pork dishes, check out our Pork Giniling Recipe and Humba Recipe. You can also test out our Pakistani Mixed Vegetable Curry and Mutton Leg Roast recipes if you want to explore other cuisines.
