Nutrition Diet: What is the Mexican hangover soup and how does it help?

October 5, 2025 •

4 min read

Menudo has long been a revered folk remedy in Mexican culture, traditionally served to aid recovery from a long night of revelry. So, what is the Mexican hangover soup? It is typically this hearty, tripe and hominy stew, though another popular option is pozole, a delicious stew made with pork and hominy.

Quick Summary

The Mexican hangover soup is menudo, a traditional, slow-cooked tripe and hominy stew with a rich, flavorful broth, or its alternative, pozole. These nourishing soups help combat dehydration and replenish nutrients lost during a long night of drinking.

Key Points

Menudo is the classic: The traditional Mexican hangover soup is menudo, a hearty stew made with beef tripe and hominy.
Pozole is a popular alternative: Many also consider pozole, a hominy and pork or chicken stew, an effective and delicious hangover remedy.
High in nutrients: The soups help replenish lost electrolytes and provide protein from meat and complex carbohydrates from hominy.
Rehydration is key: The hot broth aids in rehydrating the body, combating the dehydration caused by alcohol.
Customizable for relief: Both soups can be customized with fresh toppings like lime, cilantro, and onion, adding extra vitamins and flavor.
Flavor profile matters: Choose menudo for an intense, gamey, and often spicier flavor, or pozole for a milder, more comforting taste.

Menudo: The Classic Hangover Remedy

Menudo is the soup most famously associated with curing hangovers in Mexico. This rich, deeply flavored soup is made from beef tripe (a cow's stomach lining) and hominy, slow-cooked for hours in a red chili-based broth. It is a dish steeped in tradition, often prepared for communal gatherings, especially on New Year's Day, where it serves as both a celebratory meal and the perfect morning-after restorative. The tripe is typically cleaned, rinsed, and simmered for several hours until it becomes tender and has a distinctive, jelly-like texture.

The Nutritional Science Behind Menudo

While folklore long touted menudo's curative properties, its ingredients and preparation offer some tangible nutritional benefits that combat hangover symptoms. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it causes dehydration, a major contributor to headaches and fatigue. A hot, savory broth like menudo helps to rehydrate the body and replenish lost electrolytes and sodium. The tripe provides a good source of protein, which can help stabilize blood sugar and provide the body with essential amino acids. The hominy, a type of corn, offers complex carbohydrates that provide a steady release of energy and can help settle an upset stomach. The chiles in the broth can also help clear sinuses and stimulate circulation, further contributing to a feeling of rejuvenation.

Regional Variations of Menudo

Menudo's recipe varies across Mexico, leading to different regional styles.

Menudo Rojo: The red version is the most common, especially in northern Mexico. It gets its vibrant hue and spicy kick from dried red chiles, like guajillo and ancho.
Menudo Blanco: Popular in northwest Mexico, this version is prepared without the red chiles, resulting in a clearer, white broth.
Pancita: In central Mexico, the term "pancita" is often used for a similar dish, sometimes including different types of meat.

Pozole: Another Savory Alternative

Pozole is another cherished Mexican soup often served as a Sunday morning meal or a festive dish that doubles as a hangover cure. It is a hearty stew made with pork or chicken, large hominy kernels, and a rich broth. While pozole shares the use of hominy and a nourishing broth with menudo, its flavor and texture are distinct. It also comes in different variations based on the color of the broth.

Pozole's Hangover-Fighting Qualities

Like menudo, pozole's benefits for hangovers come from its high liquid content and nourishing ingredients. The broth provides crucial rehydration, while the hominy supplies carbohydrates for energy.

Red Pozole (Rojo): Made with a red chile sauce from puréed dried chiles, this version offers a warming and flavorful relief.
Green Pozole (Verde): A green broth made with tomatillos, green chiles, and cilantro provides a fresh, zesty flavor that can be gentler on the stomach.
White Pozole (Blanco): Similar to white menudo, this version is a simple, clear broth that diners can season themselves with added chili sauce.

The ability to load a bowl of pozole with fresh, crunchy toppings like shredded cabbage, radishes, cilantro, and lime adds a burst of freshness and extra vitamins.

Menudo vs. Pozole: A Comparison


Feature	Menudo	Pozole
Main Protein	Beef tripe (cow's stomach), sometimes with cow or pig's feet.	Pork or chicken.
Base Broth	Often a fiery red chili base, but can be white.	Can be red (from chiles), green (from tomatillos), or white.
Flavor Profile	Intense, rich, and gamey flavor due to the tripe.	Hearty, flavorful, but generally milder than menudo.
Spice Level	Often spicier, though adjustable.	Typically milder, but can be customized with toppings.
Texture	Chewy, jelly-like tripe and plump hominy.	Tender, pulled meat and soft hominy.
Hangover Relief	An intense, sensory-jolting remedy for severe hangovers.	A comforting, gentler, and nourishing option.

Making Your Own Mexican Hangover Soup

If you want to create your own soothing bowl of Menudo or Pozole, here are some key tips:

Sourcing Ingredients: Look for high-quality tripe and hominy at a Mexican market or a well-stocked butcher. Canned hominy is also a convenient and widely available option.
Preparation: Plan ahead, as menudo requires a long, slow simmer to get the tripe tender. Pozole also benefits from long cooking time to develop its rich broth.
Toppings are Crucial: Don't skip the garnishes. Fresh ingredients like diced onion, cilantro, radishes, and a squeeze of lime juice cut through the richness of the soup and add texture.
Listen to Your Body: While these soups are traditional remedies, everyone's body reacts differently. Start with a small, comforting bowl and increase your portion as you feel better.

Conclusion: The Right Potion for Your Ailment

The question of what is the Mexican hangover soup has two main answers, menudo and pozole, and the best choice ultimately depends on your personal preference and the severity of your symptoms. While neither is a scientifically proven medical cure, their deep-rooted tradition as comforting remedies is not without merit. Both offer a potent combination of hydration, essential nutrients, and a satisfying, flavorful experience that can help ease the morning-after misery. So the next time you find yourself with a "cruda," consider a warm bowl of either of these classic Mexican soups to help get you back on your feet.

For more detailed information on menudo, check out its entry on Wikipedia.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most traditional Mexican hangover soup is called menudo. A very popular alternative is pozole, a pork or chicken and hominy stew.

Menudo is a traditional Mexican soup made with beef tripe (cow's stomach), hominy (large corn kernels), and a flavorful broth often made with a red chile base.

While menudo is a folk remedy and not a medical cure, its properties can help alleviate hangover symptoms. The broth provides hydration and electrolytes, while the hominy and tripe offer nutrients and protein to settle the stomach.

Yes, pozole is widely regarded as a hangover cure in Mexico. Its nourishing broth, hominy, and meat help rehydrate and replenish the body.

The main difference is the meat and flavor profile. Menudo uses beef tripe and has a richer, gamier taste, while pozole uses pork or chicken and is generally milder. Both contain hominy.

Common toppings include chopped onion, cilantro, sliced radishes, fresh lime juice, dried oregano, and crushed red chiles. These additions enhance flavor and texture.

Menudo can be quite spicy, especially the red version (menudo rojo), which is made with dried red chiles. However, the level of spiciness can be adjusted to your preference.