Riñones al jerez are beef kidneys marinated in vinegar water, quickly browned in butter, and simmered in a sauce of dry sherry, beef broth, onion, garlic, and parsley, served with white rice or mashed potatoes. They take 150 minutes of preparation, mostly marinating, plus 25 minutes of cooking and serve 2 people.
It is a classic of Andalusian cooking, from the taverns of Jerez de la Frontera in Spain, with many adaptations across Latin America, including Chile.
How to Make Kidneys in Sherry?
The kidneys are cleaned and soaked in water with vinegar to soften their flavor, then browned quickly and finished in a lightly thickened sherry sauce. If you do not have sherry, a good dry Chilean white wine such as chardonnay or riesling works well.
Nutritional Information
Each serving of kidneys in sherry contains approximately 450 kcal, 35 g of protein, 25 g of total fat (7 g of saturated fat), 10 g of carbohydrates (2 g of sugars), and 800 mg of sodium. These values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes.
Homemade Riñones al Jerez Recipe
Preparation: 150 minutes
Cooking: 25 minutes
Servings: 2 people
Ingredients
- 500 g (1.1 lb) of beef kidneys
- 200 ml (7 fl oz) of dry sherry
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) of beef broth
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 3 tablespoons of oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon of flour
- 1/4 cup of vinegar
- Chopped parsley
- Fine salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Wash the kidneys in plenty of cold water, drain, and pat dry with paper towels. Cut them into small pieces and remove the fat inside. Place the pieces in a wide dish, cover with about 2 cm (3/4 in) of water, and add the vinegar. Marinate for about 2 hours.
- Drain, rinse, and pat dry with paper towels. In a large skillet, heat the butter and brown the kidney pieces quickly, without letting them cook through. Remove and set aside. In the same skillet, add the oil, heat over medium heat, and sauté the onion and garlic.
- Add salt to taste and the teaspoon of flour and cook for about 2 minutes over low heat, stirring constantly. Add the sherry, the beef broth diluted in a cup of hot water, the parsley, and the pepper, and cook while stirring.
- Once the sauce has thickened slightly, add the kidneys and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring, until they no longer release juice. Do not overcook, or they will turn tough. Serve right away with white rice or mashed potatoes.
Additional Tips
Soak them in milk
After the vinegar marinade, you can soak the kidneys in whole milk for 30 minutes to soften their flavor and remove strong odors.
Choose a good dry sherry
Use a quality dry fino or an amontillado for a deeper flavor, and avoid sweet or generic cooking sherries.
Thermomix version
Sauté the onion and garlic in the oil at 120 C, speed 1, add the kidneys and flour at 100 C on reverse spoon speed, then the sherry and broth for 10 minutes at 100 C.
| Original ingredient | Substitute | Ratio | Flavor note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry sherry | Dry white wine (chardonnay) | 1:1 | Less nutty |
| Beef kidneys | Lamb kidneys | 1:1 | Milder, more tender |
| Butter | Olive oil | 1:1 | Lighter |
| Flour | Cornstarch | 1/2 teaspoon | Glossier sauce |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why remove the internal fat?
The internal fat is tougher and can add bitter flavors, so each piece should be cleaned well before cooking.
2. What happens if the kidneys are overcooked?
Overcooking toughens the proteins, giving them a rubbery or dry texture.
3. What should I serve them with?
Besides white rice and mashed potatoes, they go well with sautéed potatoes, crusty bread, or fresh pasta.
4. How do I know kidneys are fresh?
Fresh kidneys have firm, compact flesh, a bright color, and a clean smell.
What Are Riñones al Jerez?
Riñones al jerez are a traditional Andalusian dish of kidneys in sherry sauce, a classic of Spanish offal cooking served in taverns and homes and adopted in several Latin American kitchens.
Nutritional Value of Kidneys
Beef kidneys are rich in iron and B vitamins, especially vitamin B2 and B12, and are a lean source of protein.
Did You Know?
The freshness of the kidney is key to a good result, and it can be recognized by its compact flesh and the firmness of its internal fat deposits.
