This simple beef tongue recipe results in tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat. The tasty mushroom onion sauce is optional, but it greatly enhances the dish.
Leftovers are excellent too, whether gently reheated in the microwave or served cold.
Nose-to-tail eating is the responsible way for meat-eaters to consume meat. And this particular cut makes it very palatable indeed. It's wonderfully flavorful and tender, and it's also surprisingly easy to make.
I learned to cook lengua from my friend Irina, a wonderful cook who makes many traditional recipes. My entire family loves it - yes, even the kids!
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Ingredients
You'll only need a few simple ingredients to turn a cow's tongue into a delicacy. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:
Beef tongue: Not readily available in U.S. supermarkets, I often special-order it at Whole Foods.
Spices: I use dried bay leaves, whole peppercorns, and whole allspice.
Butter: I love using creamy European butter, but any butter will be great.
Onions and mushrooms: As a lazy cook, I often use the food processor to chop onions, and I buy pre-sliced mushrooms.
Beef broth: Store-bought is fine - just check the ingredients list to make sure it looks OK.
Kosher salt and black pepper: If using fine salt, you should reduce the amount you use, or the dish could end up too salty.
Cornstarch: Just 1 teaspoon to thicken the sauce.
Instructions
Cooking beef tongue is easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:
You start by simmering the tongue with spices until tender, 3-4 hours.
Allow it to slightly cool, just until it's easier to handle, then remove the skin and slice it.
If making the sauce, cook the onions and mushrooms in butter, then add beef broth, kosher salt, and black pepper.
Add the sliced meat to this tasty sauce and simmer it for 30 minutes, until it's super tender. You can thicken the sauce with a little cornstarch if you'd like.
To serve, arrange slices on plates and top them with the sauce.
Expert tip
You'll want to let the cooked tongue cool a little before removing the skin. It's too hot to handle when you remove it from the saucepan.
But don't let it sit and cool for too long. You want to remove the skin as soon as you can. If it cools down too much, it will be very difficult to remove.
Frequently asked questions
Yes! I can see why some people find this difficult to accept. I suppose there is a certain reluctance unless you grew up eating internal organs.
But for someone who's used to eating the entire cow, not just steaks, it's really no more problematic than a piece of steak. It's just meat. And it's wonderful!
In fact, as far as I know, our modern Western culture is the first human culture to shun organ meats. Eating just muscle meat is such a wasteful way to consume animals.
If you're in the U.S., this can be quite a challenge. You'll probably need to ask your butcher to special order it for you.
Or go to a Hispanic market, where it's always available. Lately, I've been able to find it frozen at Whole Foods, so that's progress.
This is a muscular organ that works hard, so it's very tough when uncooked. Much like beef heart, you have two options when cooking it.
Either slice it very thin and cook it quickly, as they do in Korean barbecue. Or cook it low and slow, in a saucepan or in your slow cooker.
I like the second method better because it results in meat that literally melts when you put it in your mouth. So wonderfully tender!
And despite owning a slow cooker, I prefer to cook it on the stovetop in water. This is mostly because then I get a wonderful bonus - rich, flavorful homemade beef broth!
Oh yes. When properly cooked, it's amazingly tender and very flavorful. I consider it a delicacy, especially when served with my friend Irina's delicious onion-mushroom sauce.
In fact, I often think to myself that it's just as good as ribeye roast - and so much cheaper!
Serving suggestions
You can serve this dish with anything you would serve with steaks or roasts. Mashed cauliflower, roasted carrots, roasted asparagus... anything, really.
Storing and using leftovers
You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in a sealed container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them gently, covered, in the microwave on 50% power.
I actually really like them cold, sliced thin, and served with quick pickles, mustard, and fresh-cut veggies.
Related recipes
If you're interested in trying more offal recipes, here are a few good ones:
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Recipe Card
Beef Tongue (Cow Tongue) Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 beef tongue 2 or 3 pounds
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon whole allspice
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 medium onions chopped
- 8 ounces mushrooms sliced
- 2 cups beef broth reduced-sodium
- 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ½ teaspoon of any other salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional:
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch to thicken the sauce
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
Cook the tongue:
- Rinse the tongue and place it in a large stockpot. Add enough water to cover - I use 14 cups of water.
- Bring to a boil. This should take 20-30 minutes. When the water starts boiling, skim the foam off from the top with a spoon. Lower the heat to a simmer. Add the bay leaves, peppercorns, and allspice.
- Cook partially covered, turning the tongue every hour to ensure even cooking on all sides. Cook 3 hours for a 2-pound tongue and 4 hours for a 3-pound tongue.
- Remove the cooked tongue to a cutting board. Allow it to cool until it is easier to handle, and then use your hands to peel off the skin.
- Slice the tongue and serve with or without sauce.
To make the sauce:
- Heat a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and swirl to coat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, for about 10 minutes.
- Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring, until soft, for about 5-7 minutes.
- Add beef broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to a simmer, and cook, uncovered, for about 30 minutes to thicken the sauce. If using, sprinkle the sauce with chopped parsley. To serve, arrange tongue slices on plates and top them with the sauce. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- The nutrition info assumes a 2-pound tongue.
- I don't add salt to the cooking water to ensure the meat remains as tender as possible. If not using the sauce, sprinkle the cooked tongue slices with salt to taste.
- The cooking liquid can be used as broth. Salt it to taste.
- Let the cooked tongue cool a little before removing the skin. It's too hot to handle when you remove it from the saucepan. But don't let it sit and cool for too long. Remove the skin as soon as you can. If it cools down too much, the skin becomes difficult to remove.
- If you wish to thicken the sauce further, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of cold water and stir the mixture into the sauce. Cook for 1-2 more minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Keep the leftovers in the fridge, in a sealed container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them gently, covered, in the microwave at 50% power, or enjoy them cold like roast beef.
Nutrition per Serving
Made this Recipe?
If you made this recipe, please leave a comment sharing your experience with others. Thank you so much!
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Karl
Easy recipe and instructions, turned out perfect, sauce may need a little more salt or even better add extra salt and pepper to your dish. Kids enjoyed it also, the meat turned out like brisket.
Vered DeLeeuw
I'm so glad you and your family enjoyed this recipe, Karl. Thank you for the feedback.
Shampa mum
I am a mum, I am very careful with recipes I follow, as I do my own cooking daily or almost 4 times a week for my family. I have been conscious to serve healthy meals always, wholesome and absolutely tasty (well my family members chooses to eat at home 99% of the time, that is proof enough for me) I am the one who wants a break and want to eat out btw : )
Beef Tongue has been one of my favorite meat to eat. So your recipe is phenomenal, yes it is melt in your mouth and now our family favorite, ever since I found you 🙂 so thank you for your faithfulness in flavor and healthy wise chef ....I think I love you and your conscious mindful cooking style!
shampa mum
USA and India
Vered DeLeeuw
Thank you so much for this comment! Your family is lucky to have you.
Vered
Hi, can this be frozen when fully cooked?
Vered DeLeeuw
Hi Vered! It can be frozen in freezer bags or freezer-safe containers for up to three months. I suggest slicing the cooked tongue, freezing the slices, and separating layers with wax paper.
Mary Jane
I have just moved and after I bought the beef tongue my big pans are packed. Can I cook the tongue in a slow cooker?
Vered DeLeeuw
Yes! I often do. To cook beef tongue in the slow cooker:
1. Rinse the tongue and place it in the slow cooker pan.
2. Add the bay leaves, peppercorns, and allspice.
3. Add enough water to cover the tongue but ensure it doesn't reach the top, or it could bubble and spill over.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours.
5. Remove the cooked tongue to a cutting board. Allow it to cool until easier to handle, then remove the skin, as shown in the video, slice, and serve.