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    Home » Meat Recipes » Chopped Liver

    Chopped Liver

    Last updated: Apr 29, 2023 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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    Chopped liver, the Jewish version of chicken liver pâté, may not be as refined, but it's wonderfully flavorful and just as easy to make in your food processor.  

    It takes just 20 minutes to make, but it tastes best after a short rest in the fridge. So make sure to make it a couple of hours in advance.

    Chopped liver served in a white bowl with a spoon.

    I might be in the minority here, but I love chicken liver. I like sauteed chicken livers topped with sauteed onions. And I also like them chopped or made into a pâté.

    Chopped liver is, I suppose, the Jewish version of chicken liver pâté. It’s simpler, heartier, less refined, and just as important (for observant Jewish people), it's kosher because it doesn't contain butter or cream.

    I like both! I do appreciate the delicate texture and flavor of pâté. But I also love the more pronounced, bolder flavor of the Jewish version.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • Chopped Liver Instructions
    • Expert tip
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storing Leftovers
    • Related recipes
    • Recipe Card

    Ingredients

    Here's an overview of the ingredients you'll need to make this recipe. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below.

    • Fresh chicken livers: I usually get them at the meat counter at Whole Foods. They are widely available in U.S. supermarkets as well.
    • Hard-boiled eggs: These need to be hard-boiled, not medium-boiled. So if you follow this recipe for how to make hard-boiled eggs, leave them in hot water for 12 minutes.
    • Extra-virgin olive oil: The traditional recipe is made with chicken fat. This ensures that the dish keeps Jewish Kashrut laws and does not mix meat and dairy. I prefer to use extra-virgin olive oil.
    • Onion: Chop it finely. This is a very important ingredient - it's responsible for the dish's bold flavor. It's used here in much larger quantities than those used in a typical pâté.
    • Minced garlic: It's best to use fresh minced garlic, though sometimes I use garlic powder instead. Garlic is not usually included in traditional recipes, but I like the flavor it adds.
    • Kosher salt and black pepper: If using fine salt, you should reduce the amount you use by half, or the dish could end up too salty.
    The ingredients needed to make chopped liver.

    Variations

    • Rather than using olive oil as I do, you can go the traditional route and use chicken fat (schmaltz in Yiddish). Ghee is another tasty option.
    • Add more spices to the dish - just a pinch of them. Good options that I tried and liked include smoked paprika and cumin.

    Chopped Liver Instructions

    If you have a food processor, This recipe is as easy as can be! Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:

    • Cook the onions and garlic in olive oil. Transfer them to your food processor along with hard-boiled eggs. (Photos 1-2).
    • Add more olive oil to the skillet and fry the livers. Don't overcook them! (Photos 3-4).
    • Transfer the skillet's contents, including the oil, to the food processor. Add the salt and pepper and process just until smooth. (Photos 5-6).
    • Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.
    A six-photo collage showing the steps for making chopped liver.

    Expert tip

    Make sure not to overcook the chicken livers. Overcooked livers are dry and mealy. Perfectly cooked ones are tender and flavorful, slightly sweet in fact.

    Although it should be noted that the CDC says we should cook chicken livers to an internal temperature of 165°F. 

    Frequently asked questions

    What does chopped liver taste like?

    It has a rich, deep flavor and smooth texture. It's very similar to pâté. It gets a lot of its flavor from caramelized onions and from the fact that it's high in fat.

    Is it the same as pâté?

    They're similar, but chopped liver is made with lots more onions, hard-boiled eggs, and chicken fat; while pâté is made with a small amount of onions or shallots, butter, cream, and often a bit of alcohol such as brandy.

    Pâté is certainly more refined, both in terms of flavor and in terms of texture. But both are delicious!

    Is chicken liver the same as beef liver?

    They're actually very different. Chicken liver is considerably milder in its flavor than beef liver, which is very strong-flavored (even calf's liver which is milder).

    Chicken liver also has a softer texture. If one would like to try livers for the first time and is hesitant, chicken is probably the way to go.

    Serving Suggestions

    This tasty liver spread is wonderful on toast or on Matzoh for Passover. For the low-carb crowd, it's really good on a toasted low-carb English muffin, thick slices of almond flour bread, or almond flour crackers.

    I often serve it with crudites and use the fresh-cut vegetables to scoop it out.

    This dish is traditionally served as an appetizer on Jewish holidays. My grandma used to make it for Rosh HaShanah and for Passover.

    But I just make it whenever I'm in the mood, and I often serve it as our main course, alongside some quick pickles, stuffed olives, and crudites.

    Storing Leftovers

    Chopped liver tastes best after it's had a chance to rest in the fridge, covered, for a few hours, allowing the flavors to meld. But it doesn't keep long in the fridge.

    Plan to make it the day you serve it, a few hours ahead, and then finish it within a day or two. Store it in the fridge in an airtight container.

    You can also freeze it, although it will lose some of its creaminess. After defrosting, try mixing in a little more olive oil, and mix it well so that it becomes fluffier.

    Chopped liver served in a white bowl with a spoon, topped with parsley.

    Related recipes

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    Recipe Card

    Chopped liver served in a bowl with a spoon.
    4.99 from 107 votes
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    Chopped Liver Recipe

    This chopped liver recipe is made with extra-virgin olive oil, caramelized onions, and hard-boiled eggs. It's not as refined as chicken liver pate, but it's wonderfully flavorful.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time10 minutes mins
    Rest time2 hours hrs
    Total Time2 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Jewish
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 169kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw
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    Ingredients

    • 1 pound chicken livers
    • 3 large hard-boiled eggs halved
    • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
    • 1 large onion finely chopped (8 oz)
    • 1 tablespoon fresh garlic minced
    • 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ½ teaspoon of fine salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions

    • Place the chicken livers on paper towels to drain. Place the eggs in your food processor bowl.
    • Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large 12-inch skillet. Add the chopped onion and fry until golden, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes.
    • Add the garlic and cook for a few more seconds, just until no longer raw. Using a spatula, transfer the skillet contents, including any remaining oil, to the food processor.
    • Add 2 more tablespoons of oil to the skillet. Add the chicken livers and cook them over medium heat (not higher or they could burst) until brown on the outside and barely pink on the inside, about 3 minutes per side. Overcooked livers are dry and grainy.*
    • Again, use the spatula to transfer the skillet contents, including the livers, the oil, and any tasty bits left on the bottom of the skillet, to the food processor.
    • Add the salt and pepper. Process briefly, about 30 seconds, stopping once to scrape the sides and bottom with a spatula. You don't want the chopped liver to be as smooth as a liver pate. It should have a bit more texture to it.
    • Transfer the chopped liver to a serving dish. Cover and keep in the fridge for at least two hours, allowing the flavors to meld. Don’t eat it when still warm! It won't be very good. It needs time to develop its deep flavor. Its flavor, as well as its texture, greatly improves after a rest in the fridge.

    Video

    Notes

    You can trim the white connective tissue and fat from the livers. Although I do this when making sauteed livers, I don't bother doing it when making this recipe. I find that processing the livers in the food processor takes care of any difficult-to-chew bits. 
    *The CDC says we should cook chicken livers to an internal temperature of 165°F. 
    Chopped liver tastes best after it's had a chance to rest in the fridge, covered, for a few hours, allowing the flavors to meld. But it doesn't keep long in the fridge. Plan to make it the day you serve it, a few hours ahead, and then finish it within a day or two. Store it in the fridge in an airtight container.
     

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    Nutrition per Serving

    Serving: 3oz | Calories: 169kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 204mg | Sugar: 1g
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    DisclaimersMost of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

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    About the Author

    Vered Deleeuw Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

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    Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered DeLeeuw. It features real-food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.


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