Beef tongue is an underrated cut of meat that, when prepared correctly, becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender and incredibly flavorful. This recipe will show you how to cook beef tongue to perfection using simple ingredients, making it a delicious dish suitable for tacos, sandwiches, or served with a side of vegetables.
Beef Tongue Recipe Perfect For Mexican Tacos
4
servings15
minutes3
hours347
kcal3
hours15
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
1 1 beef tongue
1 1 onion
4 4 garlic cloves
2 2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon salt
Water (enough to cover the tongue in the pot)
2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons olive oil
Equipment
Large pot with lid- Tongs
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Frying pan (optional, for searing)
Directions
- Rinse the beef tongue under cold water to clean it. Pat it dry with a paper towel.
- In a large pot, place the tongue along with the halved onion, garlic cloves, bay leaves, peppercorns, and salt.
- Cover the tongue completely with water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer.
- Cover the pot and let it cook for 2.5 to 3 hours or until the tongue is tender when pierced with a fork.
- Once the tongue is fully cooked, remove it from the pot and allow it to cool slightly.
- Using a sharp knife, make a small incision in the thick outer skin of the tongue. Peel off the skin (it should come off easily). Discard the skin.
- After peeling, slice the beef tongue into thin pieces (about 1/4 inch or 0.6 cm thick). The slices should be tender and easy to cut through.
- For added flavor and texture, heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Add the tongue slices and sear for about 2 minutes per side, until lightly browned.
- Serve the beef tongue slices in warm tortillas for tacos or on toasted bread rolls for sandwiches. Add your favorite toppings such as cilantro, onions, salsa, and a squeeze of lime.
Notes
- To reduce cooking time, you can use a pressure cooker. Cook the tongue for about 1.5 hours on high pressure.
- The cooking broth is rich and flavorful. Use it to make soups or as a base for other dishes.
What does beef tongue taste like?
Beef tongue has a mild, rich beefy flavor and a very tender texture when cooked properly. It’s often compared to other cuts of beef like brisket but with a softer, more melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
