Beef Tongue Recipe
Equipment
- Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 Beef Tongue
- Aromatics for making broth, such as onion, carrots, celery, garlic, scallions, bay leaf, etc
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Filtered Water to fill the pot
- 1-2 tbsp Butter or Oil
- 2-3 Zucchinis medium, chopped
- 3 Tomatoes medium, chopped
- 2 Onions medium, chopped
Instructions
- Place tongue, aromatics and salt and pepper into a pot or pressure cooker. Fill will water and cook on high pressure for ~1 hour (if using a regular pot, cook for 2 hours).
- Once the tongue has finished pressure cooking, remove from the pressure cooker and allow it to rest for a moment to cool. Then use a sharp knife to help peel off the tough white outer skin. You’ll know if it has boiled enough when the skin comes off easily. Cut into chunks and set aside.
- Strain beef stock through a mesh sieve and set aside
- Heat butter in a deep skillet. Saute onions until soft, de-glazing with stock as needed.
- Once onions are tender, add in zucchinis and tomatoes and continue stewing until 80% cooked. Season with salt (and any other spices you’d like) to taste.
- Add in cubed beef tongue. Cook covered, adding broth as needed, until vegetables are completely soft and beef tongue is exceptionally tender. If there is too much liquid left at this point, simmer without a lid for a few minutes to evaporate some liquid.
- Serve over rice or quinoa and enjoy!
Video
Frequently Asked Questions about Beef Tongue:
How do you clean beef tongue?
Boiling it loosens the outer skin (with all the bumpy taste buds) and makes it simple to peel off.
Do you peel beef tongue before cooking?
As above, the tough outer skin comes off after boiling, which also softens the meat. Once it’s peeled clean, you can continue to cook it by stewing, boiling, frying, etc.
Can you put beef tongue straight into a slow cooker or pressure cooker?
I put this beef tongue straight into the pressure cooker while it was still frozen! Same goes for a slow cooker. The only thing to keep in mind is if it will fit in the pot while frozen (this was a small sized tongue but some of them can be massive!)
What else can I make with beef tongue?
Beef tongue can be served hot or cold, and is a versatile organ meat that can replace shredded meats or cold cuts in many recipes! Beef tongue tacos are a popular street food in Mexico, and beef tongue pastrami can be used in both hot and cold sandwiches.
Is tongue more expensive than other cuts of beef?
This depends entirely on the demand in your area for beef tongue, but generally speaking beef tongue is considered offal (organ meats) and is typically cheaper than other cuts than steak or roast. However, beef tongue recipes generally require a few additional steps (to boil and peel the tongue) prior to continuing to cook it.
What does beef tongue taste like?
Beef tongue has a similar flavour profile to other cuts of beef, with a distinct sweet flavour profile (especially the broth). It has a pleasant texture, and, depending on how it is cooked, can be shredded, sliced, stewed, etc.
Is Cow Tongue Safe to Eat?
Yes! Cow tongue is safe to eat and is a traditional food in many cultures around the world. Cow tongue is typically cooked by boiling or braising it until it is tender, and it can be served in a variety of dishes, including stews, soups, and sandwiches. Some people also enjoy eating cow tongue thinly sliced and served as a type of charcuterie.
Can you Freeze Beef Tongue?
Yes, cow tongue can be frozen for later use. To freeze cow tongue, place it in a resealable plastic bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible from the bag to prevent freezer burn.
How long to cook beef tongue in pressure cooker or Instant Pot?
In my Instant Pot beef tongue recipe, I recommend a cooking time of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
