How to Cook Beef Heart in a Slow Cooker for a Nutritious and Budget-Friendly Meal

Beef heart is an underutilized and highly nutritious cut of meat that can be easily prepared in a slow cooker. While the thought of eating organ meats may seem unappealing to some, beef heart has a very mild flavor and tender texture when cooked properly. It’s an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals for a fraction of the cost of conventional cuts of meat In this detailed guide, we’ll walk through how to cook beef heart in a slow cooker, as well as discuss the benefits and best practices for including it in your diet

While organ meats like liver or kidneys can have an overly strong flavor for some palates, beef heart is surprisingly mild and versatile. When braised in a slow cooker, it becomes fork-tender and develops a rich, meaty flavor. Many compare it to a pot roast in both texture and taste.

Beef heart is also one of the most nutritious cuts of meat available. It is extremely high in CoQ10, an antioxidant that supports heart health and energy levels. It also contains high amounts of vitamins like folate, niacin, vitamin B12, iron, zinc, selenium, and phosphorus. Beef heart has more CoQ10 than liver and other organ meats, making it a powerhouse addition to your diet.

Cooking beef heart requires very little active time, but it does need several hours in the slow cooker to become tender. This makes it a perfect set-it-and-forget it meal. The preparation is also straightforward – simply trim the heart, season it, add some vegetables, and let the slow cooker work its magic.

Including beef heart in meals like stews, soups, and braised dishes is an easy and budget-friendly way to get more nutrition into your diet. While the initial look of a whole heart may be intimidating, it is simple to turn it into a delicious and healthy dinner with the help of a slow cooker.

Step-By-Step Instructions for Cooking Beef Heart in a Slow Cooker

Follow these simple steps for braising tender, flavorful beef heart in a slow cooker:

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 whole beef heart (3-4 lbs)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup beef broth or stock
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Rinse the beef heart under cold water and pat dry, Trim off any visible fat or connective tissue

2. Cut the heart in half lengthwise, then slice each half into 1-inch thick pieces. Cutting the meat into smaller pieces will help it cook more quickly and evenly.

3. Heat the olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches if needed, sear the beef heart pieces for 1-2 minutes per side until well browned.

4. Place the seared beef heart pieces into the slow cooker and top with the onions and garlic.

5. Whisk together the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, thyme, and a generous amount of salt and pepper. Pour the broth mixture over the beef heart.

6. Cook on low heat for 7-8 hours, or high heat for 4-5 hours, until the beef heart is very tender when pierced with a fork.

7. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Shred or cut the beef heart into bite-sized pieces if desired.

8. Serve immediately, or let cool in the refrigerator and store for later use in meals and sandwiches throughout the week.

Tips for the Best Results:

• Choose a high-quality pasture-raised beef heart for maximum nutrition.

• Brown the beef heart well in the skillet to boost flavor before slow cooking.

• Cut into uniform 1-inch pieces so it cooks evenly.

• Add root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and parsnips during the last 2 hours of cooking if desired.

• Shred the cooked heart with two forks for use in tacos, sandwiches, soups, and casseroles.

• Freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Top Recipe Ideas for Putting Slow Cooker Beef Heart to Use

Once you’ve cooked beef heart in the slow cooker, there are endless quick and delicious ways to put it to use in meals:

• Beef Heart Tacos – Shred the cooked heart and serve in warmed corn tortillas with sliced radishes, cilantro, lime wedges, and your favorite hot sauce.

• Hearty Beef Heart Stew – Chop carrots, potatoes, and celery and simmer in the braising liquid for a comforting one-pot meal.

• Italian Beef Sandwiches – Pile shredded heart on crusty rolls and top with sauteed bell peppers, provolone, and zesty giardiniera.

• Beef Heart Hash – Crisp diced potatoes in a skillet then add shredded heart, peppers, and a fried egg for a satisfying breakfast.

• Shepherd’s Pie – Layer cooked beef heart and vegetables in a baking dish, top with mashed potatoes, and bake until hot and bubbly.

• Beef Heart Chili – Cook kidney or black beans with the shredded beef heart, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and chili powder.

Don’t be afraid to get creative and incorporate beef heart into your usual repertoire of dinners and dishes. Its texture lends itself well to pasta bakes, soups, salads, sandwiches, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Beef Heart

Is beef heart tough?

Beef heart can be tough if improperly cooked. The key is slow braising with moist heat to gradually break down the muscle fibers. With 6-8 hours in a slow cooker, beef heart transforms into fork-tender meat with a rich beefy flavor.

What’s the best way to cook beef heart?

Slow cooking, either braised as a pot roast or shredded in stews, are the top methods for cooking beef heart. The gentle heat and ample cooking time is essential to tenderizing while still retaining moisture. Roasting in the oven can also work if sliced thin. Avoid grilling or pan frying beef heart unless cut thinly.

How do I remove the membranes and fat from beef heart?

Use a sharp knife to trim away any hard exterior fat and the thin membrane covering the heart. You’ll also want to slice out the valves and arteries inside. Work slowly and carefully to remove the undesirable bits without wasting good meat.

Is beef heart gamey tasting?

While other organ meats like liver can have very strong, pronounced flavors, beef heart is relatively mild. When thoroughly cooked, it has a similar taste to pot roast or chuck steak. The rich, meaty flavor pairs well with herbs and seasonings.

Is beef heart healthy?

Yes, beef heart is one of the most nutritious cuts of meat available. It is high in protein, CoQ10, B vitamins like folate and B12, selenium, zinc, iron, and phosphorus. Enjoying organ meats like heart provides health benefits not found in conventional muscle meats.

Conclusion

Cooking beef heart in a slow cooker results in tender, fall-apart meat that provides a boost of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. While it may look intimidating at first glance, beef heart is approachable and easy to incorporate into your diet. Simply trim, sear, and slow cook with flavorful spices and vegetables for a budget-friendly nutritional powerhouse. With its mild flavor and meaty texture, beef heart can be used just like pot roasts or chuck roasts in all your favorite dishes. Give this overlooked cut of meat a try! Your body and wallet will thank you.