What is Beef Tongue Called? A Guide to This Unique Meat Cut

Beef tongue, sometimes referred to as ox tongue or neat’s tongue, is a unique cut of meat that comes from the tongue organ of cattle. This odd-looking piece of meat goes by many different names across cuisines worldwide.

Common Names for Beef Tongue

Here are some of the most common names for beef tongue:

• Beef tongue (English)
• Langue de boeuf (French)
• Rinderzunge (German)
• Lingua di manzo (Italian)
• Lengua de res (Spanish)

Some regional dialect names for beef tongue include

• Neat’s tongue
• Ox tongue
• Cow tongue

The Spanish term “lengua” is frequently used, especially when referring to beef tongue tacos or burritos.

Distinct Properties of Beef Tongue

Compared to more common beef cuts like ribeye or brisket beef tongue has some unique properties

• Composed almost entirely of muscle without much fat
• Grainy, dense texture requiring long cooking times
• Thin membrane or mucosa covering tongue must be peeled off
• High moisture content produces tender meat when braised or stewed

These distinctive traits make beef tongue well-suited for braises, stews, or other moist-heat cooking methods to render it tender. The peeled tongue has a firm, meaty texture when cooked.

International Uses for Beef Tongue

Beef tongue is applied in many cuisines around the world:

• Mexico: Lengua tacos and burritos with salsa
• USA: Tongue sandwiches with horseradish sauce
• France: Langue de boeuf with Madeira wine sauce
• Germany: Zungenpfeffer – tongue with capers and vinegar
• Russia: Russian salad with boiled beef tongue
• Philippines: Lengua with pancit noodles in stew

In these dishes and more, beef tongue adds hearty, savory flavor. It often benefits from strong seasonings and sauces that complement its richness.

Buying Fresh Beef Tongue

When purchasing beef tongue, look for:

• Bright red color without dry patches
• Firm, smooth texture with no sticky mucosa
• Fresh, clean scent with no odor
• Packaged in vacuum sealed pouch or wrap

For best results, use fresh tongue within 2 weeks of purchase. If the tongue didn’t come peeled, remove the membrane at home before cooking.

How to Cook Beef Tongue

Popular cooking methods for beef tongue include:

• Boiling – Submerge tongue in water and gently boil until tender, about 3 hours. Use broth for soups or stews.
• Simmering – Braise tongue in flavorful liquid like wine, tomatoes, or beer until fully cooked.
• Grilling – Parboil tongue briefly then finish over hot grill to add charred flavors.
• Roasting – Roast seasoned tongue in the oven alongside vegetables to make a pot roast.
• Pickling – Cure tongue in a brine solution for a few days to pickle it before serving.

Slow moist-heat techniques result in the most tender beef tongue with excellent texture. Adjust seasonings like onion, garlic, peppercorns, and bay leaf to complement the meaty tones.

With its unique grainy texture and bold flavor, beef tongue offers a tasty alternative to everyday beef cuts when cooked properly. Try this versatile meat in Mexico’s iconic tacos de lengua or Eastern Europe’s classic pickled tongue for a new culinary experience.

How to Clean and Prepare Beef Tongue

Proper preparation is key to cooking beef tongue correctly:

• Place whole tongue in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil.
• Gently simmer for 2-3 hours until very tender.
• Cool slightly, then peel off outer membrane.
• Remove any remaining fat, tissue, or bones with a knife.
• Slice, dice, or shred tongue as needed for recipes.
• Sauté, braise, grill, or simmer tongue pieces to heat through.

Be sure to cook beef tongue thoroughly since it contains tough muscle fibers that require ample time to break down. Well-cooked tongue should have a supple, velvety consistency.

Delicious Beef Tongue Recipe Ideas

Here are some tasty ways to serve beef tongue:

• Lengua Tacos – Shredded tongue, onion, cilantro, salsa on corn tortillas
• Tongue Sandwiches – Sliced tongue, mustard, pickles on rye bread
• Beef Tongue Stew – Braised tongue chunks, carrots, potatoes, broth
• Zungenpfeffer – Sliced tongue sauteed with capers, vinegar, parsley
• Lengua Barbacoa – Shredded tongue braised in spices and vinegar
• Beef Tongue Hash – Diced tongue pan-fried with onions and potatoes

With the right preparation, beef tongue can be transformed into a mouthwatering centerpiece for all kinds of global recipes. Don’t let its unassuming appearance deter you from trying this nutritious, flavorsome cut of meat.

Beef tongue goes by many names like ox tongue, cow tongue, or lengua depending on the region and language. When cooked properly using moist heat, this odd-looking cut becomes fork-tender with a distinct meaty quality. Braising, simmering, and boiling are the best cooking methods to soften the tough muscle fibers in beef tongue. Creative seasonings and international recipe ideas from tacos to stews allow the mild beefiness of tongue to shine. Once you get over any hesitancy about its peculiar shape, beef tongue offers a tasty, texturally intriguing alternative to everyday beef cuts.