Beef liver is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. Ounce for ounce, it packs more nutrients than almost any other food. It’s an excellent source of high-quality protein, vitamins A, B12, B6, folate and minerals like copper, iron, and zinc (1).
However, not all beef liver is created equal. The quality can vary drastically depending on the diet and lifestyle of the cattle it came from.
Buying high-quality beef liver is important, but it can also be tricky to find in stores. This article will walk you through exactly where to buy organic and pastured beef liver for maximum nutrition.
Why Choose Organic and Pastured Beef Liver?
There are a few key things that determine beef liver quality
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Organic Organic cattle are not given antibiotics or hormones and are fed an organic diet without pesticides. This helps avoid contaminants in the liver
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Pastured Pastured cattle are allowed to graze on open pastures. This provides exercise and a diverse natural diet that leads to better nutrition in the liver.
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Grass-fed: Grass-fed cattle eat mostly grass instead of grain. This results in higher omega-3s and antioxidants in the liver (2).
Organic, pastured, grass-fed beef liver provides the maximum nutrition and avoids toxins that can accumulate in the liver from poor cattle diets and living conditions.
Where to Buy Beef Liver Locally
Checking local grocery stores is a good starting point when searching for beef liver. However, finding high-quality liver can be hit or miss.
Here are some tips on which grocery stores may carry better quality beef liver:
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Whole Foods: Whole Foods has a good selection of organic and grass-fed meats. Check the butcher section for organic beef liver.
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Co-ops: Food co-ops often prioritize sourcing from local, sustainable farms. These are good spots to find pastured beef liver.
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Butcher Shops: Local butcher shops with their own meat sourcing tend to have better knowledge of where their meat comes from. Ask them for recommendations on high-quality beef liver options.
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Ethnic Markets: Asian and Hispanic markets sometimes carry more organ meats including liver. Check their offerings for fresh, thawed or even frozen liver.
If the selection is limited at your grocery store, consider asking them to order it. Having them source higher quality beef liver shows them customer demand.
Ordering Beef Liver Online
Ordering beef liver online opens up many more options for finding high-quality pastured, grass-fed and organic liver.
Here are some of the best places to buy beef liver online:
Online Butcher Boxes
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US Wellness Meats: 100% grass-fed beef liver burgers and pâtés from pastured cows.
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Butcher Box: 100% grass-fed beef liver from New Zealand.
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Crowd Cow: Pastured, grass-fed beef liver from family-owned farms.
Online Specialty Retailers
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Thrive Market: Organic, grass-fed beef liver.
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Tropical Traditions: Pastured beef liver from cows on a 100% grass diet.
Direct from Farms
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US Wellness Meats: Pastured beef liver from family farms.
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Panorama Organic Grass-Fed Meats: 100% grass-fed and finished beef liver.
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Morris Grassfed Beef: Grass-fed beef liver from family farms in California.
Grocery Delivery Services
Popular grocery delivery services like Instacart also provide the convenience of shipping beef liver straight to your door:
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Instacart: Order beef liver for delivery from local stores on Instacart.
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Amazon Fresh: Get beef liver delivered if Amazon Fresh is available in your area.
How to Buy Beef Liver from a Farm or Butcher
Visiting local farms and butchers in your area is a great way to buy quality beef liver. Here are some tips:
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Check online farm directories like Eat Wild and Local Harvest to find farms near you.
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Talk to the butcher at your grocery store and ask where they source their meat from. They may work directly with local farms.
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Look for farmers markets in your area and chat with meat vendors to find out about their products. Markets allow you to buy direct from local farms.
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Search online for terms like “grass-fed beef farm near me” or “pastured cattle farm [your city]”. Look for smaller family farms that raise cattle sustainably.
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Reach out to farms directly to ask if they sell beef liver. Many smaller farms don’t list all their offerings online.
The best beef liver will come direct from a farm or butcher that can verify how the cattle was raised and what it ate. Buying local also provides the freshest liver possible.
How Much Does Beef Liver Cost?
Beef liver is relatively affordable compared to other cuts of meat. Some average costs are:
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Conventional grocery store beef liver: $1-3 per pound
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Organic beef liver: $4-8 per pound
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Grass-fed/pastured beef liver: $6-12 per pound
You may pay a bit more for organic, grass-fed, or local farm beef liver compared to conventional options. But the significant improvement in nutrition and quality make it well worth the small splurge.
Buying larger quantities at once can also help cut down on cost. Freezing extra packs of liver to use later is very convenient.
Tips for Cooking and Eating Beef Liver
Beef liver has a unique, mineral-rich flavor that’s delicious when cooked properly. Here are some tips:
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Choose tender calf or beef liver. Avoid liver from older cows, which gets tougher.
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Opt for liver slices around 1⁄4-inch thick for even cooking.
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Cook liver lightly by sautéing, pan-frying, or grilling. Overcooking makes it rubbery.
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Pair liver with onions, bacon, mushrooms, or spices to balance the distinct flavor.
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Soak liver in milk or lemon juice for 30 minutes before cooking to mellow the taste.
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Puree raw or cooked liver into smoothies, dips, or patés for an easy way to eat it.
With a rich nutrient profile and affordable price, high-quality beef liver is a real superfood. Use this guide to sourcing the healthiest liver possible from local stores, online retailers, farms and butchers. Your body will reap the benefits of all its amazing nutrients.
References
Beef Liver Near MeBuy your favorite Beef Liver online with Instacart. Order Beef Liver from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
- Turning on notifications for the Instacart app
- Keeping an eye out for text messages and phone calls from your Instacart shopper
- Leaving helpful instructions for parking, gate codes, or other clues to find your home.
- Delivery fees start at $3.99 for same-day orders over $35. Fees vary for one-hour deliveries, club store deliveries, and deliveries under $35.
- Service fees vary and are subject to change based on factors like location and the number and types of items in your cart. Orders containing alcohol have a separate service fee.
- Tipping is optional but encouraged for delivery orders. It’s a great way to show your shopper appreciation and recognition for excellent service. 100% of your tip goes directly to the shopper who delivers your order.
With an optional Instacart+ membership, you can get $0 delivery fees* on every order over $35. *Service fees apply. Instacart pickup cost:
- There may be a “pickup fee” (equivalent to a delivery fee for pickup orders) on your pick up order that is typically $1.99 for non-Instacart+ members. Instacart+ membership waives this like it would a delivery fee.
- Pick up orders have no service fees, regardless of non-Instacart+ or Instacart+ membership.
- Find Best Match: By default, your shopper will use their best judgement to pick a replacement for your item.
- Pick Specific Replacement: You can pick a specific alternative for the shopper to purchase if your first choice is out-of-stock.
- Dont Replace: For items you’d rather not replace, choose “Dont replace” to get a refund if the item is out of stock.
- Missing items
- Incorrect items
- Damaged items
- Poor replacements
- Early/late orders
If an order never came, or you get someone else’s order, you can reach out to Instacart Customer Experience. Yes! You can get Beef Liver products delivered same-day in as fast as one hour from stores near you using the Instacart app or website.
Beef Organ Supplements: Miracle or Marketing Hype?
FAQ
Can you get beef liver at the grocery store?
One of the most convenient places to buy beef liver is at your local supermarket or grocery store. Many supermarkets carry beef liver in their meat departments, often pre-packaged and ready to go.
Can you buy beef liver from a butcher?
Product description. Our whole beef or ox liver, from heritage breed cattle slow-grown on lush Yorkshire pastures, is prepared unsliced by our butchery team. Perfect for home slicing and pan-frying with sage and garlic, or seared and roasted whole, best served pink for optimal texture and flavour.
How much is 1 pound of beef liver?
$4.99 /lb. Avg. 1 lb. Sliced liver portions.
Is beef liver good for you?
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WebMDhttps://www.webmd.comIs Eating Liver Good for You? Benefits and Risks – WebMDSep 28, 2023 — Liver is one of the most nutritionally dense foods on the planet, with significant amounts of iron, riboflavin, vitamin B12, vitamin A, and copper.
