Beef tongue is an exceptionally delicious yet underrated cut of meat that can add unique flavor and texture to many dishes. However it can be difficult to find in regular grocery stores. This guide will provide tips on where you can buy beef tongue and how to choose a high-quality product.
What is Beef Tongue?
Beef tongue is meat from the tongue of a cow It has a unique taste and texture
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Flavor is rich, beefy, and slightly minerally More intense than regular cuts of beef
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Texture is tender when properly prepared. It contains both muscle fibers and connective tissue so becomes very tender when braised.
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Appearance is pink with a bumpy top surface. Traditionally the skin is removed before cooking.
Beef tongue is excellent when braised, stewed, or used in tacos. It can also be sliced for cold preparations. When buying look for a fresh, moist tongue without unpleasant odors.
Where to Buy Beef Tongue
Finding high-quality beef tongue requires looking beyond regular supermarkets. Here are some of the best places to buy it:
Butcher Shops or Meat Markets
Traditional butcher shops or meat markets are the best source for beef tongue. A good butcher will stock fresh, high-quality whole tongues. They can also slice or dice it to your specifications. When buying, look for glistening, fresh cuts without unpleasant odors.
Ethnic Grocery Stores
Mexican, Asian, and other ethnic markets frequently stock beef tongue. Depending on the store, it may be frozen or fresh. Ask when it was processed to get the freshest possible tongue. These grocers are also likely to have pre-seasoned lengua tacos.
Costco
Many Costco locations sell whole beef tongue averaging 8 pounds. This is a very cost-effective way to buy fresh tongue. One tongue yields enough meat for multiple meals. Costco tongue receives high marks for freshness and quality. Check with your local warehouse for availability.
Online Retailers
Several online stores sell beef tongue, including:
- Rumba Meats
- D’Artagnan
- Porter Road
- Crowd Cow
Online retailers offer both whole tongues and slices. Shipping is overnight so the meat arrives as fresh as possible. Pre-sliced tongue is very convenient but more costly.
Local Farms or Ranches
Searching for “beef tongue near me” can connect you with local beef producers. Some small cattle farms and ranches will sell fresh tongue direct to consumers. Contact them to see if tongue is available when you want to cook it.
How Much to Buy?
One 8-pound beef tongue yields around 3 pounds of cooked, edible meat. A whole tongue is a smart choice for feeding a group. Otherwise, 1 pound is sufficient for recipes to serve 4 people.
When buying slices, estimate 4 to 6 ounces per person. So a 1-pound package provides 4 modest servings. Adjust amounts depending on the recipe and other ingredients.
How to Store Beef Tongue
Raw tongue has a refrigerator shelf life around 7 days. For longer storage, freeze it.
To store fresh tongue:
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Rinse under cool water and pat dry. Wrap in paper towels to absorb excess moisture.
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Place in a container or bag, removing as much air as possible.
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Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
To freeze:
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Double wrap in freezer-safe wrapping. This prevents freezer burn.
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Freeze for 2 to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
Cooked tongue will keep 4 to 5 days refrigerated. It can also be frozen for longer storage.
Preparing and Cooking Beef Tongue
Beef tongue requires long, moist cooking methods to become tender. Here are some techniques:
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Boiling: Boil tongue 45 minutes to 1 hour until very tender when pierced. Cool, peel, and use in recipes.
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Braising: Brown tongue, then braise in broth 2 to 3 hours until fork-tender. This adds lots of flavor.
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Slow cooker: Add tongue and broth to a slow cooker. Cook on low 8+ hours until fall-apart tender.
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Stewing: Brown tongue then simmer in a stew with vegetables and broth for 2 to 3 hours.
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Grilling: Parboil tongue until just tender, about 1 hour. Cool, slice, and grill to add flavor.
Sliced braised or boiled tongue is excellent in tacos, salads, sandwiches, and more. Try adding slices to beans, soups, and pasta dishes too. With its unique texture and flavor, beef tongue is a delicious addition to many recipes!
In Summary
While finding beef tongue requires looking beyond regular supermarkets, the effort provides a uniquely delicious meat. Specialty stores, Costco, online retailers, and local farms offer quality fresh or frozen tongue. One 8-pound tongue feeds multiple people. Look for fresh, moist tongue without unpleasant odors. Refrigerate up to one week or freeze for longer storage. Cooking with moist heat for 1 to 3 hours yields fork-tender beef tongue with a rich, meaty flavor. Including it in tacos, sandwiches, salads and other dishes lets you enjoy this underappreciated yet tasty cut of meat.
Beef Tongue Near MeBuy your favorite Beef Tongue online with Instacart. Order Beef Tongue from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
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What is Beef Tongue?
Briefly, this cut is just what it sounds like: a cow’s tongue. Depending on who you’re talking to, you may hear it called by many names — beef lengua (lengua means “tongue” in Spanish), lingua de bue in Italian, useol in Korean, or ox tongue, among others.
While it may be considered offal (a.k.a. organ meat), we think it’s the exact opposite of awful. Praised for its rich, buttery texture, this delicious cut is savored as a delicacy across global food traditions.
Cow tongue meat can also be prepared in dozens of ways including braising, roasting, boiling, grilling, or pickling. Whether it’s thinly sliced for spicy-sweet Korean BBQ, piled high on a juicy grilled ox tongue sandwich, or wrapped up in corn tortillas for savory tacos de lengua in Mexico, tongue meat offers a wide range of kitchen applications that any true beef lover will appreciate.
How to Properly Cook And Peel Beef Tongue #carnivorediet
FAQ
Does Costco sell beef tongue?
Beef Tongue, 8 lb avg wt | Costco.
What is another name for beef tongue?
Beef tongue (also known as neat’s tongue or ox tongue) is a cut of beef made of the tongue of a cow. It can be boiled, pickled, roasted or braised in sauce.
Can you still buy tongue?
Swaledale Ox Tongue is Always Fresh, Never Frozen®, butchered to order, vacuum-packed, and shipped in 100% recyclable packaging, arriving safely insulated and ready to enjoy.
Does Walmart sell beef tongue?
Rumba Meats® Beef Tongue (Lengua De Res), Fresh, 3.22-4.22 lbs. Rumba Meats® Beef Tongue (Lengua De Res), Fresh, 3.22-4.22 lbs.
Where can I buy beef tongue?
Buy your favorite Beef Tongue online with Instacart. Order Beef Tongue from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours. How many Beef Tongue products are available on Instacart? Currently, there are 34 Beef Tongue products available for same-day delivery or pickup on Instacart.
How do I get beef tongue products delivered?
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How tender is beef tongue?
It’s most commonly compared to the texture and flavor of tender shredded beef. When cooked low and slow, beef tongue becomes incredibly tender. The top beef tongue dish has to be tacos de lengua, but there are other great ways to enjoy it, such as in quesadillas, sandwiches, salads or sliced and served as a main dish on its own.
Should you buy beef tongue from a butcher?
The advantage of buying from a butcher is that you can inspect the meat personally before purchasing and get expert advice on preparation. While not as common as butcher shops, some grocery stores may carry beef tongue in their meat section. Check the freezer aisle, as frozen beef tongue is often more readily available.
How many beef tongue products are available for same-day delivery?
Currently, there are 34 Beef Tongue products available for same-day delivery or pickup on Instacart. How does Instacart same-day delivery work? It’s simple. Using the Instacart app or website, shop for products from your store of choice near you.
What is grassfed beef tongue?
An unusual delicacy that is gaining popularity, our grassfed beef tongue is a wonderfully tender and flavorful treat. Preparation is easy, just simmer the tongue until tender and then shred or slice to enjoy. With a flavor that is often compared to roast beef, it makes a great addition to soups, stir fry, or the classic Tacos De Lengua!