Where to Buy Beef Tongue

Beef tongue is an underrated and often overlooked cut of meat that can be a delicious addition to various dishes when prepared properly. While it may not be as popular as common cuts like steak or ground beef, beef tongue has a unique texture and robust flavor that is worth seeking out. If you are looking to experiment with new and different cuts of meat, here are some tips on where to buy beef tongue and how to cook it.

What is Beef Tongue?

Beef tongue is literally the tongue muscle of a cow. It is a long, flat cut of meat that is comprised of thin muscle fibers and connective tissue. When cooked low and slow, the connective tissue breaks down into gelatin which gives beef tongue its characteristic meltingly tender texture. The meat has a unique grainy appearance when sliced that comes from the various muscle bundles in the tongue.

Beef tongue has a very deep beefy and slightly minerally flavor. It adapts well to various seasonings and pairs nicely with acidic ingredients like citrus tomatoes or horseradish which help cut through the rich meatiness. While often served cold in sandwiches or salads, beef tongue can also be cooked in stews, braised, grilled or sautéed. When buying beef tongue, it is often sold peeled, meaning the coarse outer skin has been removed, leaving just the tender pink interior meat.

Where to Find Beef Tongue

Beef tongue can be found at most meat markets, butcher shops and well-stocked grocery stores, but you may have to ask your butcher to order or prepare it for you. Here are some of the best places to buy fresh beef tongue:

• Butcher Shops or Meat Markets: A local butcher is one of the best options for finding quality beef tongue. They can custom cut tongue to your specifications and likely have experience preparing it. Many butchers source from local farms as well.

• Ethnic Grocery Stores: Mexican, Asian and Halal markets frequently carry beef tongue since it is used in the cuisines of various cultures. Check the meat counter or frozen section.

• Costco or Restaurant Supply Stores: Beef tongue can be purchased in bulk from warehouse stores like Costco or restaurant supply shops, which sell large cuts or whole tongues.

• Online Meat Delivery: Specialty meat purveyors like Crowd Cow allow you to order beef tongue online and have it shipped. This provides access to tongue even if local shops don’t carry it.

When purchasing beef tongue, look for tongues that are fresh, bright pink and without any discoloration. Whole tongues are long tapered cuts that weigh around 3-5 pounds. Packaged sliced tongue should have vibrant rosy slices.

How to Cook Beef Tongue

While eating a whole beef tongue may seem intimidating, the meat is delicious when prepared properly. Here are some simple methods for cooking beef tongue at home:

• Slow Cook or Braise Cooking tongue low and slow helps break down connective tissue. Braise peeled tongue in flavorful liquid like broth wine or barbecue sauce for 3-4 hours until fork tender.

• Boil then Roast: Boiling tongue for 1-2 hours until just tender then roasting in the oven allows the exterior to get crusty and brown. Slice thin for sandwiches.

• Grill or Pan Sear: Chilled pre-cooked tongue can be quickly seared in a hot pan or on the grill to heat through and get crispy edges. Ideal for tacos.

• ** Stew or Soup:** Dice raw tongue and add to stews, chili or soups. The meat will become tender during long simmering.

Always cook tongue to an internal temperature of at least 160°F for food safety. Chilled leftover tongue keeps for up to one week and is great for quick sandwiches or salads.

Tips for Preparing Beef Tongue

When working with raw beef tongue, there are a few tips to keep in mind:

• If using a whole tongue, trim off the fat, glands and any exterior membranes before cooking. This can be done with a sharp knife before or after peeling.

• To peel, place the raw tongue in simmering water for 1-2 minutes then transfer to ice water. This allows the coarse skin to detach more easily. Use a paring knife to peel away the skin.

• Season the peeled tongue aggressively with salt and pepper or other spices like garlic, onion and oregano. The meat benefits from strong seasoning.

• Cook tongue in flavorful liquid to impart more taste. Try broth, wine, bbq sauce, tomatoes or a Mexican adobo sauce.

• Chill cooked tongue in the cooking liquid before slicing to keep it moist. Thin slices are ideal for sandwiches while thicker cuts work for sauteeing.

With its mild beefiness and unique texture, beef tongue can be a tasty new protein to add to your dinner rotation. Look for it at specialty butchers or ethnic grocers and cook low and slow to appreciate its full flavor and tender texture. By seeking out this underappreciated cut, you may just find a new favorite weeknight dinner option.