Did you know that kidneys, hearts, and other organ meats can be nutritionally rich and incredibly tasty?
While organ meats may not appear in many American or Americanized recipes, these cuts are tasty and viable and are often included in recipes from around the world.
After all, if you’ve ever had beef cheek barbacoa tacos, you know these meats can be tender and flavorful. They also offer a slightly different but still incredibly tasty flavor profile.
Organ meats are highly cost-effective, even when bought farm fresh. When you’re trying to save money, it’s hard to go wrong with these cuts of meat.
Here are a few tips for incorporating organ meat into your diet.
#1) Use Recipes You Already Know
Did you know you can cook a beef heart exactly the same way you’d cook a beef roast? Or that you can turn a tongue into taco meat once you peel it and slow-cook it? You can also blend kidneys with ground beef and use them like you’d use any other recipe.
Or you can throw organ meats into soups. Incidentally, if you’ve been to any Pho shop in Houston, you’ve probably already tried and liked some organ meats.
In fact, we recommend starting here, as it will help you overcome any trepidation you may have about eating this type of meat.
#2) Know When to Poach
Sweetbreads are wonderful when poached. You use the same process to poach an egg, then pan-sear them in butter with your favorite veggies and herbs. Throw the result over rice and enjoy a healthy, tasty dinner.
What do they taste like? It’s a cliche, but some people say sweetbreads taste like chicken.
#3) Soak Before Cooking
Some organ meats have a strong flavor that some people find unpleasant. You can handle this issue by soaking the meat before you cook it.
You may have heard of soaking liver in milk, but you can also use bone broth, vinegar, wine, butter, and heavy cream.
#4) Use These Recipes
Many Americans are beginning to re-discover organ meat, praising its nutritional content and sustainability. After all, nothing could be more responsible than using every part of the cow.
Thus, many websites offer numerous recipes. Here are a few.
These are just a few of the many options on offer.
Order Organ Meat Today
Get organ meat when you put down your deposit on a cow, half cow, whole cow, or quarter of a cow. Or order separately for $10 a pound. Let us know if you cook something with it and love it!