The Ultimate Beef Liver Recipe - Paleo and Whole30 Compliant (2024)

If my previous Beef Liver recipe made me a believer, this new one just made me an real fan.

I simply can’t believe that I, as in “moi”, was sitting there, eating liver, and actually going “OMG YUM” with each and every bite.

And I’m not exaggerating in the least. This was genuinely, incredibly yummy.

The Ultimate Beef Liver Recipe - Paleo and Whole30 Compliant (1)

You see, when cooked right, beef liver is unbelievably tender and moist and juicy and almost velvety! It’s got a texture that’s simply unrivaled by any other cut of meat. So really, the trick is to cook it at very high temperature for a very short amount of time. The interior HAS to remain a little bit on the pink side.

Cook it too much and it becomes real tough and grainy, like shoe leather. Not what I’d call yummy.

Even the flavor seems to be affected when you cook it for too long…

No wonder, as a kid, I would be served liver with TONS of ketchup on the side(which I also happen to hate, by the way, so needless to say liver has never been a winner in my book!)

The Ultimate Beef Liver Recipe - Paleo and Whole30 Compliant (2)

But now that I am learning how to prepare nature’s most potent superfood the proper way, I’m really learning to enjoy it.

I say learning because, having despised liver all my life, my brain still wants to voice its opinion and goes “Ewwww, but it’s LIVER!” every time I think about having it, which always leads to this big argument between us where I have to convince it that we really do like it after all.

Rough, I know.

But with a little coaxing, I know that I’ll eventually get it to put its guard down and forget all about its old beliefs and misconceptions on liver.

Our brains are highly adaptable little things, you know.Nothing a little bit of “reprogramming” won’t fix!

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I know now that organ meats, and especially liver, are extremely nutrient dense foods that truly deserve to be made a little bit of room on our dining plate a few times a week.

I’m not sure I’m quite there yet, but I sure intend on eating liver way more often than I used to (which was never, so that’s not hard to beat!)

With recipes such as this one, it will be a lot easier for me to get there.

The Ultimate Beef Liver Recipe - Paleo and Whole30 Compliant (4)

Print RecipeRate this Recipe

4.34 from 15 votes

Beef Liver with Fig, Bacon and Caramelized Onion Compote

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Marinating time: 12 hours hours

Total Time: 12 hours hours 40 minutes minutes

Served with a tasty Fig, Bacon and Caramelized Onion Compote, this Beef Liver recipe will make you a believer; it is as delicious as it is nutritious.

Servings: 2

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a non-reactive sealable container, marinate the beef liver in lemon juice for at least 8 hours (or up to 24 hours). Yes, that’s in the refrigerator!

  • In a cold, large heavy skillet (cast iron preferred) set over medium heat, cook the bacon until nice and crispy.

  • While the bacon is cooking, rinse the beef liver slices under running water and pat them dry.

  • In a shallow bowl or plate, combine the arrowroot flour, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly with a whisk until very well combined.

  • Dredge the liver slices in the arrowroot mixture and shake well to remove any excess. Set aside in a plate until bacon is done cooking.

  • When bacon is nice and crispy, remove it to a plate with a slotted spoon, and set aside. Pour the bacon fat into a small bowl but leave about 2 tablespoons in the pan. Put the skillet back over high heat.

  • When the pan is really nice an hot, add the liver slices and sear for about 45 seconds to a minute per side, just long enough for them to get a beautiful dark brown and crispy exterior. You might have to work in batches, depending on the size of your skillet.

  • Remove the liver to a plate, cover loosely to keep it warm while you work on the onion compote. Put your pan back over the heat source and lower heat to medium-high; add about half the remaining bacon fat and throw the sliced onions right in.

  • Let the onions caramelize for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. When the onions have taken a nice golden coloration, add the remaining bacon fat and the sliced mushrooms. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes, until the mushrooms become soft and slightly golden.

  • Add figs, salt, pepper, vinegar and water and cook for another minute or so, until liquid is completely evaporated.

  • Stir in fresh sage, kill the heat and place liver slices on top of the onion compote. Cover loosely and let sit for about 5 minutes just to warm up the liver and allow all the flavours to mingle happily.

  • Serve immediately , sprinkled with crispy bacon.

Notes

*This reheats surprisingly well in the microwave. To be honest, I was expecting the worse and thought for sure that the microwave would turn the meat into shoe leather, but not at all. After 2 minutes on high, the meat was nice and warm and retained all of its tenderness.

Nutrition

Calories: 417kcal, Carbohydrates: 37g, Protein: 46g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 418mg, Sodium: 1502mg, Potassium: 1243mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 17g, Vitamin A: 23952IU, Vitamin C: 12mg, Calcium: 58mg, Iron: 9mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Author: Sonia! The Healthy Foodie

If you’ve tried this recipe, please take a minute to rate the recipe and let me know how things went for you in the comments below. It’s always such a pleasure to hear from you!

You can also FOLLOW ME on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and TWITTER for more delicious, healthy recipes!

The Ultimate Beef Liver Recipe - Paleo and Whole30 Compliant (5)

The Fig, Bacon and Caramelized Onion Compote, just waiting for the liver…

The Ultimate Beef Liver Recipe - Paleo and Whole30 Compliant (6)

Come on, you brain.Does this look good or what?

(I think it’s working, I got a nod…)

The Ultimate Beef Liver Recipe - Paleo and Whole30 Compliant (7)

Served with the onion compote and crispy bacon, with a side of asparagus and butternut squash.

The Ultimate Beef Liver Recipe - Paleo and Whole30 Compliant (8)

Look at how nice and slightly pink still.

So tender and juicy!

The Ultimate Beef Liver Recipe - Paleo and Whole30 Compliant (2024)

FAQs

Why do you soak liver in milk before cooking? ›

Soaking is done to make the flavor less "gamey" and to tenderize the meat. The lactic acid in buttermilk (and milk) tenderizes protein. To soak liver, put it in a dish and cover it completely with milk or buttermilk. Let it soak in the milk for 30 to 60 minutes, then pat it dry and proceed with the recipe.

How much beef liver can I eat daily? ›

Having 1-3 servings per week of fresh beef liver (about 3 ounces per serving) is a typical recommendation, since this is enough to provide a significant amount of vitamins and minerals. Stick with one serving of liver supplements daily (usually about 3–6 capsules, depending on the brand), though.

How do you make beef liver not taste like liver? ›

Soak Liver in Lemon Juice Or Milk

After it's done soaking, pat the liver dry with clean paper towels and cook it however you'd like. Soaking liver in an acid can help cut down on some of the metallic or “iron” taste common in beef and lamb liver.

Is beef liver good for weight loss? ›

Eating beef liver can aid in weight loss. Not only is it low in calories, but its high protein content reduces hunger. Consuming a lot of protein can raise the metabolic rate. That means the body does not require as many calories for its basic functioning.

Does soaking liver in milk remove toxins? ›

While we are used to soaking liver in vinegar or lemon to get rid of the bad smell and kill any remaining toxins, American and European chefs advise to soak liver in milk. Yes, that's right: Milk! They claim that in addition to getting rid of toxins that usually are present in raw liver, milk helps tenderizing it.

Do you rinse beef liver before cooking? ›

Do not wash or rinse raw meat or poultry before you cook it. Washing can cause bacteria found on the surface of meat or poultry to be spread to ready-to-eat foods, kitchen utensils, and counter surfaces. This is called cross-contamination. Rinse fruits and vegetables before eating.

What is the super food for the liver? ›

Here are some foods that are good choices for your liver
  • Lean proteins. Getting enough protein is crucial for your liver, and lean chicken, turkey, fish and beef are good options. ...
  • Fruits and vegetables. ...
  • Olive oil. ...
  • Nuts and seeds. ...
  • Oatmeal. ...
  • Coffee and tea.
Mar 3, 2023

Is 1 oz of liver a day too much? ›

🤔 Liver is so rich in nutrients that are hard to find other places in your diet… Eating 0.5oz (15g!) per day will significantly increase the quality of your nutrition

What are the pros and cons of eating liver? ›

The bottom line

Liver is low in calories and rich in high quality protein, all while providing an incredible amount of vital nutrients. For most people, liver can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. However, it should be eaten in limited amounts if you are pregnant and avoided if you have gout.

Which liver is tastiest? ›

Two of the most prized livers are calf's liver and chicken livers. Both are on the sweeter end of the offal spectrum, mild in their meatiness and relatively tender and delicate, though for obvious reasons, chicken livers are much, much smaller than the other meats mentioned here.

What happened when I started eating beef liver? ›

Eating a single serving of liver can help you meet your daily recommended amount of most of these vitamins and minerals, reducing your risk of nutrient deficiency. Liver is also very high in protein, a nutrient that's essential for you to build and maintain healthy tissue, including muscle, skin, and bone.

What takes the bitterness out of liver? ›

Place your liver in a bowl with filtered water. Add 4-8 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, or whole milk (raw preferred.) Allow to soak for anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. The time you soak is determined by the thickness of your slices and your texture preferences.

How many times a week can you eat beef liver? ›

Most people should eat liver no more than once a week, according to the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition. Those with severe vitamin A or iron deficiencies might get the OK from their doctors to eat larger amounts.

Who shouldn't take beef liver? ›

As a result, it may provide a number of potential health benefits, such as supporting the immune and nervous systems. However, because it is so rich in certain vitamins, people may experience toxicity if they eat too much of it. It may not also be suitable for pregnant people or those with gout.

Does eating beef liver raise cholesterol? ›

Liver is a nutritional powerhouse. It's also rich in cholesterol, regardless of the animal source. For instance, a 100-gram (3.5-ounce) serving of beef liver contains 389 mg of cholesterol. This serving also provides 27 grams of protein and is rich in many vitamins and minerals.

Why does milk remove bitterness from liver? ›

This is because buttermilk (and milk in general) contains calcium. The alkaline calcium interacts with chicken liver and tempers its acidic nature to leave a mild-tasting liver. Milk also helps remove any blood left in the liver, making it taste less metallic.

How do you get the bitterness out of liver without milk? ›

To Do: Simply place your cut up liver in a bowl, barely cover with water and add the juice of a lemon or a tablespoon or two of vinegar. Soak for a few hours before cooking, drain and pat dry.

What are the benefits of soaking meat in milk? ›

Here's why: A steak that marinates in an acidic or enzymatic liquid too long, such as citrus juice or cola, becomes tough or mushy. But the acid in milk is so mild that you can soak beef in it long enough to tenderize it effectively, without damaging the proteins on the surface.

What is the best cooking method for liver? ›

Liver is extremely nutritious and less expensive than most beef products. It's very lean, so it's most often pan-seared quickly to brown and keep it from drying out, although it can also be baked, braised, grilled or made into paté or liverwurst.

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