Beef Liver and Onions
This beef liver and onions is packed with nutrients and flavor! The beef is tenderized and cooked to savory perfection. The onions add even more flavor. This quick and easy recipe for how to cook beef liver is super healthy and incredibly delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Beef liver and onions is filled with nutrients and protein.
- Liver is one of the healthiest foods.
- This quick and easy recipe takes 10 minutes after the meat soaks.
- Soaking the beef liver takes out the strong flavor.
- In addition, this tenderizes the meat.
- This recipe is gluten free, nut free, sugar free, high in protein, low in carbs, and high in vitamins.
- For Paleo and Whole30, use unsweetened dairy free milk.
- Check out this Top Sirloin Steak or these Beef Tips and Rice for another delicious dinner idea.
Ingredients & Substitutions
These are the main ingredients and substitutions for beef liver and onions recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card for full ingredients list and instructions.
If using frozen beef liver, thaw completely beforehand. Young calves have a more tender liver than mature calves. Thinly slice liver or buy pre-sliced.
Buttermilk helps the meat become tender. Feel free to replace with regular milk or heavy cream. For dairy free, use dairy free milk. This also helps cut back on the intense liver flavor.
Onions and liver pair well together. Use a medium sized yellow onion. Slice thinly.
Olive oil helps provide a beautiful sear on the meat. In addition, the onions become tender.
Season meat with garlic powder, pepper and sea salt. Feel free to add more seasonings if desired.
What is Beef Liver?
Beef liver is an organ meat. It comes from cows.
This cut of meat is considered a nutritional superfood. It is high in protein, high in vitamins, and low in carbs.
This meat is not popular with everyone. It is known to have a strong meat flavor and can be tough.
To combat this, soak the meat in buttermilk or milk. This neutralizes some of the meaty flavor. In addition, soaking the liver makes it more tender.
Beef Liver Health Benefits
Beef liver is loaded with health benefits! It is very healthy and very high in many nutrients.
Liver is high in Vitamin A, riboflavin, Vitamin B12, and copper.
Additionally, liver is high in protein and low in carbs.
Compared to other superfoods, beef liver contains more nutrients. Even kale, spinach and blueberries pale in comparison to liver.
A serving of 100 grams contains only 4 carbs and more than 20 grams of protein. In addition, it contains over 3 grams of healthy fats.
It has been known to promote healthy skin, healthy brain power and healthy brain function.
In conclusion, beef liver is extremely healthy and contains numerous health benefits.
Taste & Texture
This beef liver recipe is hearty and savory. The onions add a great flavor.
The longer the meat soaks, the more tender it becomes. Do not over cook liver. Overcooking leads to dry gritty meat.
How to Make
Step 1
First, add sliced beef liver to a bowl. Pour the buttermilk on top. Soak in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour up to overnight.
Step 2
Once beef has soaked, remove from buttermilk. Pat dry with paper towels. Season on both sides with garlic powder, pepper and sea salt. Discard the buttermilk.
Step 3
In a large skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add in the sliced onions.
Step 4
Cook onions until tender. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Remove onions from skillet.
Step 5
Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to skillet. Add seasoned beef liver to the pan.
Step 6
Sear on both sides for about 2 to 3 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Add onions back to pan for 1 minute to heat up.
Step 7
Finally, serve beef liver and onions.
Expert Tips & Tricks
Thinly slice liver into strips.
If using frozen, thaw completely beforehand.
Soak meat in buttermilk or milk for at least 1 hour. The longer it soaks, the more neutralized the flavor and tenderized it will become.
Cook in one even layer. Do not overcrowd the skillet.
Do not over cook.
Use a meat thermometer to measure internal temperature. Organ meat is considered safe to eat at 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to Serve & Store
Serve beef liver and onions hot and fresh.
Serve alongside some green beans and potatoes, roasted veggies, or mashed potatoes.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
I do not recommend freezing liver.
Supplements
Beef liver also comes in supplement form.
There are many brands and options. Ancestral Supplements makes grass fed beef liver capsules which are a great option.
For a quick and easy option, try these Eat Pluck organ meat seasonings. Use code ORGANICALLYADDISON for 15% off. Great on burgers, in soups, on chicken, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Liver is very healthy and good for you. It contains protein, vitamins and nutrients.
Beef liver is one of the healthiest meals.
Soaking liver in milk helps alleviate the intense flavor. Moreover, it becomes more tender this way.
Beef liver is sold at most grocery stores. In addition, it is available on some online butcher shops.
Yes, this recipe is gluten free.
No, liver does not freeze well.
Equipment Needed
Our Place Always Pan: This pan is non toxic and great for cooking, searing and sautéeing.
Meat Thermometer: Use a meat thermometer to accurately read internal temperature of meat.
You May Also Like
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Get the Recipe: Beef Liver and Onions
Ingredients
- 12 ounces beef liver, sliced
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp sea salt
Instructions
- First, add sliced beef liver to a bowl. Pour buttermilk on top. Soak in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour up to overnight.
- Once beef has soaked, remove from buttermilk. Pat dry with paper towels. Season on both sides with garlic powder, pepper and sea salt. Discard buttermilk.
- In a large skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add in sliced onions.
- Cook onions until tender. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Remove onions from skillet.
- Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to skillet. Add seasoned beef liver to the pan.
- Sear on both sides for about 2 to 3 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Add onions back to pan for 1 minute to heat up.
- Finally, serve beef liver and onions.
Notes
- Soaking the beef liver in buttermilk helps remove the strong flavor and helps make it more tender. Do not skip this step.
- Feel free to soak it in milk or cream if you do not have buttermilk.
- Organ meat is considered safe to eat at 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Use a meat thermometer for accurate results.
- Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Meat may become tough when reheated. Slowly reheat in the microwave or in a skillet.
- Do not freeze.
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9 Comments on “Beef Liver and Onions”
Our local organic farm had buttermilk this week, so it seemed the perfect time to cook beef liver. I added some fresh thyme to the frying onions and a couple of slices of bacon. The liver was very tender and tasty. Thank you!
I am so glad to hear that! The bacon sounds delicious.
I grew up on a farm and we had liver and onion a lot. This recipe seems to be just the same as my grandmother’s but she never soaked the liver in milk. I decided to try this and it really does reduce some of the flavor.
I love how nostalgic this recipe is for you, Jere! Thank you for the kind comment.
I grew up eating a dish like this that my mom made so I had to try it out for her. She loved it and the buttermilk really made a difference.
So glad to hear that, Karen!
I always soaked livers in milk but this time I followed your instruction to use buttermilk instead. They turned tender and tasty.
My partner was told to try to eat liver a couple of times a month, so we have been trying out recipes. We both really loved this one! 🙂
I have always struggled with cooking my husbands favorite, liver. Your recipe was so easy to follow and the tip about soaking in buttermilk for at least an hour changed the whole way I make this! Great recipe!