If you’re looking to try something a little different for taco night, these slow cooker beef tongue tacos are a must-try. Beef tongue is incredibly tender when cooked low and slow, and it soaks up the flavors of the spice blend I used so well. Topped with pickled onions, avocado, and cilantro, I think these tacos are better than something you'd get from a restaurant!
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The Best Slow Cooker Lengua Recipe
If you've always wanted to try to cook lengua in a slow cooker, this recipe is you calling! The first time I cooked beef tongue in a slow cooker, I was blown away.
The meat turned out so incredibly tender, and I thought it would be perfect for putting into tacos! So I have this recipe for beef tongue tacos for you today, and I think you're going to love it.
The tacos remind me of something you'd get from a food truck, with the flavorful meat and complimentary toppings. They're delicious, and I love how easy and hands-off this recipe is to make!
Ingredients
You'll find that my recipe uses a majority of common kitchen ingredients, with a few you'll have to pick up from the store. Here's what you'll need:
- 1 beef tongue (3-4 lbs)
- 5 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 large onion, cut into quarters
- 1 celery stalk, cut in half
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of cinnamon
- 2 cardamom pods
- 4 flour tortillas
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
- ¼ cup pickled red onions
- Avocado
- Lime wedges
- Habenero salsa - optional
How To Cook Beef Tongue in a Slow Cooker
Step 1: Prepare the Beef Tongue and Slow Cook
To start, rinse the beef tongue thoroughly under cold water. Then place it in a slow cooker with garlic, onion, celery, salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and cardamom pods. Add enough water to fully submerge the tongue, then set the slow cooker to low.
Cook the meat for 8 hours until it is tender and can easily be pierced with a knife.
Step 2: Peel and Dice the Beef Tongue
Once the tongue is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and allow it to cool slightly. Use a paring knife to peel off and discard the outer skin. Then, dice the beef tongue into small bite-sized pieces.
Step 3: Keep the Meat Warm
Return the diced tongue meat to the slow cooker and set it to "warm" to keep the meat ready for serving while you prepare the toppings and tortillas.
Step 4: Assemble the Tacos
Now warm the tortillas on a skillet or in the microwave. I like to heat mine on a skillet over medium heat for about 20 seconds. Anyways, next you can add the diced beef tongue to each tortilla, then top with pickled onions, avocado slices, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Serve the tacos immediately with lime wedges on the side and some tortilla chips and salsa for dipping.
Expert Tips
- For the best texture, let the tongue cook low and slow for at least 8 hours. This will ensure that the meat is tender and easy to work with.
- Once the tongue is fully cooked, the skin should peel off easily. Let the meat cool slightly before handling to avoid burning your hands.
- I think these tacos are delicious with pickled onions, cilantro, and avocado, but feel free to customize them! Add your favorite taco toppings like salsa, shredded cheese, or sour cream.
Slow Cooker Beef Tongue Recipe FAQS
How do I store leftover beef tongue?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the meat over low heat in a skillet before serving again.
Can I freeze leftover beef tongue?
Yes! Cooked beef tongue freezes well. Simply let it cool completely before placing it in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, then thaw and reheat before serving.
What else can I serve with beef tongue tacos?
Along with tortillas and your favorite taco toppings, try serving these tacos with a side of Mexican rice, beans, or this Mexican chicken salad for a hearty meal.
More Crock Pot/Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow Cooker Beef Tongue (Made Into Tacos)
If you’re looking to try something a little different for taco night, these slow cooker beef tongue tacos are a must-try. Beef tongue is incredibly tender when cooked low and slow, and it soaks up the flavors of the spice blend I used so well. Topped with pickled onions, avocado, and cilantro, I think these tacos are better than something you'd get from a restaurant!
Ingredients
- 3lbs beef tongue
- 5 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 large onion, cut into quarters
- 1 celery stalk, cut in half
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of cinnamon
- 2 cardamom pods
- 4 flour tortillas
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
- ¼ cup pickled red onions
- avocado
- Lime wedges
Instructions
1. Rinse the beef tongue thoroughly under cold water. Place it in a slow cooker along with the onion, celery, garlic, salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and cardamom pods. Pour in enough water to fully submerge the tongue.
2. Set the slow cooker to low and cook for about 8 hours, or until the tongue becomes tender and can easily be pierced with a knife.
3. Once cooked, carefully take the tongue out of the slow cooker. Using a paring knife, peel off and discard the skin from the tongue. Dice the meat into small, bite-sized pieces.
4. Return the diced tongue meat to the slow cooker and set it to warm until ready to serve.
5. Serve the beef tongue warm, accompanied by tortillas, pickled onions, avocado, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges for garnish. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 622Total Fat: 43gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 225mgSodium: 817mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gProtein: 36g
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