Beef Tongue Taco Meat (Instant Pot or Crockpot)

I’ll be honest, I didn’t have too much trouble trying beef heart or liver. While there was a bit of weirdness factor with each of them, I was able to overcome them both pretty easily. When it came to the beef tongue, on the other hand, I was much more hesitant. Maybe it was the fact that it’s more of an external organ or because I have actually seen the tongue of a live cow. Definitely a contributing factor is that when I pulled it out of the package, it looked very much so like a tongue. Naturally, it gave me much more of an “ick-factor” initially. I am so glad that I pushed through and overcame it though, because beef tongue is now my favorite organ meat! 

I originally shared this recipe in April of 2024 and am updating it today with new photos as well as tips and tricks I have learned along the way for making the most flavorful and tender tongue taco meat!

Beef tongue has become my favorite organ meat for a couple of reasons. Not only does it have a much milder flavor compared to liver or heart, but the meat is also extremely tender when cooked at a low temperature for long periods of time such as in the oven or when using an Instant Pot to speed up the process. It pulls apart easily and has a delightful richness beyond that of other muscle meats like steaks and roasts.

Beef Tongue Taco Meat

Since beef tongue is tender and very similar to muscle meats when slow roasted at a low temperature, I believe it would go well in a variety of dishes that call for roast beef. Some examples are Italian beef sandwiches, soups, stews, and even just served as is alongside mashed potatoes and roasted veggies. I would love to hear alternative ways that you are enjoying beef tongue. Until then, let’s get back to the tacos.

Benefits of Beef Tongue

If you’re interested in starting to eat nose to tail of animals including nutrient dense organs, a beef tongue is actually a great place to start. It has a much more mild flavor in comparison to some of the other organs such as heart or liver. Additionally, if prepared correctly, it shreds quite easily, is extremely tender, and is quite similar in texture to a beef roast.  Beef tongue is a great introduction to organ meats and the tacos are an easy way to “hide” the meat for those who are more hesitant. We love them with our homemade tortillas. 

While beef tongue is technically a muscle meat, it is also considered an organ meat. It has a number of additional nutrients found in higher levels than a traditional muscle meat. Key nutrients include, but are not limited to, iron, zinc, phosphorus, selenium, vitamin B12, choline, and collagen.

While you won’t find levels of these nutrients as high as you would in beef liver, they are still higher than your average cut of muscle meat. This is what gives it much more mild flavor in comparison to other organ meats. Its mild flavor and similar texture to muscle meats make it a great option for introducing nutrient dense organ meats into your diet. 

Ingredients

• Beef Tongue (preferably grass-fed and finished)
• Water/Beef Broth
• Onion
• Garlic
• Cumin
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Bay Leaves

How To Make Beef Tongue Taco Meat In The Instant Pot

1. Add all ingredients to the Instant Pot. 
2. Pressure cook on high for at least 2.5 hours (150 minutes). Allow the instant pot to release naturally. This will take about 40-45 minutes.
3. Take the tongue out of the Instant Pot and remove the outer skin. This is extremely tough to eat. 
4. Once the outer skin is removed, use a couple of forks to pull the meat apart. It should come apart easily like pulled pork or shredded beef.
5. Serve on a homemade tortilla with cheese, avocado, salsa, sour cream, lime, cilantro or any toppings of your choosing!

How To Make Tongue Taco Meat In The Crockpot or Oven

1. Preheat the oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit (skip if using the crockpot).
2. Add all ingredients to a Dutch Oven or Crockpot. 
3. Place into the oven and let cook at this temperature for at least 4 hours to allow the tougher portions of the meat to cook down and become tender. If using the crockpot, cook on low for at least 4 hours and up to 8 hours.
4. Remove from the oven or crockpot. Take the tongue out of the cooking vessel and remove the outer skin. This is extremely tough to eat. 
5. Once the outer skin is removed, use a couple of forks to pull the meat apart. It should come apart easily like pulled pork or shredded beef.
6. Serve on a homemade tortilla with cheese, avocado, salsa, sour cream, lime, cilantro or any toppings of your choosing!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn’t the meat pull apart?

This is likely happening for one of two reasons. You may have forgotten to remove the outer skin of the tongue. This is a tough outer membrane that does not break down when cooking and does not shred easily even after you have cooked it for the correct amount of time. The other possibility is that it didn’t cook long enough to break down the tough muscle meat. This can happen if you opened the dutch oven too early, releasing the steam or simply didn’t cook it long enough. If the tongue is larger than 2-3 pounds, you may need to cook it a little longer.

Can I eat the skin?

While it is technically edible, the outer membrane or skin of the tongue does not break down in the cooking process. This makes it tough to chew and digest. Ultimately, the decision is up to you, but I wouldn’t recommend it.

Can it be cooked on the stove top?

Yes, chances are if you ask your grandma how they would have prepared a beef tongue, this would be what they would recommend. Many people would boil the tongue in a pot of water with seasoning and vegetables to give it flavor. It will take 2-3 hours or boiling to get the tongue to be as tender as what it is using the Instant Pot or Oven Methods described above.

More Slow Food Recipes You Might Enjoy

Homemade Fresh Milled Flour Tortillas

Whole Roasted Spatchcock Chicken

Easy Pad Thai Recipe

Beef Tongue Taco Meat (Instant Pot or Crockpot)

Beef tongue tacos are a easy and delicious introduction to organ meats. Organ meats provide so many fantastic nutrients but can be challenging to eat if you're not familiar with them. These tacos are flavorful and the meat is so incredibly tender.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 4 servings

Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

• Instant Pot, Dutch Oven, or Crockpot

Ingredients

  

• 1 Beef Tongue preferably grass-fed and raised
• 2 cups Water or Beef Broth
• 1/2 Onion cut in large chunks
• 4 Cloves Garlic whole, peeled
• 1 Tbsp Cumin
• 1 Tbsp Salt
• 1 tsp Black Pepper
• 1-2 Bay Leaves

Instructions

 

Instant Pot

• Add all ingredients to the Instant Pot. Pressure cook on high for at least 2.5 hours (150 minutes).
• Allow the instant pot to release naturally. This will take about 40-45 minutes.
• Take the tongue out of the Instant Pot and remove the outer skin. This is extremely tough to eat. Once the outer skin is removed, use a couple of forks to pull the meat apart. It should come apart easily like pulled pork or shredded beef.
• Serve on a homemade tortilla with cheese, avocado, salsa, sour cream, lime, cilantro or any toppings of your choosing!

Crockpot or Oven

• Preheat the oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit (skip if using the crockpot).
• Add all ingredients to a Dutch Oven or Crockpot.
• Place into the oven and let cook at this temperature for at least 4 hours to allow the tougher portions of the meat to cook down and become tender. If using the crockpot, cook on low for at least 4 hours and up to 8 hours.
• Remove from the oven or crockpot. Take the tongue out of the cooking vessel and remove the outer skin. This is extremely tough to eat.
• Once the outer skin is removed, use a couple of forks to pull the meat apart. It should come apart easily like pulled pork or shredded beef.
• Serve on a homemade tortilla with cheese, avocado, salsa, sour cream, lime, cilantro or any toppings of your choosing!

Keyword Beef Tongue, Crockpot, Instant Pot, Oven