Air-Frying Beef Heart: A Quick, Tasty Guide

Beef heart is a cheap, tasty, and nutritious cut of meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways. It is often likened to filet mignon or beef tenderloin in terms of taste and texture. To cook beef heart in an air fryer, you should first trim the arteries, valves, and excess fat and gristle, and then slice the heart into pieces. Next, season the meat and leave it uncovered in the fridge for several hours or overnight. When ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes, spray the slices with olive oil, and cook for a total of 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Cooking Beef Heart in an Air Fryer

Beef heart preparation

Beef heart is an affordable, tasty, and nutritious cut of meat. It can be cooked in an air fryer, but first, it needs to be prepared.

Start by rinsing the beef heart and patting it dry with paper towels. Next, cut off any excess fat, arteries, valves, membranes, and gristle. You may be able to skip this step if your butcher has already done it for you. Cut the heart into slices about 1-1.5 inches thick. If you want to bread the beef heart, place the pieces in a bowl, add olive oil, salt, and spices, and mix thoroughly. Leave this to sit in the refrigerator for 1-3 hours. Pour some flour onto a plate and coat each piece of beef heart.

If you want to season the meat, you can use a dry brine or marinade and leave it in the fridge overnight. Salting it overnight will add flavour and moisture to the meat. You can also trim and season the meat, then pinwheel it with a rice and sausage mixture before smoking it. Alternatively, marinate the meat in red wine, sherry vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, fresh basil, fresh thyme, fresh garlic, and smoked black pepper. You can then season it with smoked paprika, white pepper, ancho chilli powder, and rubbed sage.

Cooking the Beef Heart

Once you have finished preparing the meat, you can cook it in an air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F. Spray the slices of beef heart with olive oil and cook for a total of 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. You can also cook the beef heart in a slow cooker, pressure cooker, or instant pot.

Serving the Beef Heart

Beef heart is best served freshly prepared. It should be cooked rare to medium-rare, otherwise, it may dry out. Always let the meat rest for 5-10 minutes before eating to let the juices redistribute. It can be served with a variety of side dishes, including potatoes, spinach salad, roasted frozen broccoli, or honey-roasted parsnips.

Air fryer temperature and timing

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes. This temperature is ideal for cooking beef heart, ensuring it cooks evenly and efficiently. While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the beef heart slices by spraying or brushing them with olive oil. This step ensures that the meat doesn't stick to the air fryer basket and helps to create a crispy exterior.

Once the air fryer has preheated, carefully place the beef heart slices into the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the beef heart in batches to avoid overcrowding. Set the timer for 12 minutes in total for the beef heart to be cooked to medium-rare. If you prefer your meat more well-done, you can increase the cooking time by a minute or two.

Halfway through the cooking process, after about 6 minutes, flip the beef heart slices to ensure even cooking on both sides. This step ensures that both sides of the meat develop the same crispy texture and attractive browning. After flipping, continue cooking for the remaining 6 minutes or until the desired doneness is achieved.

When the timer goes off, use tongs or a spatula to carefully remove the beef heart slices from the air fryer. It is important to let the meat rest for a few minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and juicy final product. Aim to let the beef heart rest for at least 5 minutes, or up to 10 minutes for larger cuts.

By following these temperature and timing guidelines, you will be able to cook beef heart to your desired doneness in your air fryer. Remember always to adjust the timing based on your preference for doneness and the size of your air fryer. Enjoy experimenting with this delicious and nutritious cut of meat!

Beef heart cooking techniques

Beef heart is an affordable, tasty, and nutritious cut of meat that can be cooked in an air fryer. Here are some techniques to help you prepare and cook beef heart in an air fryer.

Preparation

Before cooking, it is important to clean the beef heart thoroughly. Cut the heart in half lengthwise, separating the chambers. Remove the arteries, valves, excess fat, and any tough stringy gristle bits. You may skip this step if your butcher has already done it for you.

Next, cut the heart into slices. The slices should be around 1-1.5 inches thick. If you want a more tender beef heart, consider cutting thinner slices.

Seasoning

After cutting the beef heart into slices, you can season it with salt and let it sit, uncovered, in the fridge for 8 hours or overnight. Salting it for a longer period helps to add flavour and moisture to the meat. You can also marinate the beef heart overnight before cooking to help tenderize it. Some ingredients you can use for marination include red wine, sherry vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, basil, thyme, garlic, and smoked black pepper.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F for 5 minutes. Spray the beef heart slices with olive oil and place them in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch each other. Depending on the number of slices and the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.

Cook the beef heart slices for around 12 minutes in total, flipping them halfway through. For a rare to medium-rare finish, cook each side for about 2-3 minutes, depending on the thickness of the slices.

Serving

After cooking, let the beef heart rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute. Beef heart pairs well with sides such as Hasselback potatoes, truffle mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, garlic bread, or a spinach salad. It can also be served with sauces like chimichurri or gremolata to balance out the meatiness of the dish.

Storage

Cooked beef heart is highly perishable and should be stored properly. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days or frozen for up to 6 months. When reheating, ensure you don't overcook it, as this can dry out the meat and make it tough.

Beef heart side dishes

Beef heart is a versatile dish that can be cooked in many ways and paired with a variety of side dishes. Here are some ideas for side dishes that will complement the unique flavour and texture of beef heart:

Starch-based Sides

• Potatoes: Try Hasselback potatoes, air fryer baked potatoes, or truffle mashed potatoes.
• Noodles: Beef heart can be served with homemade noodles or pasta, such as in a beef stroganoff or beef massaman curry.
• Rice: Consider a rice and sausage pinwheel, smoked or grilled alongside the beef heart.

Vegetable Sides

• Spinach: A spinach salad can be a light and healthy option to balance the richness of the beef heart.
• Broccoli: Roasted frozen broccoli provides a crunchy and nutritious side dish.
• Parsnips: Honey-roasted parsnips offer a sweet and savoury contrast to the beef heart.
• Onions: Creamed pearl onions or caramelized onions are a classic pairing, offering a touch of sweetness to the dish.
• Carrots: Sliced or diced carrots can add a touch of colour and crunch to the plate.
• Corn: Peruvian giant field corn is a traditional side dish for beef heart skewers.

Bread-based Sides

• Garlic bread: Air-fried garlic bread provides a crunchy and flavourful accompaniment.
• Mozzarella sticks: These can be a fun and indulgent side dish, especially for those who enjoy melted cheese.

Sauces and Condiments

• Chimichurri: A fresh and tangy sauce that pairs well with the richness of the beef heart.
• Gremolata: This herb-based sauce adds a bright and citrusy note to the dish.
• Salsa: A green salsa, especially one with a mild spice, can complement the beef heart's flavour.
• Guacamole: The creaminess of avocado in guacamole can balance the texture of the beef heart.

Remember, when preparing side dishes, consider the cooking method and seasoning used for the beef heart to create a well-rounded and flavourful meal.

Beef heart storage and reheating

Storing and reheating beef heart is a simple process. If you're storing leftovers, place them in a covered container and keep them in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the beef heart. Let it cool completely before placing it in a freezer-safe container to prevent condensation. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.

When reheating, it's best to avoid the microwave, as this can affect the texture and flavor of the meat. Instead, opt for reheating the beef heart gently in a skillet or a covered dish in the oven to prevent it from drying out and becoming tough. If you do choose to use a microwave, check on it frequently to prevent overcooking.

For frozen beef heart, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating. This will ensure that your meat is properly defrosted and ready for reheating.

Frequently asked questions