Marianne Martinez
Beef heart is a nutrient-dense organ meat that is rich in CoQ10, protein, B12, and folate. It is a great option for those who want to incorporate organ meat into their diet due to its mild flavor and tender texture when cooked correctly. Beef heart can be prepared in a variety of ways, including slow cooking in a crock pot, which is a simple and economical way to feed a family. This guide will provide an introduction to cooking beef heart in a crock pot, including preparation, cooking methods, and serving suggestions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Clean the heart, trim the fat, and slice into 1-inch cubes |
| Cooking Method | Place the beef heart cubes in the crock pot with beef broth, spices, and sliced onions. Cover and cook on high for 4-6 hours. |
| Serving Suggestions | Serve over steamed rice, quinoa, or riced cauliflower. Can also be served with a side of salad, roasted vegetables, or potatoes. |
| Leftovers | Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. |
| Nutritional Benefits | Rich in CoQ10, protein, B12, folate, vitamins, minerals, and more. |
| Taste and Texture | Mild-flavored and tender when slow-cooked. |
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What You'll Learn
Trimming and seasoning the beef heart
Trimming the Beef Heart:
Before cooking, it is important to trim the beef heart. You can use a sharp knife or scissors to remove any excess fat, veins, and tough bits. While slow cooking will soften these parts, making trimming unnecessary, some people prefer to trim for aesthetic reasons or to reduce waste. Freezing and rendering the fat into homemade tallow is a popular option for those who choose to trim.
Seasoning the Beef Heart:
Beef heart is a versatile meat that can be seasoned in a variety of ways. Here are some common seasoning options:
- Salt and pepper: A basic seasoning of salt and pepper is a simple way to enhance the flavour of the beef heart.
- Garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cumin: This combination adds a smoky, savoury flavour to the meat.
- Oregano: Oregano adds an earthy, slightly bitter note to the dish.
- Onion powder: Onion powder can provide a savoury, sweet onion flavour without the need for fresh onions.
- Red wine, sherry vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce: Marinating the beef heart in this mixture adds a depth of flavour and tenderness to the meat.
- Fresh herbs: Basil, thyme, and garlic are used to enhance the flavour and provide a fresh aroma.
Once the beef heart has been seasoned, it is ready to be placed in the crock pot with other ingredients and cooked according to your preferred recipe.
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Cooking the beef heart
Beef heart is a good way to start eating internal organs as it has a milder flavour than beef liver. It is also a nutrient-dense food, containing vitamins, minerals, fat, and protein.
To cook beef heart in a crock pot, you can first trim the fat and devein the heart. Then, cut the heart into 1-inch cubes. Place the cubes in the slow cooker, and add beef broth and spices such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cumin. You can also add sliced onions and potatoes. Stir to coat the beef cubes. Cover and cook on high for 4-6 hours.
Once the beef heart is cooked, you can transfer it to a plate and strain the cooking liquids into a saucepan. Return the meat to the slow cooker and set it to warm. Cook the liquids with butter until they reduce into a rich gravy. You can add cornstarch to speed up the process. Serve the beef heart with the gravy, garnished with parsley.
Beef heart can also be slow-cooked and seasoned with cumin, garlic powder, paprika, and oregano. It can be served with steamed broccoli and thyme-roasted sweet potatoes, or on a bed of rice to soak up the juices. It can also be sliced thinly and used in sandwiches or stir-fries.
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Making a gravy
To make a gravy for your beef heart dish, you can use the juices from the cooked meat. Here are the steps to make a gravy:
Firstly, prepare your beef heart by trimming any excess fat and connective tissue. Cut the heart into cubes of around 1 inch. You can also cut it into thin strips, depending on your preference. Season the meat with salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, and oregano. For extra flavour, marinate the meat in a mixture of oil, an acid such as lemon juice or vinegar, and your choice of seasonings.
Place the beef heart into your crock pot and add water or beef stock. You can also add onions, mushrooms, and potatoes to the pot for extra flavour. Cover and cook on a low heat for 6-10 hours, or on high for 4 hours. Once the meat is cooked, transfer it to a plate and keep warm.
To make the gravy, strain the cooking juices from the crock pot into a saucepan. Add butter and cornstarch to the juices to thicken the gravy. Whisk the mixture over medium-high heat until it reaches your desired consistency. You can also add other seasonings to taste.
Your gravy is now ready to serve with your beef heart!
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Serving suggestions
Beef heart is a versatile meat that complements a variety of cuisines. Here are some serving suggestions:
Soup Style
Create a comforting soup by serving the beef heart sliced with a generous ladle of broth and vegetables.
Grain Bowl
For a well-rounded meal, serve the beef heart over fluffy rice, quinoa, or riced cauliflower to soak up the juices from the crockpot.
Salad
Beef heart can also be served with a side salad or steamed broccoli and thyme-roasted sweet potatoes.
Sandwiches
Slice the beef heart thinly and use it as lunch meat in sandwiches.
Sides
Pair your beef heart with sides like garlic mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted green beans, oven-roasted broccoli, or crusty bread to soak up the broth.
Breakfast
For a savoury breakfast, serve beef heart with avocado, sunny-side-up eggs, crispy kale, and baked beans. It can also be added to a breakfast burrito with salsa, cheese, and eggs.
Lunch
Beef heart is also great for lunch. Some suggested sides include:
- Guacamole
- Crispy kale chips
- Baked beans
- Salad
Leftovers
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. They can be gently reheated in the microwave at 50% power or frozen for up to three months.
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Storing and reheating
Slow-cooked beef heart can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It can also be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge, and gently warm in the microwave at 50% power.
Beef heart is a versatile dish. The sliced pieces can be served as you would a steak, with sauces like chili-lime mayo, or salted. They can also be diced and added to a stir-fry or soup, or even sliced thinly and used as lunch meat in sandwiches.
The slow-cooked beef heart is saucy, so it goes well with something that can soak up the juices, like rice or quinoa. It can also be served with a green side dish, such as roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted green beans, or oven-roasted broccoli.
Leftover gravy can be reduced and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. It can be frozen as well, and then thawed and reheated on the stovetop.
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Frequently asked questions
Cut the heart into 1-inch cubes and place them in the crock pot. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and oregano. Stir to coat the beef cubes. Top with sliced onions. Cover with water and cook on high for 4-6 hours.
You can trim some of the fat off the beef heart before cooking if it has a very thick layer. You can also devein the beef heart, although this is unnecessary as the tough parts soften when slow-cooked.
You can serve crock pot beef heart with steamed rice, quinoa, or riced cauliflower. It can also be served with salad, steamed broccoli, thyme-roasted sweet potatoes, or roasted Brussels sprouts.
Beef heart cooked in a crock pot can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It can also be frozen for up to three months.
