Tacos de Lengua
Authentic Mexican Tacos de Lengua, featuring incredibly tender, slow-braised beef tongue, thinly sliced and served in warm corn tortillas. A delicacy for the adventurous palate, celebrated for its rich flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Beef tongue(Ensure it's well-cleaned by your butcher, or rinse thoroughly yourself.)
- 2 medium Yellow onion(Peeled and halved.)
- 6 cloves Garlic(Peeled.)
- 3 dried Bay leaves
- enough to cover Water or low-sodium beef broth(Approximately 6-8 cups, depending on pot size.)
- to taste Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black peppercorns
- 24 small Corn tortillas
- 1/2 medium White onion(Finely diced, for topping.)
- 1 bunch Fresh cilantro(Chopped, for topping.)
- for serving Salsa verde or your favorite salsa
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the beef tongue under cold running water. Place the tongue in a large stockpot or Dutch oven. Add the halved onion, whole garlic cloves, bay leaves, and peppercorns. Add enough water or broth to completely submerge the tongue, ensuring it's covered by at least an inch of liquid.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Bring the liquid to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and let it simmer gently. The tongue needs to braise until it is exceptionally tender, which typically takes 3 to 3.5 hours. You should be able to easily pierce the thickest part of the tongue with a fork with very little resistance.
⏱️ 3 hours - 3 hours 30 minutes - 3
Carefully remove the tender beef tongue from the pot using tongs and place it on a clean cutting board. Reserve about 1 cup of the flavorful braising liquid. While the tongue is still warm (this is crucial for easy peeling), use a paring knife to gently loosen and peel away the thick outer skin. It should come off in large pieces. Discard the skin.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 4
Once peeled, dice the tongue into small, bite-sized pieces (about 1/4 to 1/2 inch cubes) or slice it thinly against the grain. For extra flavor, you can briefly pan-fry the diced or sliced tongue in a hot skillet with a little oil or some of the reserved braising liquid until slightly crisped.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 5
Warm the corn tortillas. This can be done by heating them one by one in a dry skillet over medium-high heat until pliable and lightly browned, or by wrapping them in a damp kitchen towel and microwaving for 30-60 seconds. Alternatively, you can briefly fry them in a little oil until just softened.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
Assemble the tacos by filling each warm tortilla with a generous portion of the prepared beef tongue. Top with finely diced white onion, chopped fresh cilantro, and a drizzle of your favorite salsa verde or other salsa. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Peeling the tongue while it's still warm is essential for easy removal of the tough outer skin.
- ✓The braised tongue should be meltingly tender, almost falling apart, indicating it's cooked perfectly.
- ✓Tacos de Lengua are a beloved classic in Mexican cuisine, prized for their unique texture and rich flavor. Don't be intimidated; the result is incredibly rewarding.
- ✓Taste the braising liquid before serving and adjust salt if needed. You can also strain and reduce some of the liquid to create a more concentrated sauce for drizzling.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For a richer flavor and crispier texture, lightly pan-fry the diced or sliced tongue in a hot skillet with a tablespoon of oil or some of the reserved braising liquid until lightly browned and slightly crisp.
- Experiment with different salsas, such as a spicy roja, a creamy avocado salsa, or a classic pico de gallo.
- Add a squeeze of lime juice over the finished tacos for a burst of freshness.