Beef Tacos de Lengua (Authentic Mexican Beef Tongue Recipe)
February 23, 2025
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Servings: 8
Ingredients
- (3-4 lbs) Beef Tongue
- (1) Large onion, quartered
- (4) Cloves garlic, crushed
- (3) Bay leaves
- (1 TBSP) Whole black peppercorns
- (1 TBSP) Kosher salt
- Generous glug of avocado or extra virgin olive oil
- Water (enough to cover the tongue in a pot)
- (16) Corn tortillas
- (1) Small onion, finely diced
- (1) Avocado, roughly chopped
- Lime wedges
- Salsa of your choice
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
Directions
How to Make Tacos de Lengua
Although cooking with beef tongue might seem a little intimidating, it’s actually easy to do. Lengua becomes tender and delicious after braising, then removing the tough outer skin. Follow these steps to make the best beef tongue tacos.
- Rinse the tongue: Rinse the beef tongue under cold water.
- Place in the pot: Place the cleaned beef tongue in a large pot and add enough water to cover it completely. Add quartered onion, crushed garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and salt to the pot for added flavor.
- Simmer until tender: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for about 3 hours. The tongue should become tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Peel the tongue: Remove the cooked tongue from the pot and allow it to cool slightly. While the tongue is still warm, carefully peel off the tough outer skin.
- Dice into pieces: Once cooled enough to handle, dice the tongue into small pieces.
- Sear the tongue: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add a little oil to the skillet and sear the diced tongue until lightly browned.
- Warm the tortillas: Warm the tortillas in a skillet or a microwave.
- Assemble the tacos: Fill each warm tortilla with a generous portion of the diced tongue.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve the tacos alongside fresh cilantro leaves, finely diced onion, lime wedges, salsa, and diced avocado.
What Are Tacos de Lengua Made of?
Tacos de lengua is a delicious, traditional Mexican dish made with beef tongue that’s braised with garlic, onions, and herbs. Once cooked, it’s served in soft tacos alongside cilantro, chopped onion, avocados, and a dash of fresh lime.
Can I use Flour Tortillas Instead of Corn Tortillas?
You can use either flour or corn tortillas for this Mexican beef tongue recipe. While corn tortillas are more authentic, the choice comes down to personal preference.
Can I Cook the Tongue in a Slow Cooker or Pressure Cooker?
Absolutely! To cook beef tongue in the slow cooker, put the tongue, vegetables, herbs, and water in the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours. In the pressure cooker, repeat the same process but, instead, cook on high pressure for 1 hour.
Enjoy the Perfect Tacos With Seven Sons Grass-Fed Beef
Our beef tongue comes from 100% grass-fed and finished cattle, ensuring the highest quality and taste. Whether you’re trying tacos de lengua for the first time or want to recreate an old favorite, this recipe is sure to impress!
Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it turned out in the comments below.
