Description
Authentic Mexican Tacos de Lengua, made with slow-cooked beef tongue, served in warm corn tortillas with onions, cilantro, salsa, and lime. This traditional dish is known for its tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture and deep, rich flavors, making it a favorite among taco lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Beef Tongue:
- 1 whole beef tongue (3–4 lbs.)
- 1 onion (quartered)
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cumin (optional)
- Water (enough to fully cover the tongue)
For the Tacos:
- 12 corn tortillas
- 1 small onion (diced)
- Fresh cilantro (chopped)
- Salsa verde or salsa roja
- Lime wedges
- Radishes or pickled jalapeños (optional)
Instructions
- Clean the Beef Tongue – Rinse the beef tongue under cold water to remove any impurities. Scrub lightly if needed.
- Cook the Beef Tongue – Place the beef tongue in a large pot with onion, garlic, bay leaves, black peppercorns, cumin, and salt. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 3-4 hours until tender.
- Peel the Outer Skin – Remove the tongue from the pot and let it rest for 10–15 minutes. Peel off the tough outer skin and discard.
- Chop or Slice the Meat – Dice or slice the beef tongue into small pieces. Sauté in a pan with oil for crispy edges, if desired.
- Assemble the Tacos – Warm the corn tortillas, then fill each with beef tongue, diced onions, fresh cilantro, and salsa. Serve with lime wedges and optional toppings like radishes or pickled jalapeños.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use beef broth instead of water when cooking the tongue.
- For a smoky taste, grill the beef tongue after boiling.
- Store leftover beef tongue in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 224 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Tacos de Lengua, Beef Tongue Tacos, Mexican Street Food, Authentic Mexican Tacos, Slow Cooked Beef Tongue, Mexican Cuisine