Tacos de Lengua

Name: Tacos de Lengua (Authentic Braised Beef Tongue)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 20 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
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

Tacos de Lengua are an authentic Mexican dish featuring tender braised beef tongue with a rich, delicate flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. The tongue is slow-cooked with garlic, onions, and bay leaves, then served in soft corn tortillas with fresh cilantro, diced onion, avocado, and lime.

🌍Mexican 🏷️Beef tongue 🏷️Tacos 🏷️Lengua 🏷️Authentic 🏷️Braised

Total

3h 20m

Servings

8

Difficulty

Expert

Est. Cost

$26–$43

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Seven Sons Farms

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

14 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Rinse the tongue: Rinse the beef tongue under cold water.
2
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.
3
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.
4
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.
5
Dice into pieces: Once cooled enough to handle, dice the tongue into small pieces.
6
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.
7
Warm the tortillas: Warm the tortillas in a skillet or a microwave.
8
Assemble the tacos: Fill each warm tortilla with a generous portion of the diced tongue.
9
Serve and enjoy: Serve the tacos alongside fresh cilantro leaves, finely diced onion, lime wedges, salsa, and diced avocado.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Don't skip rinsing and peeling the tongue after cooking—the outer layer is tough and flavorless; it should peel away easily once braised.
Keep the braising liquid simmering gently, not boiling hard, to ensure the meat stays tender and doesn't dry out over 2–3 hours.
Slice or shred the tongue against the grain for maximum tenderness and a better eating experience in the taco.
Warm your corn tortillas directly over a gas flame or in a dry skillet just before serving to make them pliable and enhance their flavor.

Substitutions

Beef tongue → beef brisket or beef chuck (braising time and texture will differ; brisket may take longer)
Corn tortillas → flour tortillas (less traditional but acceptable; adjust cooking time if homemade)

Storage & make-ahead

Store braised tongue in its braising liquid in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop before serving.

Common Questions

How long does beef tongue take to cook?

Beef tongue typically requires 2–3 hours of braising to become tender enough to shred easily. Meat should be fork-tender and the skin should peel away cleanly when done.

Do I need to clean or peel beef tongue before cooking?

Yes, rinse the tongue thoroughly under cold water. After braising, the outer skin peels away easily—use a knife to remove any remaining rough patches before slicing or shredding.

Can I make the braised tongue ahead of time?

Yes. Cook and cool the tongue completely, then refrigerate in its braising liquid for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop before shredding and serving.

What's the best way to serve tacos de lengua?

Serve warm shredded tongue in soft corn tortillas with diced onion, fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, and lime wedges. Offer salsa and additional toppings on the side.

Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn?

Corn tortillas are traditional and pair better with the rich beef flavor, but flour tortillas work if preferred. Warm tortillas before serving for the best texture.