This Crock Pot Beef Tongue is a tender and flavorful recipe, which includes beef tongue, garlic, and onion. It’s a straightforward recipe, perfect for trying something different with rich flavor and ready in about 8 hours and 5 minutes.
Crock Pot Beef Tongue Ingredients
- 1 beef tongue
- ½ onion
- 2 cloves garlic, or more to taste
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter
How To Make Crock Pot Beef Tongue
- Prepare the slow cooker: Place beef tongue, onion, garlic, and bay leaf in the crock pot. Season generously with salt and cover with water.
- Cook until tender: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
- Peel the tongue: Transfer beef tongue to a cutting board, let cool slightly, then peel off the outer skin and trim the rough end.
- Chop the meat: Slice the beef tongue into bite-sized pieces.
- Finish in skillet: Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped tongue and cook 5–10 minutes until tender, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Recipe Tips
- How do I know when beef tongue is done? The tongue should be fork-tender and easy to peel after slow cooking.
- Can I add more flavor while cooking? Yes, add carrots, celery, or extra spices to the crock pot broth.
- What’s the best way to peel beef tongue? Let it cool slightly so it’s easy to handle, then peel while still warm.
- Can I use the broth? Yes, strain and use as a base for soups or stews—it’s rich and flavorful.
- How to make it crispy: After slicing, sear the meat longer in butter until lightly browned.
What To Serve With Crock Pot Beef Tongue
This dish pairs well with simple sides or traditional accompaniments:
- Mashed potatoes
- Rice or cauliflower rice
- Corn tortillas (for tacos)
- Pickled onions or salsa verde
- Steamed vegetables
How To Store Crock Pot Beef Tongue
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Freeze chopped tongue in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating in a skillet.
Crock Pot Beef Tongue Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 492
- Fat: 39g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Cholesterol: 224mg
- Sodium: 123mg
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 32g
- Vitamin C: 3mg
- Calcium: 14mg
- Iron: 4mg
- Potassium: 323mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
What does beef tongue taste like? Beef tongue is mild, tender, and similar to roast beef with a rich texture.
Can I make beef tongue in advance? Yes, it can be cooked, peeled, and stored in the fridge to reheat later.
Can I shred beef tongue instead of chopping it? Yes, once cooked, it can be shredded for tacos, sandwiches, or rice bowls.
Why is my beef tongue tough? It likely wasn’t cooked long enough. Keep slow cooking until it’s fork-tender.
Try More Recipes:
- Crock Pot Beef Tips With Gravy
- Crock Pot Beef Tips With Cream Of Mushroom Soup
- Crock Pot Beef Tips And Rice Recipe
Crock Pot Beef Tongue
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings5
minutes8
hours492
kcalA tender, slow-cooked beef tongue recipe with garlic and onion, finished in a skillet with butter for rich flavor.
Ingredients
1 beef tongue
½ onion
2 cloves garlic, or more to taste
1 bay leaf
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon butter
Directions
- Place beef tongue, onion, garlic, bay leaf, and salt in crock pot. Cover with water.
- Cook on low for 8 hours.
- Remove, cool slightly, peel skin, and trim end.
- Chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Heat butter in skillet and cook chopped tongue 5–10 minutes until tender. Season with salt and pepper.
