Close your eyes and think of liver and onions. Did you picture your grandma’s kitchen table like me? Did your stomach growl, or did you involuntarily shiver?.
It doesn’t matter if you like the taste of beef liver or not; eating this organ meat is a great way to get B vitamins, trace minerals, and phytonutrients.
You can get more liver even if you don’t like the taste. Learn how to make your own superfood liver “supplement.” Find out how to freeze cooked liver for the best results and how to make it my favorite way: as homemade liver supplements.
A lot of people around the world have eaten beef liver for a long time, but it’s only recently started to become popular again in Western diets.
If you think it’s smart to “eat what your great-grandma ate,” you’ll be more excited to start eating liver.
But because liver has a strong metallic taste and a very smooth texture, some people might not like eating it raw.
You can try making liver supplements if this sounds like you. No, I’m not talking about drying liver and turning it into powder and capsules; I’m talking about something much easier. We’ll talk about how to cook liver, cut it into “pill-sized” pieces, and freeze them so you can eat them whenever you want.
Beef liver is a nutrient-dense superfood that deserves a place in any healthy diet. Packed with protein, iron, copper, choline, and vitamin B12, beef liver provides a powerhouse of nutrition. However, not everyone is a fan of the distinctive taste and texture of liver. If you want to gain the benefits of beef liver without eating it plain, freezing cooked beef liver gives you options. Read on to learn if you can freeze cooked beef liver, how long it lasts, and helpful tips for preparing and storing your frozen liver supplements.
Can You Freeze Cooked Beef Liver?
The short answer is yes, absolutely! Freezing cooked beef liver is a great way to preserve it so you can enjoy its nutritional benefits later. When freezing liver, it’s crucial to store it properly to prevent freezer burn. Place the cooked liver in airtight containers or freezer bags, pressing out excess air. Label the container with the date for freshness tracking. Frozen liver keeps for 2-3 months before quality loss.
Freezing stops bacteria growth, but doesn’t kill bacteria already present. So cook liver thoroughly to 160°F internal temperature before freezing for food safety.
How Should I Store Frozen Liver?
To retain quality texture and flavor, follow these tips for freezing cooked beef liver:
- Allow liver to cool completely before freezing.
- Pat liver dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Moisture causes ice crystals during freezing.
- Portion liver into airtight containers, bags, or wraps. Remove as much air as possible.
- Label liver packages with type and freeze date.
- Store liver in coldest part of freezer, like the back.
With proper storage, cooked beef liver keeps 3-4 months in the freezer. For best quality, use within 2-3 months.
Can I Refreeze Liver after Thawing?
Food safety experts caution against refreezing any thawed meat, including beef liver. When food thaws and refreezes, the texture suffers from larger ice crystals. Refreezing also increases the risk of bacterial growth. For best quality and safety, cook frozen liver directly after thawing.
Can I Freeze Liver in Recipes or Marinades?
Yes, beef liver freezes well in recipes. Try freezing cooked liver mixed into stews, casseroles, liver pâté, or with onions and gravy. Package recipe portions into freezer-safe containers with minimal air exposure. Label recipes with ingredients and dates.
Marinated liver also freezes successfully Always thaw and cook marinated liver fully before refreezing leftovers,
Should I Defrost Liver before Cooking?
For food safety, it’s best to thaw frozen liver in the refrigerator before cooking, or cook it directly from frozen. Never thaw liver at room temperature. Refrigerator thawing takes 8-12 hours for a 1-lb package.
To speed thawing, place frozen liver in a water-tight plastic bag and submerge in cold water. Change water every 30 minutes until liver thaws. Cook immediately after thawing. Microwaving to thaw is not recommended.
Tips for Cooking Frozen Liver
- Increase oven temp 25°F if baking frozen liver.
- Add 2-3 extra minutes to pan frying time if liver is frozen.
- For soups or stews, simply drop frozen liver pieces into the hot liquid.
- Pressure cook frozen liver using natural release method for 5 minutes.
Cook thawed or frozen liver to 160°F internal temperature. Check temperature with a food thermometer for safety.
Make Your Own Frozen Liver Supplements
If you dislike the taste of plain liver turn it into DIY frozen liver pills! Cook cool, and freeze liver in bite-size pieces. Swallow a few frozen pieces at a time like supplements. This gives you an easy way to gain the nutrients of beef liver without the strong flavor.
How Much Frozen Liver to Eat Daily?
Aim for about 4-6 thumb-sized pieces of frozen liver daily. This equals around 20 grams of cooked liver. At this amount, you’ll gain:
- 12% Daily Value of iron
- 250% DV of vitamin B12
- 150% DV of vitamin A
- 250% DV of copper
Along with high-quality protein, choline, and other trace minerals. Always consult your doctor before making major dietary changes. But beef liver is one of the most nutritious superfoods to include in your routine.
The Takeaway – Freeze Liver for Nutrition and Convenience
Freezing cooked beef liver helps make this superfood more convenient and budget-friendly. Follow proper storage methods to retain quality and safety. Thaw liver safely before cooking, or cook directly from frozen. Consider making batches of frozen liver supplements for an easy nutrition boost. Incorporate small amounts of frozen liver into your diet to gain all the benefits of its protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Frequency of Entities:
can: 11
you: 36
freeze: 16
cooked: 14
beef: 12
liver: 55
Flash Freezing Liver and Portioning into Supplements
When the liver is cool enough to touch, put it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Pop it into the freezer for a couple of hours until frozen hard.
Once it’s hardened, it will be easier to cut it into slices for your DIY liver supplements.
Cut the liver into small pieces, no bigger than ¼ inch. Try to make them easy to swallow by cutting them into “pill-sized” pieces. ”).
Cooking and Cooling Liver
What’s the best way to cook liver? There are many ways to do it, but for making homemade liver supplements, pan-frying and Instant Pot are two of the easiest.
- Option 1: Pan fry:Heat a frying pan to medium-high heat. Put the liver in the pan after adding the butter, ghee, or oil. Sprinkle with good-quality sea salt. It should be cooked for three to four minutes on each side until it’s medium well and the liver is just barely pink inside. Once the liver is cool enough, remove it from the pan and move on to the next step.
- Option 2: Instant PotPressure cook on high for 5 minutes. After that, wait at least 10 minutes and let the pressure go away on its own. Once the liver is cool enough, take it out of the Instant Pot and move on to the next step.
For the best taste and to prevent that metallic aftertaste, I recommend cooking liver to medium well. If you cook liver for too long, it will become dry and taste more metallic because the iron is concentrated and most of the water is cooked out.
(Please also note that food safety recommendations dictate cooking liver to a safe temperature, or well done. For liver and other organ meats, this would be an internal temperature of 160°F. As with any meat, there is an increased risk of foodborne illness from consuming raw or undercooked meat. ).
For medium well, the color of the liver should be ever-so-slightly pink inside. For well done, the liver should be completely brown inside.
How to store cooked beef liver
FAQ
Is it okay to freeze cooked liver?
How long does cooked liver last in the fridge?
Why can’t you freeze the liver?
How do you reheat frozen cooked liver?
Can you freeze cooked beef liver?
When freezing cooked beef liver, it’s important to store it in an airtight container or freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. This will help maintain the quality and flavor of the liver. It’s also a good idea to label the container with the date it was frozen, so you can keep track of how long it has been in the freezer.
Can cooked liver be frozen?
Cooked liver can be safely stored in the freezer for up to three months. 2. How do you freeze cooked liver? To freeze cooked liver, allow it to cool completely before packaging it in an airtight container or freezer bag. Make sure to remove any excess air to prevent freezer burn. 3. Can you freeze liver pate? Yes, liver pate can be frozen.
Can you freeze cooked lamb liver?
Uncooked lambs liver can be frozen for around 3 months. Pop it into a freezer bag, then seal it up, removing as much air as possible. Avoid freezing cooked lambs liver, however. Can You Freeze Beef Liver? Yes, you can freeze beef and calves liver for around 3 months.
Can Beef liver be refrigerated?
For best results, store the liver in the unopened packaging that it came in. It can be also frozen and thawed in this packaging. Once cooked, beef liver can then be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It is not recommended that you reheat the liver. How Long Can I Keep Raw Liver In The Fridge?