Melt-in-your-mouth beef (cow) tongue (Lengua in Spanish) prepared in Instant Pot (pressure cooker). Easy, basic recipe for a quick hands-free meal that can be enjoyed as appetizer or main masterpiece.
Today we are making a lovely meal – beef (cow) tongue (or lengua in Spanish cuisine). Eating animals head-to-toe has its historic significance in many European countries. Up to this day many Europeans, including myself, enjoy eating beef tongue in a variety of ways. Sometimes sautéed in butter, other times with horseradish sauce or braised in tomato sauce. Always delicious, if you are a fan of the taste. My grandpa’s favorite meal was boiled tongue with potatoes on the side. As simple as that.
In the past, my grandparents would just boil tongue in water on the stove for hours at a time. Today, I prepare it in my Instant Pot pro – to make life a bit easier (and quicker). Let me show you how I make it. Want to make it taste even better? Here’s a super simple recipe for pan-seared butter-beef tongue.
Cooking beef tongue may seem intimidating, but with the help of a pressure cooker, you can achieve fall-apart tender tongue in no time. The key is knowing how long to cook beef tongue in a pressure cooker. Follow this guide for perfect results every time.
Why Cook Beef Tongue In A Pressure Cooker?
A pressure cooker is the ideal way to cook tough cuts of meat like beef tongue. The pressurized environment allows the meat to become very tender in a shorter cooking time. The moist heat ensures the tongue stays juicy and does not dry out.
Cooking tongue in a pressure cooker also infuses it with lots of flavor. The spices, herbs, vegetables and cooking liquid all penetrate the meat resulting in a more intense, robust taste.
How Long Does It Take To Cook Beef Tongue In A Pressure Cooker?
Cooking time can vary slightly depending on the size and thickness of the beef tongue, but here are general guidelines:
- For a 1-2 pound tongue, cook for 30-40 minutes
- For a 2-3 pound tongue, cook for 45-60 minutes
- For a 3-4 pound tongue, cook for 60-75 minutes
To ensure food safety, I recommend cooking tongue for at least 60 minutes even if it’s on the smaller side. This guarantees it reaches the minimum safe internal temperature.
Always check your pressure cooker’s manual as cook times can vary across models. Also adjust cooking time up if you’re cooking at higher altitudes.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked pressure cooker beef tongue
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Rinse the tongue and pat dry. Give it a good rinse under cool running water and pat dry with paper towels.
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Peel off outer skin. Use a sharp knife to carefully peel off the outer skin covering the tongue.
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Trim excess fat. Trim off any large excess pieces of fat, but leave some for moisture and flavor.
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Season the tongue. Rub the tongue all over with salt, pepper and other desired seasonings like garlic powder or paprika.
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Add tongue to pressure cooker. Place seasoned tongue in pressure cooker pot along with 1 cup beef broth or water.
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Pressure cook. Lock the lid and cook on high pressure for recommended time based on tongue size.
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Quick release pressure. Once cook time is complete, quickly release pressure according to manufacturer’s directions.
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Check for doneness. Tongue should be very fork tender when fully cooked. If needed, cook for 5-10 more minutes.
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Remove and rest. Use tongs to transfer cooked tongue to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
And that’s it! With this simple process you’ll have the most tender, flavorful pressure cooker beef tongue to enjoy.
Tips For Best Results
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Choose fresh beef tongue and cook it within 2 days of purchasing for best flavor and texture.
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Add aromatics like onions, carrots, celery and garlic to the pot to boost flavor.
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Use a natural release rather than quick release if you have time. This allows the meat to continue cooking gently as pressure releases.
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Let the cooked tongue rest at least 10 minutes before slicing so juices can redistribute.
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Slice the tongue across the grain for a more tender bite.
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Store leftover cooked tongue in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days.
Serving Ideas For Cooked Beef Tongue
Once you’ve mastered cooking beef tongue in the pressure cooker, you can start getting creative with how to use it! Here are some tasty ways to serve up this unique cut of meat:
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Thinly sliced in sandwiches and wraps
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Diced and added to tacos or burritos
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Shredded and used in chili, stews or soups
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Sliced and served with horseradish cream sauce or chimichurri
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Cubed and skewered for appetizers
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Chopped and mixed into hash or eggs for breakfast
With the simple cooking method above, you’ll be ready to enjoy delicious beef tongue meals any night of the week. Trust your pressure cooker to deliver tender, flavorful results in record time. Dig in and savor the unique texture and taste of this amazing yet underrated cut of meat.
What to serve with beef tongue?
I prefer to serve it with a vegetable side or a simple salad. Here are a few suggestions from my kitchen:
How to cook beef tongue in IP/pressure cooker?
1st: Place beef tongue and all ingredients in IP pot. Pressure cook and let natural release of steam.
2nd: Remove tongue from water and let cool. Peel skin off and enjoy as is, or use for another meal.
How to cook beef tongue in a pressure cooker
FAQ
How long do you cook beef in a pressure cooker?
How long does it take for a tongue to be cooked?
How long does meat take to cook in a pressure cooker?
How long does it take for meat to become tender in a pressure cooker?
How long do you cook beef tongue in a pressure cooker?
Secure the lid on the pressure cooker and set it to high pressure. Cook the beef tongue for approximately 45 minutes per pound. For a 2-3 pound tongue, this will be around 1.5 to 2 hours. Once the cooking time is up, carefully release the pressure from the cooker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
How to cook beef tongue in Instant Pot?
This is an extremely easy pressure cooker lengua recipe that you can slice up for sandwiches or make into Beef Tongue Tacos. Place one cup of water in bottom of Instant Pot. Place beef tongue on top of the water. Cover tongue with chopped red onion and garlic. Turn Instant Pot on MANUAL HIGH for 90 minutes. Allow to naturally release the pressure.
How long does it take to cook a beef tongue?
Coking time varies from 45 to 55 minutes, depending on the thickness and weight of the tongue. I had an almost 4 lb one so i cooked it under pressure on manual for 50 minutes and it was perfectly done. The skin peeled easily and the meat was very very tender and juicy. With the beef tongue this big most likely you will have leftovers.
How do you cook tongue in a pressure cooker?
Put the tongue plus a peeled, roughly chopped onion and carrot into your pressure cooker. Add a bay leaf or two and a few peppercorns. Add a teaspoon of salt. The tongue will look strange and unappetizing because it will still have its thick skin on. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of that once it’s cooked.