Turkey liver with onions, apples, and mashed potatoes is the most delicious way to cook turkey liver. Serve it with creamy mashed potatoes.
You have some turkey liver, and you dont know what to do with it? Learn how to cook turkey liver in the simplest and most delicious way. It is crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and ready in less than 10 minutes. For a change, you will need more time to cook the sides than the main.
Ive been buying a turkey from a farmer in the village every year now for quite a long time. Every year, in November, I spend hours dividing a huge bird (this year, it weighed 26 kg/ 57 lbs) into manageable portions, which I then freeze.
And the first things I cook with parts of that bird are the livers and a turkey bone broth with some of the bones.
Turkey liver is an underutilized yet delicious and nutritious part of the bird. However, improperly cooked liver can turn out rubbery and unpalatable. The key is knowing exactly how long to boil turkey liver to achieve fork-tender texture and avoid overcooking.
At my website, we tested different boiling times to determine the ideal duration for tender turkey liver. In this article, I’ll share everything we learned. I’ll cover the benefits of turkey liver, prep tips, step-by-step boiling instructions, exact times, doneness tests, serving suggestions, and storage guidelines.
Follow these tips for flawlessly cooked turkey liver every time!
Why Cook Turkey Liver?
Before jumping into the how-to let’s overview the health and nutrition benefits that make turkey liver worth cooking
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Nutrient-dense – Packed with protein, iron, vitamin A, folate, copper and more. Much higher nutrition than turkey breast.
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Budget-friendly – As an organ meat, costs a fraction of breast or thigh.
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Sustainable – Uses more of the animal rather than just muscle meats.
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Versatile – Works in appetizers mains pâtés, and more.
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Satisfying flavor – When cooked right, turkey liver has a rich, meaty taste.
Choosing Fresh Livers
Success starts with selecting high-quality fresh livers. Here’s what to look for:
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Freshness – Raw livers should appear moist with no dry spots. Avoid slimy or foul smelling.
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Color – Opt for deep burgundy red without brown/grey spots.
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Size – Medium livers around 1⁄2 pound are best. Large ones can be tough.
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Weight – Choose livers that feel heavy for their size. Light ones are often mushy.
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Packaging – Livers in their own packaging stay fresher than when bundled.
Prep Work for Clean Livers
Proper prep is key for clean, tender livers:
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Rinse – Wash under cold water to remove blood and bacteria. Pat dry.
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Trim – Cut away any membranes, discolored parts or green bile deposits.
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Halve – Cut larger livers in half horizontally for even cooking.
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Soak (optional) – Soaking 30 mins in milk/buttermilk reduces strong flavor.
Step-by-Step Boiling Method
Here is our foolproof process for perfectly boiled turkey liver:
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Use a large pot – Livers need room to move freely while boiling.
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Cover with cold water – Submerge livers by 1-2 inches.
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Bring to a boil – Boil rapidly over high heat for tenderness.
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Reduce heat – Lower to a gentle simmer once boiling.
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Cook covered – Retains moisture and cooks faster.
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Flip halfway – Gently turn livers using tongs midway through.
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Check doneness – Pierce to test tenderness as time elapses.
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Avoid overcooking – Remove immediately once fork tender.
Boiling Times for Proper Doneness
The precise boiling time depends on liver size and desired doneness:
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Small livers cut in half: 12-15 minutes
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Medium-large whole livers: 15-20 minutes
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Extra large whole livers: 20-25 minutes
General doneness tests:
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Halved small livers: Tender throughout
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Medium livers: Tender with slight pink center
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Large livers: Fully cooked through without pink
When unsure, slice livers open to inspect internal color. Any pink means cook longer. Dry, crumbling meat is overdone.
Pro Tips for Flawless Turkey Livers
Use these expert tips for guaranteed tender and juicy boiled livers:
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Dry thoroughly before boiling so livers sear instead of steaming.
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Season the water with salt, aromatics like onion, and spices like bay leaves.
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Make small slits in livers before boiling so seasonings penetrate better.
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Use a simmer screen for even cooking of tapered whole livers.
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Add acid like lemon juice at the end for extra tenderizing if needed.
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Avoid aluminum pots which can discolor livers. Stainless steel is best.
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Chill in ice water after cooking to halt carryover cooking.
Serving and Storing Boiled Livers
With perfectly cooked livers ready, here’s how to serve and store:
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Slice livers and serve with onions sautéed in boil liquid for extra flavor.
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Mash livers and mix with herbs, spices, butter or brandy for pâté.
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Chop livers and fold into cheese fillings like ricotta or mascarpone for pasta.
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Refrigerate leftover livers in their liquid up to 3 days.
Now you have all the secrets for flawlessly tender boiled turkey livers every time. Follow this complete guide to enjoy their full nutrition, rich flavor, and budget-friendly savings. Never over or undercook these tasty offal again!
Cooking times for turkey liver
- It is all about the thickness; this is the most important thing you have to know. It doesnt matter how large it is, just how thick.
- You will only have to cook it for a few minutes, about 2 minutes for a regular-sized one and 3 for something as thick as I had.
- The livers I had were about as large as ¾ of my hand and about 4.5-5 cm/ 1.8-2 inches thick at their thickest part. I cooked them for exactly 3 minutes per side and had them crispy and dark on the outside and tender and slightly pink on the inside.
- Some people like them slightly bloody, but I am not into that. Slightly pink is just the way I like them.
- If you like them cooked through, add another 30 seconds to 1 minute to the cooking time. However, keep in mind that if the liver is overcooked, it will become tough and chewy. And so dry you will have difficulties swallowing it.
- Pat dry and sprinkle with flour to coat.
- Pat or shake gently to remove the excess flour.
- Heat the oil (or fat) in a nonstick or cast-iron pan.
- Fry on one side for 3 minutes, flip and cook for another 3 minutes. Read the above for more information regarding cooking times.
- Flour the livers before frying them. About 1 tablespoon of flour would be enough; coat them and then pat them gently to remove the excess. The flour will make them nice and crispy.
- Only season them after cooking.
- Many people soak beef or pork liver in milk before cooking to remove the bitterness. This is not necessary when cooking turkey or chicken liver; they are not bitter at all. And they are much more tender than any other kind.
- As preparing the liver only takes minutes, start with cooking the onions and apples. And with the mashed potatoes.
How to make onions and apples for liver?
This is a typical German way of serving liver, calf, or beef liver, actually. But it works just as well (if not even better) with turkey (or chicken).
- Start with the mashed potatoes, as they will need to cook longer than the vegetables.
- Quarter the onions and slice the quarters thinly. Quarter and slice the apples as well. You will need tart, crisp apples. (1)
- Heat the oil in a large pan. You can also use rendered turkey fat if you have any. Or any other kind of rendered fat.
- Cook the onions and the apples on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes. (2)
- Add stock, red wine, a little cream, salt, and pepper. (3)
- Cover and cook gently for about 10 minutes until the onions are soft. (4)
- Remove the lid, increase the heat to medium, and cook for about 2 minutes more to allow the liquids to cook off slightly.
- Adjust the taste with salt and pepper, and keep warm while you cook the liver.
Pan-fried Turkey Liver
FAQ
How long does it take to boil turkey livers?
Soak the liver into water/milk for 1 hour. Then rinse it out and cook it in salted boiling water for 40 minutes.
How long should liver be boiled for?
Soak the beef liver for 20–30 minutes before cooking and then rinse it thoroughly. COOKING: Add it to boiling water. Cook for 40 minutes on low heat.
How long to boil turkey liver for dogs?
3 Easy Ways to Cook Liver for Your Dog | How To Cook Liver For Dog Food | How To Cook Liver For A Dog. Boiling is a simple and nutrient-preserving method. Place liver in boiling water for 15 minutes or until fully cooked. Once cool, cut into bite-sized pieces or serve as is for a nutritious, easy-to-eat treat.
How long does it take to boil turkey giblets?
Do you boil the giblets? Yes, you have to boil the giblets and neck to cook them before you start making the gravy. They simmer in water for about an hour.Sep 20, 2024
How long do you boil Turkey heart & liver?
Additionally, if you’re using the heart and liver as a base for stuffing, you can boil them for 15-20 minutes to ensure they are thoroughly cooked before combining them with other ingredients. Remember, the key to cooking turkey heart and liver is to always ensure they are fully cooked before consuming.
How do you cook a Turkey liver in a pan?
Pan-frying is one of the quickest and easiest ways to prepare turkey liver. It takes just 3-5 minutes total. Pat livers dry and season liberally with salt and pepper. Dredge in flour for a crispy texture. Heat 1 Tbsp oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add livers and fry for 2-3 minutes per side until browned.
How do you cook Turkey liver on a grill?
Grilling imparts a smoky flavor to turkey liver. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Brush the liver with oil and season it with your favorite herbs and spices. Grill for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Baking: Baking is a gentler cooking method that results in moist and tender liver. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
How to serve boiled turkey heart & liver?
Tips for Serving Boiled Turkey Heart and Liver: 1. Presentation is Key – When serving boiled turkey heart and liver, presentation plays a crucial role. You can slice the heart and liver and serve it on a platter with a garnish such as parsley or lemon wedges.
How long do you boil heart & liver?
If you’re making soup or stew, you can boil the heart and liver for up to 1 hour to infuse the flavors into the broth. Additionally, if you’re using the heart and liver as a base for stuffing, you can boil them for 15-20 minutes to ensure they are thoroughly cooked before combining them with other ingredients.
How long does it take to boil Turkey Neck & Giblet broth?
Use broth to make gravy, moisten stuffing or add to soup. This simple yet flavorful turkey neck and giblet broth takes advantage of oft unused parts of the bird. With the proper 45 minute to 1 hour boil time, you can extract maximum flavor to enhance your holiday recipes.