Turkey liver recipe with onions is a super easy and delicious way to enjoy liver. Pan-fried turkey liver is sauteed with sweet caramelized onions and garlic and then gently cooked with a super simple white wine sauce. Served with mashed potatoes this easy dinner comes together in under 20 minutes!
Have some turkey liver that youre not sure what to do with it? Or are you simply looking for an enjoyable way to add more liver to your familys diet? This pan-fried turkey liver and onions recipe is not only tasty but very simple to make in just a few minutes with a handful of ingredients.
Onions and garlic are often cooked with liver to take down its strong earthy and metallic flavor. While turkey livers do not have as strong of a liver flavor like beef or lamb livers, the addition of sweet caramelized onions really adds so much flavor and depth to this dish.
Its a healthy and comforting turkey liver recipe that is very tender and juicy that can be served with almost anything.
Turkey liver and onions is a super easy and delicious way to enjoy liver. Pan-fried turkey liver is sauteed with sweet caramelized onions and garlic and then gently cooked with a super simple white wine sauce. Served with mashed potatoes this easy dinner comes together in under 20 minutes!
Store the cooked turkey liver in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating in a microwave, place the liver on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a microwave lid or another plate to retain moisture, and heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, checking for warmth between each interval to prevent overcooking.
Remove Sinews: Before cooking, its crucial to clean the turkey liver by removing any visible sinews or membranes. This ensures a smoother and more enjoyable texture when cooked. Using a sharp knife, trim away any tough or whitish parts before proceeding to cook.
Avoid High Heat: While a quick sear is essential, exposing the liver to extremely high heat can cause it to toughen quickly. Use a medium to medium-high heat for best results.
As Thanksgiving approaches, many home cooks are faced with the same question – what do I do with the turkey liver that came in my bird? Turkey liver is often overlooked and discarded, but this nutritious organ can be transformed into tasty dishes with a bit of creativity.
In this article, I’ll share 10 delicious ways to cook turkey liver so you can take advantage of this healthy, budget-friendly ingredient. From pâté to stir-fry, read on for inspiration!
Why You Should Eat Turkey Liver
First, let’s go over why you shouldn’t immediately toss the liver from your turkey:
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It’s packed with nutrients like iron copper, vitamins A and B12. Ounce for ounce it contains more nutrients than muscle meat.
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Turkey liver has a milder taste than beef or lamb liver, making it more approachable if you’re new to organ meats.
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It’s inexpensive, especially compared to pricier cuts of meat.
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Cooking and eating the whole bird reduces waste It’s a sustainable choice
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Turkey liver is versatile and can be used in many types of dishes.
So don’t let that liver go to waste – here are 10 great ways to cook it up!
1. Smooth Turkey Liver Pâté
For an easy appetizer, blend cooked turkey liver with butter, brandy, herbs, and seasonings to make a luxurious spread. Enjoy on crackers or baguette slices.
2. Pan-Fried Turkey Liver with Onions and Bacon
Sautéing liver in butter or oil creates a crispy exterior while keeping the interior tender. Served with caramelized onions and bacon, it makes a classic liver and onions dish.
3.Turkey Liver Stir-Fry
Thinly slice the liver and stir-fry quickly with vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and snap peas. Toss in soy sauce, ginger, and honey for flavor.
4. Dirty Rice with Turkey Liver
Boost the flavor of Cajun dirty rice by browning turkey liver pieces along with the Trinity of onion, celery, and bell pepper before adding the rice.
5. Turkey Liver Tacos
For a fun twist, season diced liver with Mexican spices like chili powder and cumin, then serve in soft corn tortillas topped with salsa and cilantro.
6. Turkey Liver Crostini
Chopped turkey liver served atop crispy toasted bread or crackers makes an elegant appetizer. Garnish with fig jam or caramelized onions.
7. Turkey Liver Curry
Simmer bite-size liver pieces in an aromatic curry sauce with vegetables and serve over rice for a unique flavor combo.
8. Grilled Turkey Liver Skewers
Alternate liver cubes with veggies like mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and pineapple on skewers for a tasty grilled appetizer.
9. Chopped Turkey Liver Spread
Quickly sauté liver and onion, then blend with hard boiled egg and seasonings to make a smooth, classic chopped liver dip or sandwich filling.
10. Hearty Turkey Liver Stew
Stew cubed turkey liver low and slow with vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes for a comforting one-pot meal.
Cooking Tips for Turkey Liver
Follow these tips for delicious turkey liver every time:
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Choose livers that are firm and deep red with no odor. Rinse well.
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Remove the thin outer membrane for better texture.
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Cook quickly over high heat to avoid toughness.
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Pair with onions, mushrooms, bacon, butter, and brandy.
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Add to stuffing or use in gravies for extra flavor.
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Store in fridge for 1-2 days or freeze for later use.
The Takeaway on Turkey Livers
As you can see, turkey livers are extremely versatile. With a mild taste and meaty texture, they make a nutritious and delicious addition to many dishes.
This Thanksgiving when you get your turkey, set those livers aside and try one of these 10 inventive recipes. Your cooking will be more sustainable, nutritious, budget-friendly, and flavorful.
So embrace the whole bird this holiday season. With a bit of creativity, turkey liver can transform from obscure organ into a tasty culinary treat.
How to make this turkey liver recipe
As always, first you will need the recipe ingredients list and then i will provide you with a detailed step by step instructions.
Turkey liver. 1lb of turkey livers thoroughly cleaned, making sure to remove any membranes or connective tissue with a sharp knife. Turkey liver is much more tender and mildly flavored than either beef or lamb livers, so its a great choice if you are new to eating organ meat.
Onions and garlic. These aromatics are a great way to mellow out the natural bold taste of the liver while adding delicious savory and sweet flavors.
Olive oil. Used to fry the turkey livers and aromatics.
White wine. Used to create a flavorful sauce. Make sure to use a wine you enjoy the flavor of because it will flavor the whole dish.
Fresh parsley. Used for garnish to add a refreshing brightness to the livers.
Take turkey livers and rinse them under cool running water. After youve rinsed them, pat them dry with paper towel. If you see any stringy bits or connective tissues on the livers, use a small knife or your fingers to take them off.
Now, grab an onion and peel it. After peeling, cut it into very thin slices. Then, take a garlic clove, peel it too, and finely chop it up until its in tiny pieces.
Find a large frying pan or skillet. Pour some olive oil into it. Turn on your stove to a medium setting. Once the oil feels warm when you place your hand over the pan (but not too hot!), add the sliced onions and the chopped garlic.
Gently stir them around using a spatula or spoon. Keep doing this for about 5-7 minutes. Youll know theyre ready when the onions look see-through and feel soft when you poke them.
Next, turn up the stoves heat a little bit, to medium-high. Add the turkey livers to the skillet. Move them around in the pan for about 5 minutes or until you see theyve turned brown all over.
After the livers have browned, pour some white wine into the skillet. Let everything bubble and cook together. The wine will start to disappear or “reduce.” Let it cook until about half the wine is left.
This might take around 3-4 minutes. Dont worry about the alcohol in the wine; itll go away while cooking and just leave a nice taste behind.
Sprinkle some salt and pepper over everything in the pan. Its up to you how much you want to add. Then, turn the heat down to its lowest setting.
Place a lid on the skillet and let everything sit and cook together for 10 minutes. This will make sure the livers soak up all the yummy flavors.
Finally, before youre ready to eat, chop up some fresh parsley or cilantro leaves. Sprinkle these over the liver and onions. Itll give a fresh taste that goes well with the rich liver flavor. Now, your dish is ready to serve and enjoy!
Liver. Use chicken or calf liver instead. They all have a relatively mild liver flavor with a very tender texture.
Onions. Use red onions or sweet onions for a sweeter caramelized onion flavor.
Garlic. Jarred minced garlic can be used instead if you prefer a slightly milder garlic flavor.
Oil. Use your favorite vegetable oil instead of olive oil or use a mix of oil and butter for a richer flavor.
White wine. Turkey or chicken stock can be used in place of the wine if you prefer.
Bacon. Saute your onions and garlic with a few strips of your favorite bacon chopped into small pieces. These crispy bacon bits will make your dish even more savory and delicious.
Flour. Coat the livers with flour before pan frying to help them crisp up a bit more and to create a slightly thicker pan sauce.
Sliced apples or a dash of sugar. Saute the onions with a few slices of a crisp apple or with a bit of sugar to increase the sweetness of the onions.
Turkey liver is a delicacy with a robust and rich meaty flavor. It doesnt have the same overwhelmingly bold flavor that beef liver tends to have.
One of my favorite ways to give liver a better flavor is to cook it with onions and garlic. These strong flavors pair so well with the natural taste of liver that it takes down some of its earthy flavor while adding a sweet savory taste.
Yes! Liver is one of the most nutrient-rich foods. Its a lean protein packed with so many important vitamins and minerals like many B vitamins, iron, selenium, and zinc. You only need a small amount in order to gain many of its health benefits compared to other types of meat.
Often times liver meat is soaked in milk or lemon/vinegar water to help reduce some of that metallic and earthy liver flavor. However, this is not necessary with turkey or chicken livers because they naturally already have a milder flavor.
- Mashed Potatoes: The creamy texture of mashed potatoes contrasts well with the dense texture of liver. Adding some roasted garlic or herbs to the potatoes can enhance the flavor.
- Gently Simmered Leafy Greens: Whether its kale, collards, or Swiss chard, cooking them with garlic and a hint of vinegar provides a delightful contrast to the hearty flavor of liver.
- Roasted Root Vegetables: Roasted carrots, parsnips, and beets add a sweet and earthy dimension.
- Plain Steamed Rice: A staple side, its mild flavor nicely offsets the robust taste of turkey liver.
- Refreshing Cucumber Mix: Slices of cucumber seasoned and given a dash of tang with vinegar.
- Sauteed Mushrooms: Their umami-rich profile works well with turkey livers. Use varieties like cremini, shiitake, or even porcini.
- Coleslaw: A tangy coleslaw can cleanse the palate and offer a refreshing crunch to the meal.
- Grilled or Steamed Asparagus: Simple, with just a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and maybe some grated Parmesan on top.
Remove Sinews: Before cooking, its crucial to clean the turkey liver by removing any visible sinews or membranes. This ensures a smoother and more enjoyable texture when cooked. Using a sharp knife, trim away any tough or whitish parts before proceeding to cook.
Avoid High Heat: While a quick sear is essential, exposing the liver to extremely high heat can cause it to toughen quickly. Use a medium to medium-high heat for best results.
Store the cooked turkey liver in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating in a microwave, place the liver on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a microwave lid or another plate to retain moisture, and heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, checking for warmth between each interval to prevent overcooking.
Remember that microwaving can dry out the liver, so use caution and avoid overheating.
Pan-fried Turkey Liver
FAQ
What is turkey liver good for?
This is a good source of protein (40% of your Daily Value), vitamin a (991% of your Daily Value), and vitamin b6 (56% of your Daily Value).
Why not use turkey liver in gravy?
Let’s delve into each. By “giblets,” we mean the turkey neck, heart, gizzard, and liver. In this recipe, we decided to skip the liver because its taste can verge on bitter and metallic in a stock or gravy. The rest of the giblets, however, are full of savory turkey flavor.
Can you make pâté from turkey liver?
Don’t Throw it Away, make Turkey Liver Pâté! Serve this turkey liver pâté as an appetizer before Thanksgiving dinner, or simply as a sandwich spread. Simply pack the mixture into a bowl or glass jar, cover, and refrigerate.
What to do with turkey neck and liver?
Turkey giblets are most commonly used to make a giblet gravy. The parts (besides the liver, which becomes bitter when boiled) are simmered with herbs and vegetables to make a flavorful giblet stock.