Beef heart recipe round-up
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Eating organ meats may not be for the faint of heart (pun intended), but it used to be that organ meats were prized and reserved for distinct members of society, and not tossed aside as is common today. The biggest barriers to eating organ meat, especially heart, is largely psychological – after all, there is something a little off-putting about eating organ meat, if the only other time you’ve ever been around whole organs wasn’t for consumption but rather for dissection in your 10th grade biology class. However, organ meats, especially hearts, are foods that are worth getting over your heebie-jeebies for, because they’re nutritional super-foods. They’re so nutrient-dense, that ideally you should try to eat them at least twice a week, and you should source your meat from organically-raised pastured animals. (If you’re wondering how to prioritize your grocery budget for meat when you can’t afford grass-fed beef, The Paleo Mom has a great guide).
Similar to other cuts of red meat, heart is a great source of iron, zinc, selenium and B-vitamins. But, the best reason for eating heart is because it’s the densest food source of coenzymeQ10 (coQ10). CoQ10 is a fat-soluble antioxidant, and it’s vital in energy production, with a critical role in ATP synthesis (the body’s fundamental unit of energy).
So, if you can get over the appearance (chopping, slicing or grinding certainly helps), you’ll find that beef heart recipes tastes very similar to steak or stew, or if you’re eating chicken, pork or lamb hearts, that they taste like darker cuts of meat. Many of the recipes in this hearty (haha!) recipe round-up use a crock pot or slow cooker – the slow cooking process helps to tenderize what could be a tough cut of meat otherwise. (Check out the table at the end of this post for a comparison of some popular slow cookers).
Assorted
Beef heart confit with sous vide beets
Pan seared beef heart served w/ herby white sauce
Grilled beef heart with roasted chili peppers
Beef heart with roasted vegetables
Paleo-style beef heart dirty rice
Beef heart with chimichurri sauce
A cheaper alternative to steak: beef heart!
Kebab (Brochette)
Preparing beef heart and heart kebobs
The Nasty Bits: Ox Heart Anticuchos
Grilled marinated beef heart (anticuchos de corazon)
Anticuchos (grilled beef heart)
Moroccan heart kebab (brochette)
Slow Cooker
Crockpot beef heart with cauliflower mash and paleo gravy
Crockpot beef heart stuffed with bacon, mushrooms and onions
Slow-cooked “Heart on Fire” with creamed kale
Slow cooker stuffed beef heart
Jerky
Vietnamese inspired beef heart jerky
Other
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Slow Cooker Comparison Table
| Name | Price | Quarts | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Hamilton Beach 7-Quart Stay Or Go Slow Cooker | $$ | 7 | Single clip latches lid to base for spill-resistant travel; Detachable lid and removable stoneware for dishwasher clean upHinged lid stays up for serving; Folding handles snap up for carrying fold down for storage; Perfect size for a 7 lb. chicken |
 | Crock-Pot Cook' N Carry 6-Quart Oval Manual Portable Slow Cooker | $$ | 6 | 6-quart oval stoneware is perfect for seven or more people or a six pound roast; High, low, and warm settings are perfect for making chilis, stews, sauces and more; Lid-mounted locking system is easy to use for portability; Secure fit lid helps keep the unit sealed so your meal stays in when you go out; Measures approximately 15 by 10 by 15 inches |
 | Cuisinart 3-In-1 Cook Central Multi-Cooker, Slow Cooker, Steamer | $$$$ | 6 | Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging; One touch switches modes when recipe calls for combination cooking; Extra-large blue backlit LCD display with easy-to-read time and temperature settings; Removable 6-quart nonstick aluminum cooking pot; Glass lid with cool-touch handle for clear view and comfortable handling; Dishwasher-safe removable parts for effortless cleanup, Steaming rack included, Limited 3-year warranty |
 | Hamilton Beach Set 'n Forget Programmable Slow Cooker, 6-Quart | $$ | 6 | 3 choices for easy, automatic cooking: probe, program and manual; Thermometer probe for meat; Clip-on spoon; Clip-tight gasket lid; Easy, automatic cooking |
 | Crock-Pot 4-Quart Cook and Carry Slow Cooker | $$ | 4 | 4-quart capacity feeds 4 or more people; Lid-mounted locking system; Removable oval stoneware and lid are dishwasher-safe; Convenient warm setting; Great for potlucks, family gatherings, tailgating, parties and more |
 | West Bend 5-Quart Oblong-Shaped Slow Cooker | $$ | 5 | Oblong-shaped slow cooker with adjustable temperature control; Generous 5-quart capacity for entertaining or dinner with the family; Oven-, range-top-, and freezer-safe cooking pot; glass lid included; Heating base doubles as a nonstick mini griddle; dishwasher-safe parts; Measures 7-1/4 by 12-3/4 by 8-3/4 inches; 1-year limited warranty |
 | DeLonghi Stainless-Steel Programmable 5-Quart Slow Cooker | $$$ | 5 | Just set it and go with the 10-hr digital countdown timer; perfect for long work days or busy days running around with the kids at sports practice; Enjoy the ease of the servable ceramic bowl, take it straight to the table, so there is less to clean!; You can take pleasure in the ample counterspace you'll still enjoy with the sleek compact design; Feed the family or even a whole dinner party with the 5-qt capacity; Be sure that you will always cook food at the perfect temperature with high and low settings and a 2-hr keep warm function |
 | Proctor-Silex 4-Quart Slow Cooker | $ | 4 | Removable stoneware for easy cleaning; Dishwasher safe stoneware; Keep warm setting; Dishwasher safe glass lid |
 | Calphalon 7-Quart Digital Slow Cooker | $$$$ | 7 | Auto-setting cooks for 2 hours on High, then switches to Low for the remainder of the cook time; 24-hour digital timer automatically switches to Warm at the end of the cooking cycle; Easy-to-read, high contrast LCD display; Dishwasher-safe 7 Qt. ceramic crock; The Calphalon Kitchen Electrics collection features our exclusive Opti-Heat System. Designed to provide accurate temperature control and even heat delivery, Opti-Heat ensures that foods cook evenly and thoroughly. |
 | Frigidaire Professional Stainless 7-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker | $$$ | 7 | Spacewise Design; Pro-Select LED Display; Pro-Select One-Touch Options; Fully Programmable; Stylish Stainless-Steel Exterior |
Photo credit: Game of Thrones by HBO
Vivian is the founder of the Real Food Guide and a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN) who believes that each individual needs to go on their own Real Food Journey to find what works. While she herself eats a diet of real food (aka a paleo diet), some people may find that they can flourish on a vegetarian diet instead. However, universal to optimal health and well-being is good quality, nutrient-dense, Real Food.
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Awesome roundup Vivian! And the picture of Daeneris is PRICELESS!!!
I will be sharing ;)
I’m glad you enjoyed it! :D
That picture is hilarious! Thanks for including me in the roundup. I look forward to checking out the other links.
Thanks so much for including my slow cooker beef heart stew recipe! :) This is a really nice round up for those of us who like to eat hearts :)