Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions Recipe (2024)

By: Oriana Romero/Published: /Updated: / 42 Comments

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This Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions is super flavorful and easy to make! Be a culinary adventurer and open your senses to this nutritional powerhouse meal. Plus, it’s a fabulous alternative to your usual dinner rotation and budget-friendly.

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Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions Recipe (4)

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Traditional Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions Recipe

I know what you are thinking: What?? Liver and Onions???

To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month September 15 through October 15, I would love to highlight a recipe that my mom made during my entire childhood, at least once a month, Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions.

To be honest, it wasn’t my favorite meal, but I enjoyed it. The taste of the liver could be a bit overwhelming, but I think the garlic, onions, and wine really make a difference.

Liver and Onions dish is definitely an acquired taste but, in my opinion, it is worth giving it a try.

It’s been a while since I cooked beef liver and onions and let me tell you … It was good.Actually, really good. Much better than I remember it.

Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions Recipe (5)

Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions Ingredients

Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions(scroll down).

You’ll need:

  • Milk or buttermilk: This will help to reduce the meat smell and tenderize it. If possible, do not skip this step.
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic
  • Beef Liver: I like to use Rumba® Meats Liver because it comes nicely packed and fresh.
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Butter
  • Onions
  • White wine: To keep this dish alcohol-free, substitute wine for chicken stock.
  • Fresh parsley: For garnishing, it’s totally optional.
Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions Recipe (6)
Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions Recipe (7)

How To Make Venezuelan Beef Liver And Onions

Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions(scroll down).

1 – Soak liver in milk or buttermilk to reduce the strong taste of the meat.

Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions Recipe (8)

2 – Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, cook garlic and liver until browned on both sides. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook thoroughly, until meat reaches an internal temperature of 160° F. Remove the liver from the skillet with a slotted spoon.

Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions Recipe (9)
Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions Recipe (10)

3 – Add more oil and butter tothe same skillet. Add onions and sauté until translucent and fragrant.

Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions Recipe (11)

4 – Add the liver back to the skillet and add the wine. Let the wine reduce for 2 – 3 minutes.

Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions Recipe (12)

5 – Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve hot with rice, mashed potatoes, or veggies.

Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions Recipe (13)

TIPS AND TRICKS TO COOK LIVER

To reduce the strong taste of the meat, place liver in a bowl or a Ziploc bag, and cover with milk and refrigerate. Let it soak up to 2 hours.

Do not overcook it.

To add more flavor, season the liver with cumin and/or paprika. You can also add cayenne pepper if you like the heat.

If desired, use the pan drippings to make a gravy. Just add 1- 2 tablespoons of flour to the drippings. Cook the flour briefly for 1 -2 minutes, stirring constantly, then add 1 cup of beef stock for each tablespoon of flour. Cook and stir until thickened. Serve over liver and onions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Liver Taste Like?

Beef liver has an earthy flavor, that is slightly sweet and bitter. If you soak it in milk prior to cooking, it removes much of the bitter taste.

Do you need to soak your liver before cooking?

Soaking the liver in milk or buttermilk is highly recommended because it helps to remove much of the bitter taste and tenderize the meat.

How do you tenderize your liver?

Soak it for at least 2 hours in milk or buttermilk prior to cooking.

Storing Instructions

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How To Serve Beef Liver And Onions?

At home, we always serve liver and onions with white rice and plantains. However, this dish will be great with mashed potatoes, quinoa, and/or roasted veggies too.

Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions Recipe (14)

More Venezuelan Recipes You’ll Love!

  • Venezuelan Mondongo Soup [recipe+video]
  • Easy Venezuelan Sancocho
  • Venezuelan Lengua en Salsa
  • Instant Pot Venezuelan Oxtail Soup [Sopa de Rabo][Video]
  • Venezuelan Asado Negro
  • Venezuelan Pabellon Bowl [Video]
  • Eggless Venezuelan Tequeños
  • Venezuelan Flan Quesillo
  • more recipes…

❤️ Love what you see? JOIN my Private Baking Club. Also, SUBSCRIBE to Mommy’s Home Cooking, so you’ll never miss a recipe! And FOLLOW along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more fun!

Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions Recipe (15)

Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions

Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions Recipe (16)Oriana Romero

This Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions is super flavorful and easy to make! Be a culinary adventurer and open your senses to this nutritional powerhouse meal. Plus, it's a fabulous alternative to your usual dinner rotation and budget-friendly.

4.37 from 92 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings 6 servings

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (480 ml) milk or buttermilk (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 ½ lb (680 gr) beef liver, sliced into strips
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon (14 gr) butter
  • 3 onions, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup (120 ml) white wine
  • Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  • To reduce the strong taste of the meat place liver in a bowl, or a Ziploc bag, and cover with milk, or buttermilk, and refrigerate. Let it soak up to 2 hours. Then remove the liver from the liquid and pat dry. This step is optional but highlyrecommended If you are not used to the taste of the liver.

  • Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of oil. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning, about 1 – 2 minutes. Add the liver strips, working in batches if necessary, and fry until browned on both sides. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook liver until reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.Remove the liver from the skillet with a slotted spoon. Set aside on a plate or bowl.

  • Add the remaining tablespoon of oil and the butter to the same skillet. Add onions and sauté until translucent and fragrant. Add the liver back to the skillet and add the wine. Let the wine reduce for 2 – 3 minutes.

  • Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve hot with rice, mashed potatoes or veggies.

Video

Oriana’s Notes

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Extra Tips:To add more flavor season the liver with cumin and/or paprika. You can also add cayenne pepper if you like the heat.

Gravy: If desired, use the pan drippings to make a gravy. Just add 1- 2 tablespoons of flour for each to the drippings. Cook the flour briefly for 1 -2 minutes, stirring constantly, then add 1 cup of beef stock for each tablespoon of flour. Cook and stir until thickened. Serve over liver and onions.

Please, if you’re going to make this recipe read the whole post content to get lots of tips, tricks, variations, and step-by-step photos.

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

Please note that nutritional information is a rough estimate and it can vary depending on the products used.

Nutrition

Calories: 272kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 23gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 316mgSodium: 98mgPotassium: 455mgSugar: 2gVitamin A: 19220IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 5.8mg

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Course Main Course

Cuisine Venezuelan

Calories 272

Keyword beef dinner easy liver recipe venezuelan

Eggless Baking Frequently Asked Questions

You’ve asked, and I’ve answered! Read on for a handful of answers to the most frequently asked questions abouteggless baking.

FAQs

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Rumba® Meats. All opinions are entirely my own.

Recipe originally posted in February2018, video, and more tips added inSeptember 2020.

Welcome to my eggless kitchen!

Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions Recipe (17)Thanks for stopping by! I’m Oriana, a wife, mom to three wonderful kids, and a passionate baker and cooker of all eggless things delicious. My goal is to give you the confidence and knowledge to cook and bake without eggs while providing quality recipes that your whole family will love. I’m really happy that you’re here, so take a seat and have fun exploring! Read More…

Venezuelan Beef Liver and Onions Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What do you soak beef liver in before cooking? ›

While we are used to soaking liver in vinegar or lemon to get rid of the bad smell and kill any remaining toxins, American and European chefs advise to soak liver in milk. Yes, that's right: Milk! They claim that in addition to getting rid of toxins that usually are present in raw liver, milk helps tenderizing it.

How do you cook liver so it tastes good? ›

Place flour on a plate; season with salt and pepper. Drain milk from liver and coat liver slices in flour mixture. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet; increase heat to medium-high and fry coated liver slices until lightly browned, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side.

What country eats liver and onions? ›

Liver and onions is widely eaten in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and in Germany, where it is usually eaten along with boiled or mashed potatoes. Beef or veal liver is common in the US, veal or lamb liver are the usual choices in the UK.

Why is beef liver hard after cooking? ›

If you overcook liver, it will develop a tough and grainy texture. The appropriate cook time for a beef liver will depend on the size of the meat and your cooking method.

Do you rinse off liver before you cook it? ›

Absolutely! It is also a good idea to lightly rinse the liver before patting dry and placing in whole milk (to cover), soak in fridge for about an hour before coating with flour and frying. After doing this, you'll find that the taste is unbelievable!

Why do chefs soak liver in milk? ›

Soak the liver in a dish or bowl of milk for 30-60 minutes. This is an important step in removing the bitter flavor from the liver. Salt and pepper the liver generously, and leave it out at room temperature while you prepare the remaining ingredients. Pat the liver dry.

Why does liver go mushy when cooked? ›

This will draw out the blood and impurities leftover in the meat which will lessen the metallic taste and soften the meat. In terms of cooking, liver can be tricky to get right. Cook it too little and it is mushy, cook it too much and it is tough and bitter.

How often should you eat liver? ›

Most experts recommend eating liver or other organ meats about one to three times weekly. You don't necessarily need to eat large amounts. Even small servings, about one to four ounces, eaten several times per week, supply significant nutrients. A good goal is to aim for about 100–200 grams per week.

How to remove bitterness from beef liver? ›

Soak the liver in milk or lemon juice for a few hours before cooking to help remove any bitter flavors. – Do not overcook the liver as it can become tough and rubbery. Cook it until it is still slightly pink in the center. – Season the liver well with flavorful herbs and spices to enhance its taste.

What country eats the most beef liver? ›

Egypt is the world's biggest importer of liver. In fact, Egyptians eat so much American beef liver that there's a market for American liver near Ramses Square in central Cairo.

Is beef liver healthy? ›

Beef liver is a nutritious food item naturally high in protein, vitamins, nutrients, and minerals. The nutritional properties of beef liver can benefit the immune system, tissue repair, and energy production. Beef liver is a cheap and readily available meat known for being healthy and nourishing.

Why do I feel good after eating beef liver? ›

Improved energy, brain function, and mood.

Liver, especially beef and lamb liver, is one of the best sources of vitamin B12 of any food. A 3-ounce serving of beef liver has 59 micrograms, while 4 ounces of chicken liver has 18.8. This more than satisfies your daily value of 2.4 micrograms.

How long should liver be cooked? ›

Cook over medium-high heat. Flip once, cooking each side for 3 minutes. Remove once done, and do not overcook the liver.

How to tell if beef liver is spoiled? ›

Fresh liver has a mild smell, but when it's spoiled, you'll notice a strong, pungent, sour odor. The liver surface may appear slimy or sticky to the touch and the color might start to turn gray or brown rather than the healthy red or dark purple.

What can I use instead of milk for soaking liver? ›

If you're out of buttermilk, others also swear by the lemon juice or vinegar-soaking methods. In these cases, you would need water and ¼ cup of vinegar or lemon juice to soak approximately ½ pound of chicken livers. The optimal time to soak the livers in these acidic-based agents is between 30 to 90 minutes.

Do you soak liver in milk or buttermilk? ›

To achieve optimal tenderness with liver, you'll need to cover it with buttermilk and allow it to soak for as little as 30 minutes or up to three hours. This window provides a decent time for the buttermilk to work on the liver. What you should end up with is a tenderized liver with a more mellow, balanced flavor.

What can I soak beef liver in if I don't have milk? ›

To Do: Simply place your cut up liver in a bowl, barely cover with water and add the juice of a lemon or a tablespoon or two of vinegar. Soak for a few hours before cooking, drain and pat dry.

What kind of milk do you soak beef liver in? ›

Soaking is done to make the flavor less "gamey" and to tenderize the meat. The lactic acid in buttermilk (and milk) tenderizes protein. To soak liver, put it in a dish and cover it completely with milk or buttermilk. Let it soak in the milk for 30 to 60 minutes, then pat it dry and proceed with the recipe.

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