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    Home » Recipes » Organ Meat Recipes » Tacos de Lengua (Beef Tongue Tacos)

    Tacos de Lengua (Beef Tongue Tacos)

    by: Anya·posted: Oct 25, 2023·updated: Jan 27, 2025·Leave a CommentThis post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Two beef tacos on white platter garnishes with cilantro and lime.

    Learn to make tacos de lengua with perfectly crispy beef tongue and refreshing toppings. These beef tongue tacos combine tender meat with charred corn tortillas, salsa verde, radishes, diced onion, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice. It's a delicious twist on classic tacos that's worth a try.

    Two cow tongue tacos on white platter next to lime and cutting board with ingredients.

    Tacos de Lengua, a classic in Mexican cuisine, is loved for its tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture and bold flavor. If you’ve ever craved those irresistible taco truck lengua tacos with perfectly tender meat and fresh, flavorful toppings, you can recreate them at home with high-quality ingredients!

    Looking for more healthy Mexican-inspired recipes?
    Check out blackened cod fish tacos, ground beef tacos, and crispy pork carnita.
    Jump to:
    • Recipe Overview
    • Ingredients for Cow Tongue Tacos
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • How to Make Beef Tongue Tacos
    • Helpful Tips
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Printable Recipe

    Recipe Overview

    • Prep and Cook Time: 15 minutes to prep and about 15 minutes to crisp up the meat
    • Cooking Method: Stove-top
    • Dietary Info: Gluten-free with Grain-free options, GAPS, Paleo, Whole30, Ancestral diet
    • Tools Needed: sharp knife, cutting board, and large frying pan or skillet
    • Skill Level: Easy

    What is an ancestral diet? Read my post on what nourishing foods are based on the traditional dietary principles of the Weston A. Price Foundation.

    Reasons to Love these Tacos de Lengua

    Beef tongue might be considered unconventional in some Western cuisines, but it's a prized delicacy in many parts of the world, including Mexico and Europe. Tacos de lengua offers a delicious way to enjoy organ meat, which supports the "nose-to-tail" cooking philosophy so well.

    Besides, it's a great way to switch up your taco game when you're looking for something different from traditional ground beef taco meat. And while you can’t skip cheese in sheet pan nachos, you can definitely enjoy these beef tongue tacos dairy-free. With so much flavor in every bite, the lengua tacos make cheese completely unnecessary.

    image of Prepare and Nourish owner

    Ingredients for Cow Tongue Tacos

    Ingredients on a white counter to make beef tacos, including cilantro, lime, radishes, pepper, beef tongue, salsa and corn.
    • Cooked beef tongue: Ox tongue provides a unique and incredibly flavorful meat base. The best part? We're cooking it in a healthy fat until crispy for that delicious texture. Be sure to check out my post on how to cook beef tongue.
    • Toppings: White onion, cilantro, radishes, and jalapenos add traditional and vibrant flavors and texture to cow tongue tacos.
    • Salsa Verde: Salsa verde adds tangy flavor, moisture, and balance—just check the label to avoid thickeners and gums.
    • Corn tortillas: Charred tortillas enhance flavor and makes them pliable for easy assembly.
    • Lime: A drizzle of fresh lime or bottled lime juice as a finishing touch (check the label to be sure it's 100% pure lime juice and no sweeteners or preservatives).

    Substitutions and Variations

    • Swap out the tortillas - Use grain-free cassava flour tortillas (like Siete) or lettuce wraps to keep it low carb. Sourdough flour tortillas are also excellent option.
    • Add dairy - Add crumbled cotija cheese, shredded raw cheddar, or a dollop of sour cream for extra flavor.
    • Toppings - An easy way to change up your tacos is to top them with your favorite toppings like pico de gallo, pickled red onions, roasted jalapeños, or creamy chunky guacamole for added flavor.
    • Season the meat - You can season tongue with taco seasoning or just salt and pepper for extra flavor, though it’s optional.
    graphic of fork and spoon connected in a plant.

    Make it Nutrient-Dense

    For maximum nutrition, use grass-fed beef tongue, sourced from local farmer's markets. But if that's not accessible to you, try Wild Pastures or US Wellness Meats; both carry good quality cow tongue. Make sure you brown the tongue in healthy fats such as pastured butter, beef tallow, or lard, and avoid rancid seed oils.

    For a gluten-free option, serve the beef tongue tacos in sprouted corn tortillas, which may help with nutrient bio-availability and digestion. You can learn more about this concept from Weston A. Price article on grains.

    Two cow tongue tacos on white platter next to lime and garnished with onions and cilantro.

    How to Make Beef Tongue Tacos

    The complete printable recipe is below in the recipe card for your convenience. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions for the best results.

    Beef tongue searing on a pan with butter.

    Step 1. Brown meat

    Heat oil in a large stainless steel pan until hot. Cut beef tongue into strips and add to the hot oil. Cook undisturbed over medium-high heat for a few minutes until brown on the bottom.

    crispy beef tongue in a white bowl.

    Step 2. Set aside

    Flip and cook the other side until all beef tongue strips are browned and crispy. Transfer to a bowl and set aside in a warm place while working on the toppings.

    white onion and cilantro in a white bowl.

    Step 3. Onion topping

    Finely dice the onion, chop the cilantro, and mix them in a small bowl.

    toppins for beef tongue taco on wooden board.

    Step 4. Prepare all toppings

    Slice radishes, jalapeños, and limes and set aside. Char tortillas over a medium open flame to warm them up and make them pliable for tacos.

    Helpful Tips

    1. Cooking beef tongue: Be sure to check out my very thorough post on how to cook beef tongue. This type of meat is best cooked in the pressure cooker for the most tender and flavorful result with fork-tender meat.
    2. Use chilled cow's tongue: Chill cooked beef tongue overnight for easier slicing into uniform strips.
    3. Start with a hot skillet. Heat your skillet over medium-high before browning tongue pieces for a crispy texture, and don't disturb the meat when frying them. They should release easily from the pan when sufficiently browned and crispy.
    4. Avoid overcrowding: Use a large skillet and spread the meat to encourage browning and prevent steaming.

    Troubleshooting

    • Tortillas tear? If using corn tortillas, warm them up properly by charring them over an open flame or heating them in a dry skillet. This helps make them pliable and less prone to tearing. You may also want to double up.
    • Beef tongue not crispy? Make sure your pan is hot enough and that you're using a high-smoke point fat like beef tallow. And don't overcrowd the pan - sear the slices in batches for an even crisp without stirring them too often.

    Product Highlight!

    Large Cast Iron Skillet

    In order to get a nice sear on those strips of beef tongue, you want a heavy duty cast iron skillet. Mine is such a workhorse!

    Grab yours →
    cast iron skillet
    💭Meal Prep Suggestion!
    Cook up a whole tongue in the Instant Pot and portion out half of the meat for this crispy and delicious cow tongue recipe (great for breakfast or protein-packed snack) and these beef tongue tacos recipe the other half. The rich beefy flavor tastes better the next day without any extra work.
    salsa being poured onto a beef tongue taco.

    Serving Suggestions

    Our favorite way to serve these tacos de lengua is just as written in the recipe and nothing else. It truly is such a flavorful and satisfying meal option. But it pairs well with cabbage avocado slaw and a side of white rice.

    And don't forget to top your own tacos with all your favorite taco fixings. Check out some of my faves:

    More tacos de lengua topping suggestions:
    • Blender salsa in a weck jar with wooden spoon
      Blender Salsa (5 minutes!)
      Cook Time5 Minutes
    • Chunky guacamole in a white bowl, with tortilla chips beside it on a white plate.
      Chunky Guacamole Recipe
      Cook Time15 Minutes
    • fermented jalapeno slices in mason jar | how to lacto-ferment jalapeno peppers
      How to Make Lacto-Fermented Jalapeño Peppers
      Cook Time20 Minutes
    • bowl full of tomato salsa with tortilla chip
      Lacto-Fermented Salsa
      Cook Time30 Minutes
    two beef tongue tacos on platter with radish in a wooden bowl and extra beef tongue in a platter below.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do I store and reheat leftover tongue tacos?

    To store lengua tacos, keep the beef tongue and tortillas in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. These glass snap containers are perfect for leftovers. Store toppings like onions, cilantro, and salsa in separate containers to prevent them from getting soggy. When ready to serve, reheat the beef tongue in a dry skillet over medium-high heat until heated through and assemble with the toppings.

    Can I freeze cow tongue tacos?

    Yes. Boiled beef tongue can be frozen for up to 3 months. Crispied beef tongue can also be frozen but may lose freshness and crispy texture when thawed. I recommend not freezing browned beef tongue for the best flavor.
    Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat.

    Can I use a different cut of meat if beef tongue is unavailable?

    While beef tongue tacos are what they are because of the type of meat used, you can substitute it with other cuts like beef cheek, brisket, or even shredded chicken or pork carnitas. However, you'll be missing out on the unique flavor of beef tongue that makes this dish distinctively delicious.

    Looking for more related recipes? Here are some ideas:
    • tortilla chips with salt flakes and guacamole to the left.
      Homemade Tortilla Chips - Easy Oven Baked Recipe
    • fish tacos in a corn tortilla on parchment paper.
      Easy Blackened Fish Tacos
    • Sheet pan nachos with ground pork and vegetables on a tray.
      Loaded Sheet Pan Nachos Without Beans
    • flat lay of jalapeno poppers with bacon
      Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
    Did you make this tacos de lengua recipe? Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ recipe rating in the recipe card below and leave a review in the comments. Thank you!💚

    Printable Recipe

    two beef tongue tacos on a platter garnished with cilantro and lime on the side.

    Beef Tongue Tacos (Tacos de Lengua)

    Anya @ Prepare & Nourish
    These tacos de lengua have crispy and tender beef tongue wrapped in corn tortillas and topped with your favorite toppings.
    5 from 54 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Mexican
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 409 kcal

    Equipment

    • 10-inch stainless steel pan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tablespoon cooking fat like butter, tallow, or avocado oil
    • 4 cups cooked beef tongue cut into thin strips
    • 1 white onion finely diced
    • 1 fresh cilantro finely chopped
    • 8 radishes thinly sliced
    • 1 jalapeno peppers thinly sliced
    • 1 cup salsa verde
    • 2 fresh limes
    • 8 corn tortillas
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • In a large stainless steel or cast iron pan, heat the fat until melted and shimmering. Cut beef tongue into strips and add to the pan. Cook undisturbed until brown on the bottom, approximately 4-6 minutes. Flip and cook the other side for about another 4 minutes or until all beef tongue pieces are browned and crispy. Transfer to a serving bowl and keep warm.
    • Meanwhile, combine the finely diced onion and chopped cilantro in a small bowl. Slice the radishes and jalapeno peppers thinly. And cut lime into wedges.
    • Over an open medium flame, char the tortillas, flipping halfway through with a pair of tongs. If you don't have a gas stove, you can gently warm them on a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
    • Place a scoop of crispy beef tongue meat into corn tortillas, followed by the onion-cilantro mixture. Tuck in a few radish slices and jalapenos, and spoon some salsa verde on top. Finish with a drizzle of fresh lime juice and serve immediately.

    Notes

    Storage: Store beef tongue meat and toppings separately to maintain freshness in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When ready to enjoy again, assemble and serve. 
    Helpful tips:
    • Get crispy and browned taco meat - don't disturb the meat when frying it. The meat pieces should release easily from the pan when sufficiently browned and crispy.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 409kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 158mg | Sodium: 143mg | Potassium: 535mg | Sugar: 0.003g | Vitamin A: 87IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 5mg
    Nutrition Information
    The information shown is an estimate provided for your convenience by an online calculator. It should not be considered as a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our complete Nutritional Information Disclaimer.
    Keyword beef tongue tacos, cow tongue tacos, lengua tacos, tacos de lengua
    ©Prepare and Nourish • Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is encouraged and appreciated but please do NOT screenshot or copy/paste complete recipes to websites or social media.
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Leave a comment below and share a photo on Instagram. Mention @prepareandnourish and be sure to tag #prepareandnourish!

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    About Anya

    Sharing wholesome recipes using seasonal ingredients and simplified methods since 2014. My hope is you'll feel right at home in this online kitchen, where you'll find real food recipes for real families.

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    I'm Anya and it is my joy to share wholesome recipes using seasonal ingredients and simplified methods. My hope is you'll feel right at home in this online kitchen, where you'll find real food recipes for real families.

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