We all know liver’s good for us, but not many love its distinct texture and taste.
If that’s you, you’ve got to try these three tested ways to sneak liver into your food without anyone noticing…not even your kids!
Why Eat Liver
Liver is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. That means, ounce for ounce, it has some of the highest concentrations of a variety of nutrients. That means you get big health benefits from eating even a very small amount of liver!
Did you know that liver:
• Has 3 times more iron than red meat
• Has far more vitamin A than any other food
• Is a good source of calcium
• Has much more folate than leafy greens
The vitamin A content of liver is my biggest motivator in trying to get it into our weekly routine. Vitamin A is very rare in our foods (and no, beta carotene is NOT the same), and yet it plays a critical role in immune function, thyroid health, and fetal development, just to name a few. (1)
With the exception of this amazing pate recipe with rosemary, sage, and white wine (really, it’s amazing!), I’m not a big fan of liver, nor is anyone in my family.
So, I’ve come up with three ways for us to eat liver without tasting it. If you didn’t cook these yourself, you wouldn’t even know it’s in there…and your husband and kids won’t either. Promise!
3 Ways to Eat Liver Without Tasting It
When sneaking liver into recipes, the keys are: (1) to puree the liver before incorporating it into the recipes (I buy chicken liver from my local farmer, puree it with a food processor or immersion blender, adding a little water if needed. Then I freeze in small portions for easy defrosting); and use and (2) to add it to recipes that have lots of flavor on their own to help hide the texture and flavor of the liver.
All of these do those things very, very well!
1. Chili
There’s nothing like a good bowl of Real Texas Chili on a cold day! Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of pureed chicken livers to saute with the onions and bell pepper, then follow remaining instructions.
2. Smoothies
Give green smoothies a boost of extra nutrition by tossing a teaspoon or two of pureed liver into the blender with the other ingredients. (I use this immersion blender and love it!)
3. Spaghetti and Meatballs/Meat Sauce
Incorporate 1/4 to 1/2 cup of pureed livers into your meatball or meat sauce mixture and cook as you normally would.
I don’t mean to ask a dumb question, but do you cook the liver before pureeing it? thanks in advance for your answer. 🙂
Cooking it is always the safe bet. I have done it without cooking it, but I got the liver from a trusted source(a farmer that I knew).
Do you add raw liver to the smoothies?!?
Yes, if the liver is from a trusted source (pasture raised, etc.), but dessicated liver powder could be used if you’re not comfortable with raw liver.
How do you cook it before you purée it?
You can either boil (bring to boil, then lower to a simmer for 10-15 minutes), or pan fry it.
Great tips! I’ve also successfully mixed it into meatloaf. Will try it tonight with an unstuffed cabbage dish…cabbage, ground beef, tomatoes from last summer and of course liver. Wish me luck!
That’s great, Dayel! 🙂
Who knew liver was so good for you?! I’ll have to try some of these ideas out – they sound delicious!
I actually like the flavor of liver. Liver and onions is one of my favorite dishes …but these tips will surely come in handy as I’ve been trying to convince my boyfriend to eat more organ meats. Sneaky, sneaky.
These are awesome ideas to incorporate liver..I’m totally amazed to see smoothie among it..I first thought, you have wrongly placed smoothie in this list…It really blown my mind when I read the post
It is amazing how easy it is to sneak liver into food. I definitely need to try it some time – super interested to see if I can get everyone to eat it!
Good luck! 🙂
I have never thought I was ready for liver but your recipe makes me want to try it – looks absolutely fabulous!
Thanks, April!
Great ideas! I can hide the puréed liver in pasta sauce, in chili but definitely not in a smoothie!
Ha! Yeah, you really have to take it easy in the smoothies! 🙂
This is really useful to those who don’t want to eat it. Shall share it to a friend, nice post.
Thanks Jayashree – so glad you found it helpful! 🙂
What great tips to enjoy liver. I remember eating it as a kids and only liking it if it was cooked with lots of bacon!