Here is the best way to cook beef heart so that it is soft and full of flavor. For dinner, try cooking heart meat with caramelized onions. If cooking cow tongue was already a hit, make this lightly breaded next.
Cooking beef heart is easier than you think. Something like liver and onions. It only needs a little heat to get soft, and a light breading is nice. Organ meat paired with some caramelized onions makes a protein packed meal you’ll love. (affiliate links present).
If you like buying a lot of beef at once and getting ALL the parts, this one might make you scratch your head. This can taste so good if it’s cooked right that I bet your kids would like it even if they didn’t know what it was. .
For this one, all you need is a skillet. For Instant Pot liver and onions, you could also follow the steps. They both cook at the same rate really so there are two different methods to choose from. Either one is the best with some savory and sweet softened yellow onions for sure.
So this is what one looks like whole. If you bought it at the store it may have already been sliced or sold cut in half. When you cook heart meat, you’ll need a good amount of seasonings to make it less “meaty” and give the flour coating flavor. Yes you could leave off the breading but it wouldn’t be as good.
Beef heart is an underrated cut of meat that can be incredibly delicious and tender when cooked properly. The rich, beefy flavor pairs wonderfully with so many dishes and ingredients While beef heart may seem intimidating to prepare, using an Instant Pot makes cooking this cut of meat simple and foolproof In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how long to cook beef heart in the Instant Pot for melt-in-your-mouth results every time.
Benefits of Cooking Beef Heart
Beef heart is packed with nutrients including protein, iron, zinc, selenium, and B vitamins. It’s economical, sustainable, and often easier to find than other beef cuts. Cooking beef heart requires long, slow cooking to break down the tough muscle fibers. This is why the Instant Pot is the perfect appliance for preparing beef heart. The pressurized environment allows the meat to become extremely tender and moist in a fraction of the normal cooking time.
Instant Pot Beef Heart Basics
When cooking beef heart in the Instant Pot there are a few key tips to keep in mind
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Cut the heart into 1-inch cubes – This allows the meat to cook evenly and speeds up the cooking process. It also makes the beef heart easier to bite into after it’s cooked.
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Brown the beef heart first – Searing the cubed beef heart on all sides before pressure cooking helps develop a deep, rich flavor.
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Use a cooking liquid – Adding a cup or two of liquid like beef broth, wine, or water will provide moisture and prevent the beef heart from drying out.
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Cook for 40-60 minutes – Beef heart needs sufficient time under pressure to become tender. Cooking for less than 40 minutes may result in tough, chewy meat.
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Use natural pressure release – Allowing the pressure to release naturally prevents overcooking and allows the meat to continue to tenderize. Quick pressure release is not recommended.
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Check for doneness and adjust time – Beef heart can vary in texture. If needed, put the Instant Pot back on pressure for 10-15 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfect tender Instant Pot beef heart every time.
Prep the beef heart
- Rinse the beef heart under cold water and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. Trim off any visible fat or membranes.
- Cut the heart into 1-inch cubes. Cutting against the grain helps tenderize the meat.
- Pat the cubed beef heart dry again. Season generously all over with salt and pepper.
Sear the beef heart
- Select Sauté on the Instant Pot and heat 2 tablespoons avocado oil or beef tallow until shimmering.
- Working in batches if needed, sear the beef heart cubes on all sides until well browned, about 2 minutes per side.
- Transfer the seared beef heart cubes to a plate. Do not rinse out the pot.
Prepare the cooking liquid
- To the Instant Pot insert, add:
- 1 cup beef broth or stock
- 1 cup red wine or water
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
Pressure cook the beef heart
- Add the seared beef heart cubes along with any accumulated juices back to the pot.
- Lock the lid and make sure valve is set to ‘Sealing’.
- Select Manual/Pressure Cook then adjust cook time to 40 minutes.
- When cooking is complete, use Natural Pressure Release for at least 15 minutes before unlocking lid.
Check doneness and adjust time
- After natural release, test a piece of beef heart for tenderness. It should be very tender and cut apart easily with a fork.
- If the beef heart seems tough or unevenly cooked, lock the lid and cook for 10-15 more minutes then naturally release pressure again.
Finish the dish
- Once beef heart is fork-tender, use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a serving bowl.
- Taste the cooking liquid and season to taste with salt, pepper, and additional herbs if desired.
- Pour the sauce over the beef heart and serve while hot.
The cooked beef heart is now ready to be served over mashed potatoes, with noodles, or however you wish to use it! Add vegetables like roasted carrots or glazed brussel sprouts for a complete meal.
Tips for the Best Instant Pot Beef Heart
- Purchase high-quality beef heart from a trusted local butcher or meat market. The fresher the better.
- For extra flavor, marinate the cubed beef heart overnight in red wine, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and spices.
- If the sauce seems thin after cooking, whisk together 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water. Stir into the hot liquid to thicken.
- Other tasty additions to the cooking liquid include red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and paprika.
- For caramelized, crispy bits of beef heart, broil or pan fry the cooked pieces until browned.
- Shred or slice the tender cooked beef heart to use in tacos, chili, pasta sauce, soup, or stew.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size should I cut the beef heart?
Cutting the heart into 1-inch cubes is ideal. Smaller pieces may overcook and larger pieces may be underdone in the center.
Is searing the beef heart necessary?
Browning the meat first isn’t required but does add deeper flavor. If short on time, you can skip this step.
How much liquid is needed?
1 to 2 cups of broth, wine, water, or a combo is sufficient. The meat releases liquid as it cooks. Too much liquid will dilute the flavor.
Can I pressure cook beef heart from frozen?
Yes, but add 5-10 extra minutes to the cook time if starting from frozen cubed meat. Cook until very tender.
What Instant Pot pressure setting should I use?
The manual or pressure cook setting will work best. Some models have a “meat” button that can also be used. Avoid the quick release setting.
What should the internal temperature be?
Beef heart should reach an internal temp of at least 160°F when done. Check in a few spots to be sure.
What if my beef heart is still tough after cooking?
If your Instant Pot beef heart isn’t as tender as you’d like, you can return it to pressure for 10-15 more minutes, and be sure to let the pressure naturally release again.
In Conclusion
Instant Pot Beef Heart
Whether you have fresh or are cooking frozen beef heart you will follow these instructions. Set on a trivet with 2 cups broth in pot. Season top to your liking. Cook on high pressure for 1 hour and 15 minutes on high pressure. Allow pressure to release naturally for at least 15 minutes before letting the rest out.
How to Cook Beef Hearts
After putting the pieces in seasonings for a few hours, they will taste their best. Keep this in mind when you are planning for dinnertime. You just coat the outside, put it in a bowl, and put it in the fridge for a while. Then you start breading it and cooking it in a stove. Same prep goes into cooking beef liver too.
For those who want to try more than one, I have instructions for those too. Choose the one you like best. Personally I think texture is a big one. If you don’t like your food soft all the way through, seared or air-fried might be your best bet. Try them all I say!.
There are tons of benefits to this cut of meat. It has a lot of protein, folate, iron, vitamin Bs, and zinc, and it is said to keep people from getting heart disease. It is high in cholesterol so this should be eaten in moderation but healthy for the most part.
- 5 tbsp olive oil
- 1/3 tsp granulated garlic
- Paprika and ground coriander
- 3 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 onion
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- salt and pepper
You will need a plate to coat and a skillet. If you want to use cast iron, that is great. You could also air fry your pieces as a third option to see which one you like best. This will add another level of crisp to the edges which you might like. You’d still need a pan to saute the onions though separately.
We have a Crockpot recipe below you can give a whirl as well. To find out which you like best, I’d use two whole ones, since you need at least three quarters of one to make the slow cooking method with gravy.
