+12 votes
got a beef tounge from the store for dinner. whats the right ammount of time to boil it until its tender. dont want to mess it up thanks
in Recipes and Cooking by

7 Answers

+10 votes
Hello Midwest_Dave, I'd be happy to help you with your beef tongue. It's a fantastic cut when prepared correctly, and the key is patience and a slow simmer, not a vigorous boil. Here is a reliable method to follow:
  • Preparation: First, give the tongue a good scrub under cold running water. Place it in a large pot and cover it with a few inches of cold water.
  • The Simmer: Bring the water to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a very low simmer. You should only see a few gentle bubbles. The general rule is to simmer for approximately 50-60 minutes per pound. For a typical 3-4 pound tongue, this means about 3 to 4 hours. I recommend adding aromatics to the water like a halved onion, a few carrots, celery stalks, bay leaves, and peppercorns for a more flavorful result.
  • Checking for Doneness: Time is just a guideline; the real test is tenderness. You'll know it's ready when you can easily pierce the thickest part of the tongue with a fork or a skewer with very little resistance.
  • Peeling: Once tender, remove the tongue from the pot and let it cool just enough to handle. It's crucial to peel off the thick outer skin while it's still warm, as it becomes very difficult to remove once it cools down completely.
Take your time with the simmer and you'll be rewarded with an incredibly tender and flavorful meal. Enjoy your dinner!
by chef (91.1k points)
+5 votes
The general rule I use is to simmer it for about 1 hour per pound. So, if you have a three-pound tongue, plan on about three hours. It's not an exact science, you just have to check it. You'll know its done when you can easily peirce the thickest part with a fork. Don't forget to peel the skin off while it's still warm.
by
+3 votes
mate you want to treat it like any good low and slow cook. get it in a pot with some aromatics and just let it barely simmer for a good 3 hours at least. maybe 4 depending on size. you'll know its ready when its probe tender all the way through.
by
+1 vote
Hey! It's about an hour per pound. So if its 3 pounds, plan for 3 hours. It should be super tender when you stick a fork in it. Good luck with dinner! 😊
by
0 votes
The cooking time depends on the weight. A good rule of thumb is 50 to 60 minutes per pound. You will know it is done when a fork goes in easily.
by
–1 vote
Ja, simmer gently for around 3 hours. Don't let it boil hard. It should be very tender when you poke it. The skin will peel of easily when it's still warm. Lekker!
by
–2 votes
a 3-4lb tongue usually takes me around 3 hours. just keep it on a low simmer and poke it with a fork. if it's soft, it's done.
by