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Home » Recipes » Beef » Lengua en Salsa Asada

Lengua en Salsa Asada

Last Updated March 21, 2022. Originally Posted July 15, 2019 By Maggie Unzueta

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Beef Tongue in Roasted Mexican Salsa, or Lengua en Salsa Asada is made up of soft, tender meat in a delicious sauce. A yummy and easy-to-make recipe that's incredibly flavorful.
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Beef Tongue in Roasted Mexican Salsa, or Lengua en Salsa Asada is a bold and flavorful dish. So tender and so delicious. Add some tortillas, Mexican rice, and enjoy! By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen
Beef Tongue in Roasted Mexican Salsa, or Lengua en Salsa Asada in a metal skillet and topped with chopped cilantro. Lengua en Salsa Asada, or Beef Tongue in Roasted Mexican Salsa. Before you say anything, hold your tongue. 🙂 One of the things that always surprises me is how unappreciated and absolutely delicious this cut of meat is.

How does beef tongue taste like?

Beef tongue in a plastic wrapper. Beef Tongue can be hard to find. Look for it in Mexican grocery markets or speciality stores. It tastes like other red meats like flank steak, lamb shank, filet mignon. It is fattier but milder in taste. Tongue is soft, only slightly chewy. Hand holding a package of beef tongue still in the wrapper.
  • Open the package and rinse the Beef Tongue well.
  • It usually takes about 3 rinses until there is no blood.
We do not waste food in Mexico. Several of our authentic Mexican recipes are made of “weird” cuts of meat like Menudo and Beef Shanks in Chile Colorado.

Is cow tongue safe to eat?

Yes, cow tongue is safe to eat. However, it has its nutritional advantages and disadvantages. Nutritional Advantages: It is rich in zinc, iron, choline, and vitamin B12. Disadvantages: It is fatty and is high in cholesterol. It is said to be beneficial for women who are pregnant.

Instructions

Beef tongue in the slow cooker and covered with water.
  • Place the tongue in the slow cooker along with garlic, onion, a bay leaf, and salt.
  • Cover with water. Let cook on low for 6-8 hours.
You can’t rush the cooking process. It is a very tough meat. It needs hours and hours to soften.

How to Cook Beef Tongue on the Stove

  • Add water (about 4 inches above the meat) in a large and deep stockpot.
  • Cover and cook on low heat for 3 hours.
Check every hour if it needs more water. Add more water as needed. Cooked cow tongue in the slow cooker swimming in the cooking juices.
  • Once it’s fully cooked, remove from the slow cooker.
  • Let it cool slightly before removing the outer layer.
You must take it off when it’s hot or when it’s warm. If you don’t, it will stick to the meat and you’ll have a hard time taking it off. As you can see from the picture, there is a lot of fat still attached. Remove this part after it’s cooked and warm to the touch.
Note: There are some people who remove the fat before cooking, but I think it adds flavor to the meat.

Who eats beef tongue?

Beef Tongue was very popular in the US until the 1950s. It is still eaten throughout the world and in many cultures. Here are some examples: Pickled Beef Tongue (Jewish) or Gytuan, or BBQ Beef Tongue (Japanese). Cooked and sliced beef tongue on a green cutting board. To make this Mexican beef tongue recipe, slice the meat. If you are going to make Tacos de Lengua, however, you should chop the meat into tiny little pieces. Remember that the meat will break down even further when it’s in the pan. It’s all preference.

How to cook beef tongue Mexican-style

Roasted tomatoes, garlic, onion, and jalapeno on a white plate.
  • Put all the ingredients under a broiler for 10 minutes until they blister.
  • Then add them to a blender. Blend until smooth.
What makes this a Mexican tongue recipe is the salsa. To make the salsa, you need to roast the tomatoes, onion, chile peppers, and garlic. You can make the salsa ahead of time and save time. This is the same way we make Roasted Tomato Salsa.

Pro Tip:

Make a double batch of the salsa. Use half now and freeze the other half for later. Red salsa cooking in a metal skillet.
  • Heat two tablespoons oil to a large skillet.
  • Add the salsa and stir for a few minutes.
FYI: This recipe is sometimes referred to as Lengua Ranchera, or Ranch-Style Beef Tongue. Red salsa and the sliced beef tongue cooking in a metal skillet.
  • Next add the cooked Beef Tongue.
  • Let simmer for 10 minutes.
You can also make this dish using salsa verde. In that case, you’d be making Lengua en Salsa Verde. Beef Tongue in Roasted Mexican Salsa, or Lengua en Salsa Asada, in a metal skillet and topped with chopped cilantro.

Side Dishes

Pinto Beans Arroz Mexicano Corn Tortillas Don’t be tongue tied. Serve it with pride. Beef Tongue in Roasted Mexican Salsa, or Lengua en Salsa Asada is a bold and flavorful dish. So tender and so delicious.

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Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!

Beef Tongue in Roasted Mexican Salsa, or Lengua en Salsa Asada is a bold and flavorful dish. So tender and so delicious. Add some tortillas, Mexican rice, and enjoy! By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Beef Tongue in Roasted Mexican Salsa (Lengua en Salsa Asada)

Beef Tongue in Roasted Mexican Salsa, or Lengua en Salsa Asada is made up of soft, tender meat in a delicious sauce. A yummy and easy-to-make recipe that's incredibly flavorful.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours 25 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 272kcal
Author: Maggie Unzueta

Ingredients

  • 1 3-lb beef tongue
  • Water
  • 2 garlic cloves divided
  • 1 onion divided
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 4 tbsp Olive Oil divided
  • 6 Roma Tomatoes
  • 1 jalapeño

Instructions

  • Rinse the beef tongue with enough water until the water comes out clean.
  • It usually takes about 3-4 rinses.
  • Place the beef tongue in the slow cooker.
  • Add enough water to cover the meat.
  • Add 1 garlic clove, ½ onion, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker.
  • Cover and set on low for 6-8 hours, or high 4-6 hours.
  • Remove the cooked beef tongue from the slow cooker and set aside.
  • Let cool to touch and peel the outer layer using your hands or tongs.
  • Remove any fatty areas. (You can also do this part before cooking).
  • Cut into thin slices.
  • Set aside.
  • In a foil-lined sheet pan, add the tomatoes, ½ onion, 1 garlic clove, 1 jalapeño.
  • Coat with 1 tablespoon olive oil and add salt and pepper.
  • Broil on high for 8-10 minutes, or until everything is blistered.
  • Add all the roasted tomatoes, onion, garlic, and jalapeño to a blender.
  • Blend until smooth.
  • Taste for salt.
  • In a large skillet, heat two tablespoons olive oil.
  • Add the roasted tomato salsa and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the cooked beef tongue.
  • Cover and let simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Serve with tortillas and Mexican rice.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

The outer layer needs to be removed. You MUST take it off when it is still warm. If you don’t, it will stick to the meat and you’ll have a hard time taking it off.
Once the tongue is cooked, remove any fat.
You can make the red salsa ahead of time. 
You can also make this recipe using Salsa Verde. It would then be called: Lengua en Salsa Verde. 
To Cook Beef Tongue on the Stove: Add water (about 3 inches above the meat) in a large and deep stockpot. Cover and cook on low heat for 3 hours. Check every hour if it needs more water. Add more water as needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 36mg | Potassium: 412mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 815IU | Vitamin C: 19.4mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1.4mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

Filed Under: Beef, Mexican, Recipes

About Maggie Unzueta

Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. LUPE DURHAM

    December 20, 2017 at 12:52 pm

    5 stars
    I LOVE LENGUA, THE FIRST TIME I MADE IT FOR MY HUSBAND, HE WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZED, NOW HE ASKED FOR IT ALL THE TIME, BUT IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE.

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      December 22, 2017 at 5:43 pm

      I know what you mean. We only have it on special occasions.

      Reply
    • Melissa Rodriguez

      July 16, 2021 at 10:29 am

      I bought mine at Walmart, $21 which was much more reasonable than La Michocana Grocery store that wanted $41!!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        July 19, 2021 at 2:20 pm

        Holy moly! That’s expensive. I don’t know why meat is so expensive these days.

  2. Kileen

    July 2, 2019 at 9:43 pm

    5 stars
    This definitely sounds like a unique but flavorful dish!! Will definitely have to try someday!

    Kileen
    cute & little

    Reply
  3. Sheereen |

    July 3, 2019 at 7:33 am

    I’m one of those people who say what cow tongue????? But this does look good!

    Reply
  4. joy abou zeid

    July 3, 2019 at 11:33 pm

    that looks super good, thanks for sharing xx

    Reply
  5. Cynthia Nicoletti

    July 4, 2019 at 7:30 pm

    Have never tried sounds really good.

    Reply
  6. Dennis Yannakos

    September 5, 2020 at 9:58 pm

    5 stars
    It tastes amazing guys! My kids love it too! Highly highly recommend!
    Best Kitchen Utensils

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      September 7, 2020 at 3:13 pm

      So glad you and your kids liked it!

      Reply

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