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Deer Tongue Tacos

Keep in mind any tongue will do. Beef is traditional, and I use deer tongue, but lamb, pork, elk, moose, antelope, etc. will all work. I like my tongue sliced thin, shredded or chopped, not in big chunks. It’s up to you. I also like a bit more in the way of toppings, and I especially think a fiery salsa verde or roasted chile salsa, plus some fresh avocado, is a perfect balance with the rich, tender tongue meat. This is beer food. Mexican beer or German lagers, or hell, Budweiser or Miller are just fine here.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
2 hrs 20 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 50 mins
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 76 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

  • An elk moose or bison tongue, or 4 to 6 deer tongues
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns, cracked
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • A spring of epazote (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons lard or vegetable oil
  • corn tortillas
  • salsa, canned or homemade
  • Diced or sliced avocado (optional)
  • chopped cilantro, onion, radish and serrano chiles

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Simmer the tongue. Put the tongue or tongues in a large pot and cover it with water by 2 inches. Bring the water to a simmer and add the onion, garlic, bay, black peppercorns, epazote and salt. Simmer the tongue until the sharp point of a thin knife will pierce it easily, about 2 to 3 hours.
  2. Prep the tongue. When the meat is tender, set it on a cutting board to cool somewhat. When it’s just barely cool enough to handle, peel off the skin and discard. You can do all this up to a week ahead if you want. Just cool the peeled tongue and wrap in plastic wrap, it’ll keep in the refrigerator a week.
  3. Brown the meat. When you’re ready to make the tacos, cut the tongue meat into large pieces. Sear in the lard until they’re nicely browned, then chop roughly. Serve on warm corn tortillas with the salsa, avocado, cilantro and other garnishes.

Nutrition Information

Calories 76kcal (4%) Carbohydrates 4g (1%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 7g (11%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Sodium 2327mg (97%) Potassium 59mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 9IU (0%) Vitamin C 2mg (2%) Calcium 16mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 76

% Daily Value*

Calories 76kcal 4%
Carbohydrates 4g 1%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 7g 11%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Sodium 2327mg 97%
Potassium 59mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 9IU 0%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 16mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.