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Beef liver cooked with onions on top on a white plate.
5 from 1 vote

Beef Liver Recipe

This beef liver recipe with fried onions is full of flavor! Learn how to cook beef liver the best way for a main dish you'll love.
Prep Time1 hour 10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Main Dishes
Keyword: beef liver recipe, fried beef liver, how to cook beef liver, liver and onions
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 274kcal
Author: Laura Ascher

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 lb beef liver
  • 1 cup buttermilk optional
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 onion peeled and sliced
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • If you are using buttermilk, soak the liver in it for 1 hour ahead of time.
  • After the hour is up, pat the liver dry and season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  • Lightly sprinkle both sides of the liver with flour then shake off any excess flour.
  • Heat your skillet, add melted butter, and cook the liver 3-4 minutes or until a nice golden brown crust develops.
  • Flip and continue cooking on the other side for 3-4 minutes or until cooked through.
  • Set the liver aside to rest, then add oil and onions to the skillet. Cook 4-6 minutes, stirring frequently, until soft.
  • Top the liver with the fried onions and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Cooked beef liver doesn't store well, so I recommend making just enough to enjoy immediately.
  • In this recipe, we are cooking the beef liver very much like a steak. When the liver is ready to be flipped, it should pull away easily from the skillet. If it sticks, try letting it cook a bit longer.
  • Beef liver cooks best on medium to high heat. Slow cooking liver leads to dry, tough meat.
  • If you want to use a thermometer to know when your liver is done, aim for an internal temperature of 160°F. Avoid overcooking your liver as it will negatively affect the texture.