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Beef Heart Stew


This warm and nourishing beef heart stew is made with beef heart, yellow potatoes, and sweet apple. It’s enjoyable with a pleasant meaty flavor. Learn how to cook beef hearts in this hearty stew.

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white bowl with yellow potatoes, meat and brown broth

Recipe Features

  • 7 ingredients are all you need for this stew.
  • This delicious and hearty organ meat recipe is nourishing. The cow heart has a complex of vitamins B, a rich source of coenzyme Q10, and many other nutrients.
  • Comfort food recipe the whole family can enjoy.
  • It’s affordable. The beef heart is usually much cheaper than other cuts of beef.
  • This dish is made in one pan. And it’s naturally gluten-free.

Key Ingredients

ingredients to make beef heart stew

Ingredient Notes

Ghee. Ghee is going to help prevent the meat from sticking to the pan. You are welcome to use another form of oil or butter.

Beef Hearts. Beef hearts are very lean and a great source of protein without the excess fat you would have in a burger. Dice into even pieces.

Sweet Onion. The onion will help add flavor to the dish and help mellow out the taste of the heart.

Potatoes. The potatoes are an excellentl starch to add to the stew. You can use Yukon, Russets, or any other variety of potatoes that will hold up.

Apple. The apple I find adds the perfect amount of sweetness to this organ stew. Honeycrisp, gala, or other firmer varieties will work.

Apple Cider Vinegar. The apple cider vinegar is the acidic part of the stew that will help to level out all the flavors from the veggies to the meat.

Sea Salt. Season with sea salt to help bring more flavors out in the stew.

How to Make It

  1. Wash the beef heart, use a sharp knife to remove arteries and fat, slice into 1-inch cubes. Wash potatoes, remove imperfections. Slice potatoes and apples into large chunks, peel and dice onion.
raw beef heart on the cutting board

2. In a large dutch oven over medium-high heat, melt ghee. Add meat and let it sit for 2-3 minutes without stirring so the sides can brown. Stir a couple of times to let meat brown from all sides but don’t thoroughly cook through. Add onions, mix well.

dutch oven filled with cubed beef heart meat and onions

3. Add water to the pot. Add apples, potatoes, salt, and vinegar. Once water slightly started to boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer on low for 1 1/2 hours (or more). Serve warm; the best flavor will be the following day.

dutch oven filled with apple slices and potatoes

Recipe Tips

Let me share some helpful tips on how to cook beef heart successfully. It is a forgiving protein, but you will find some tricks along the way to give you the best result.

The trick to making beef heart taste good is to either cook it fast or slow. This recipe is cooking it slowly, so the longer you can cook it, the better.

Slice meat into larger cubes to make sure the meat is tender at the end.

Choose hard sweet apple variety.

Taste at the end to ensure there is a perfect balance between salt and acid; add more if something is missing.

Variationa & Substitutions

If desired, feel free to add celery, carrots. Adjust the liquids accordingly.

Instead of apple cider vinegar, you can use a splash of balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What does beef heart taste like? 

Beef hearts are a bit of a gamey flavor. You will find since it is darker meat, it offers a richer flavor. If you eat a kidney, you will find it offers a similar flavor to that.

Where to buy beef hearts?

In the United States, you will find that you can’t buy beef hearts at the local grocery stores. If you want to buy grass-fed beef hearts, you can check local farmers’ markets or specialty stores.

Why do you sear heart for stew?

You will find any meat used in soups and stews; searing meat adds a lot of flavor and texture to the recipe.

Can I make this stew in a slow cooker?

If you want to make this stew in a slow cooker, go right ahead. Sear the heart as you would in a skillet on the stove. Add ingredients into the slow cooker, and cook low for 6-8 hours.

close up shot of the dutch oven pot filled with cooked potatoes, meat and broth

More Organ Meat Recipes

Did you try this recipe? I love hearing from you! Don’t forget to rate and leave a comment below.

white bowl with yellow potatoes, meat and brown broth

Beef Heart Stew

Natalia-Flavorful Home
This warm and nourishing beef heart stew is made with beef heart, yellow potatoes, and sweet apple. It's enjoyable with a pleasant flavor.
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Course Main Course
Cuisine Russian

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbs ghee
  • 1 1/2 lb beef heart
  • 1 sweet onion
  • 4 potatoes , gold
  • 1 apple
  • 4 cups water
  • 2 tsp sea salt
  • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions
 

  • Gather the ingredients. Wash potatoes, remove imperfections.
  • Wash the beef heart. Use a sharp knife to remove arteries and fat. Slice into 1-inch cubes. Slice into large chunks potatoes and apples, remove the core. Peel onion, dice small.
  • In a large dutch oven over medium-high heat, melt ghee. Add meat and let it sit for 2-3 minutes without stirring so the sides can brown. Stir a couple of times to let meat brown from all sides but don't completely cook through. Add onions, stir well.
  • Add water to the pot. Add apples, potatoes, salt, and vinegar. Once water slightly started to boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer on low for 1 1/2 hours (or more). Serve warm; the best flavor will be the following day.

Notes

  • The trick to making beef heart taste good is to either cook it fast or slow. This recipe is simmering it, so the longer you can cook, the better.
  • Slice meat into larger cubes to make sure the meat is tender at the end.
  • Choose hard sweet apple variety.
  • Taste at the end to ensure a perfect balance between salt and acid; add more if something is missing.

Nutrition

Calories: 315kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 23gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 153mgSodium: 908mgPotassium: 1027mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 34mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 6mg
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Natalia | Flavorful home
Natalia is a recipe developer, food photographer, and home cook. She started Flavorful Home to document her recipes and share home cooking tips. She loves creating flavorful and nutritious meals while keeping the cooking process simple and joyful!
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