Y’all we going real old school with my Liver and Onions. My version has tender beef cooked in a bomb onion sauce. Serve it over some rice or even grits, and get your whole life. And even if liver wasn’t your childhood favorite, give this updated recipe a try. I promise you’ll love it!
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How to make liver and onions
- Drain the liver. Cut the liver into bite-sized pieces, trimming any extra fat off, if needed, and add to a large bowl.
- Sprinkle the livers with the baking soda.
- Next mix vinegar with very hot water and pour over the liver.
- Stir together and then let sit.
Make the Dredge For Your Liver
- While the liver sits, add egg, hot sauce, and Worcestershire to a bowl.
- Whisk together.
- Add flour, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne to a bowl.
- Whisk together.
Time to dredge
- Dip the liver pieces in egg mixture.
- Then dip and coat the liver with the flour, set aside on a wire rack.
Fry Your Liver And Onions
- Add oil to a pan and heat. Brown liver on both sides, then remove and drain oil.
- Next, add in onions and brown.
- Add the liver back to the pan with the onions and stir in chicken broth.
- Cover and simmer until the livers are tender and the gravy has thickened, then serve over rice or grits.
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Liver and Onions Recipe
Want to Save This Recipe, Boo?
I’ll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs beef or chicken livers
- 2 tbsp baking soda
- 2 tbsp white vinegar
- 1 large egg slightly beaten
- 2 tsp hot sauce
- 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 2 large onions sliced
- 1 ½ cup chicken broth or stock
Instructions
- Drain the livers. Cut the liver into bite sized pieces, trimming any extra fat off, if needed, and add to a large bowl. Sprinkle the livers with the baking soda.
- Next mix vinegar into 2 cups of very hot water and pour over the liver. Stir together and then let sit for about 5 minutes.
- While the liver sits, whisk together egg, hot sauce and worcestershire to a medium sized bowl.
- Also add flour, salt, garlic powder and cayenne to a medium sized bowl and whisk together.
- Drain the water then rinse the liver well with cold water then dry with paper towels.
- Lightly season liver pieces with salt and pepper on both sides. Dip the liver pieces in egg mixture then into the flour then set aside on a wire rack.
- Add oil to a pan and heat to medium heat. Brown liver on both sides then remove and drain oil.
- Next add in onions and brown then remove. Add liver back to the pan with onions and stir in chicken broth. Cover and simmer for about 15-25 minutes or until the livers are totally tender (check with a fork) and gravy has thickened then serve over rice or grits.
Notes
How to store & reheat
Transfer any leftovers into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. The best way to reheat liver and onions is on the stovetop. Add a little chicken broth or water and heat it over low to medium heat until it’s warmed through.How long will it last in the fridge?
It should keep well in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.Can I freeze liver and onions with gravy?
Yep! To freeze, add leftovers to an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag, pushing out as much air as possible. It should keep for up to 2–3 months.Nutrition
Recipe Tips
- If Using Beef Liver, Go for Calf: They’re more tender and have a milder flavor.
- Don’t Overcook the Liver: Liver cooks fast, y’all. Keep a close eye on it while it’s in the pan so it doesn’t end up chewy.
- Tenderize the Liver: Don’t skip the baking soda and vinegar hack.
- Simmer, Don’t Boil: When it’s time to bring everything together with the chicken broth, keep it at a simmer so the liver stays tender.
Recipe Help
What Does Beef Liver Taste Like?
Beef liver has somewhat earthy flavor but the texture is smooth. We balance the earthiness with the sweetness of the onions.
Why Do You Soak Liver in Milk or Vinegar?
Soaking liver in milk or a vinegar solution helps to remove some of its strong flavor and also tenderizes the meat. In this recipe, I use a baking soda and hot water technique followed by vinegar to tenderize and mellow out the liver.
More Beef Recipes
*Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating and leave comments below!* Post a photo of how your version of the recipe came out on Instagram (using #grandbabycakes)!!
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Love the combination of flavors here. Looks fantastic. Thanks for sharing.
Love this Liver And Onions recipe, my family loved it and it was delicious. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Enjoyed this for dinner tonight and it was a savory success! Easy, hearty and delicious; my kind of comfort food, indeed!
My family was skeptical, but this turned out great.
Better than store-bought and so much more wholesome! Loving these!
Grew up having this. My mom would make. Thank you for the memories.
So good! One of the best liver recipes I have tried. Thanks for the little soda/vinegar tip.
While I’m not usually a big fan of liver, your recipe has inspired me to give it a try!! It looks really hearty and delicious!
I grew up loving liver and onions, it was always a special dish that you didn’t eat often but when you did you knew you were going to love it. This recipe looks amazing with the gravy.
Why baking soda and white vinegar for beef liver?
Hi Debra, great question. It helps tenderize the liver and remove some of the funk.