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Marinated Beef Heart Tacos with Cilantro-Lime sauce

Marinated Beef Heart Tacos with Cilantro-Lime Sauce

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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Marination 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Grill or cast iron skillet A grill is best for a slightly smoky char, but a heavy skillet works great too if you’re cooking indoors.
  • Blender or food processor To blitz up that creamy cilantro-lime sauce.
  • Mixing bowls For marinating the heart and tossing the slaw.
  • Sharp knife Cleaning and slicing a beef heart requires a good-quality, sharp chef’s knife.
  • Cutting board Preferably one reserved for meat.

Ingredients
  

For the beef heart and marinade

  • 1 whole beef heart about 2 lbs, trimmed and cleaned
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes optional
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For the cilantro-lime sauce

  • 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1 small garlic clove
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • Salt to taste

For serving

  • Corn tortillas 8–10, lightly charred
  • 2 cups shredded cabbage or slaw mix
  • 1 avocado sliced
  • Pickled red onions optional
  • Lime wedges

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prep the Beef Heart

  1. Start by trimming the beef heart. Remove any connective tissue, valves, and fat. It might look intimidating at first, but once cleaned, you’ll be left with lean, dark red meat that looks similar to flank steak. Slice the heart open like a book so it lays flat. Rinse and pat dry.

Step 2: Make the Marinade

  1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Place the heart in a zip-top bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over it. Massage to coat well, seal it up, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours—overnight is even better.
  2. This technique is a great base for other heart recipes beef lovers might explore, including beef heart stew or even beef heart recipes slow cooker style.

Step 3: Make the Cilantro-Lime Sauce

  1. While the heart marinates, make the sauce. Combine cilantro, lime juice, sour cream, mayo, garlic, and salt in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Step 4: Grill the Beef Heart

  1. Preheat your grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the heart from the marinade and grill for about 3–4 minutes per side, depending on thickness. You want a nice char on the outside while keeping the inside tender and just a touch pink.
  2. Rest the meat for 5 minutes after grilling. Then slice thinly across the grain, just like you would for carne asada or similar diced beef recipes.

Step 5: Assemble the Tacos

  1. Warm your tortillas (directly on the burner for that signature char if you’re brave). Spread a bit of the cilantro-lime sauce on each tortilla, add a few slices of beef heart, and top with slaw, avocado slices, and pickled onions. A squeeze of lime over the top seals the deal.