FOOD NEWS
The Popular Cut Of Beef That America Largely Ignores
BY Holly Tishfield
Largely overlooked in America, lengua is a tender, distinctive beef cut that's popular in Latin America. It's deemed a delicacy often used in tacos, stews, and sandwiches.
"Lengua," which translates to "tongue" in Spanish, is also a beloved ingredient in the Philippines. It's harvested from the cow's tongue at the same time as other cuts of beef.
Preparing lengua always begins with washing it and removing extra fat. From there, you can boil it for hours in a pot of water and spices or marinate overnight and sear it in oil.
Lengua's outer layer is almost always peeled away before cooking or after. Once cooked, it can be sliced or shredded, ready for eating, or fried again with new seasonings.