Beef Tongue

[ETHIKILL]

My buddy asked if I'd smoke a Beef Tongue for him, and I agreed knowing nothing about cooking tongue.  So naturally I searched here and googled it and came up with a game plan.   I took bits and pieces from everything I had read and will now share my process and experience.  I started out with a standard beef tongue and made a simple brine: salt, white and brown sugar and water.  I brined about 12 hours overnight, then dumped the brine and let soak in water for another 6 hours.  These times were determined based on my personal time frame for that day. 

Here is the tongue skin on.



After brining and soaking, I parboiled the tongue for 1.5 hours to remove the skin.  I boiled in water, 1 beer, 3 bay leaves, 2 tbs chopped garlic, salt pepper, and a small onion.

Tongue after boiling skin removed.




I made a sugarless rub of whatever was within reach in the spice cabinet: smoked hungarian paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayene, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, marjoram, etc.  I coated the tongue in spicy brown mustard to adhere the rub.



Since I wanted to get as much bang for my buck while running the smoker I rolled a fatty.



I popped both in the OBS @ 225 or so for about 2 hours under a Jim Beam smoke until IT on the tongue was 160. I smoked the fatty above the tongue figuring any bacon drippings would be good. 

Here are the results.




I will say that I did not like the tip of the tongue.  Flavor was good but too fibrous for me.  The base of the tongue was awesome.  So many have compared to prime rib, and I will too.  My buddy stopped over to reap the rewards and we just ate most of it right off the cutting board.  I had every intention of having tacos de lengue, but it never made it that far.  We saved some for a christening we were heading to the following day to share with some other friends. 

Well that's about it for my experience with Smoked Beef Tongue, thanks for reading.

[muebe]

Nice job on the tongue :P

My only experience eating tongue is on a torta. My first experience getting tongue was with Sarah ::)

[Keymaster]

When I was a youngster my mom used to pressure cook cows tongue and we always ate cows tongue sammy's I remember it being really good but I don't think I would buy one today. You did a good job, thanks for sharing :)

[devo]

I have tasted it before from moose and deer. Not one of my favs. Just something about this BIG TONGUE starring you in the eye  :-\

[ghost9mm]

Never had smoked beef tongue, but at age 73 I have eaten it just about every other way..my Dad and grandpa used to pickle the beef tongue and jar it...You done a really great job on that beef tongue and love the pictures...

[bears fan]

If it tastes like prime rib.....I think I will take your word for it and just eat prime rib :D

[seemore]

Good job on the tongue . done some A long time ago mine was done different but still good
seemore

[La Quinta]

dang muebe...you went out on a limb with that comment...but ok...all adults here!

First time I had tongue...I was about 8...Mom put it on the table and said, "eat it, and we'll tell you what it is later...." so we ate it...me and my brother..ate it...it was really good...but it did make us the freak kids who had tongue sandwiches to trade at lunch!  :D

[muebe]

dang muebe...you went out on a limb with that comment...but ok...all adults here!

First time I had tongue...I was about 8...Mom put it on the table and said, "eat it, and we'll tell you what it is later...." so we ate it...me and my brother..ate it...it was really good...but it did make us the freak kids who had tongue sandwiches to trade at lunch!  :D

Sorry.....My comment was meant to be in "Tongue and Cheek" :D

I was 12 years old and my first real kiss and......nevermind ::)

[Chili Head]

I've never had cooked tongue but I would try it! Yours looked good!


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[ETHIKILL]

The base of the tongue was definitely good, as was the overall experience.  I will also agree that if you want something that tastes like prime rib, get prime rib.  I would smoke another one, but will leave all the prep work to someone else.