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Lamb or goat tacos de lengua
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5 from 1 vote

Spicy Lamb Tongue Tacos (or Goat)

Simple, mildly spicy tacos de lengua made with lamb or goat tongues.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Tongue Braising Time2 hours
Total Time3 hours 15 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Lamb Tongue, Lengua, Tacos
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 277kcal
Cost: 10

Equipment

  • 1 small braising pot

Ingredients

For cooking the tongues

  • 2 lb lamb or goat tongues approximately 8-10 tongues
  • 1 small carrot
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 rib celery
  • 1 dried bay leaf
  • 1 large clove garlic crushed
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt

Tomato sauce

  • 2 tablespoons cooking fat like lamb tallow, or just cooking oil
  • 1 large jalapeno remove the seeds if you don’t like it spicy
  • 2 cups tomato juice
  • Fresh chopped cilantro to taste
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin or to taste
  • 1 large clove garlic grated or minced
  • 1 small onion finely chopped

For serving (pick and choose your favorites)

  • Fresh corn tortillas
  • Avocados
  • Lime wedges
  • Sour cream
  • Chopped fresh cilantro
  • Grated cheese like queso fresco
  • Sides like rice and beans refried beans, or cabbage slaw

Instructions

  • Put the tongues in a saucepot that can accommodate them along with the remaining ingredients for cooking the tongues. Cover the tongues and vegetables with water by a inch, then bring to a simmer, turn the heat to low, cover, and cook until easily pierced with a knife, about 1.5-2 hours.
  • Cool the tongues in their liquid until you can handle them, then peel each one, chill, and slice into ¼ inch thick slices.
  • For the tomato sauce, in a 3 qt or similar size sauce pan, heat the garlic in the oil until golden and light brown on medium-high heat, then add the onion, cumin and jalapeno and cook for a minute more.
  • Add the sliced tongue and tomato juice or puree, then simmer until the mixture is slightly thickened, but still juicy, about 15 minutes.
  • Adjust the heat for salt, stir in some chopped fresh cilantro, and serve with garnishes and side dishes alongside.
  • Take corn tortillas and put them directly on a fire, heating only one side, until it has a few attractive spot of char. Wrap finished tortillas in a towel or dish cloth and pass at the table.

Notes

Lamb, goat, or venison tongues can be used in this recipe, or you could use beef tongue or pork tongue, which will take longer to cook. 

Nutrition

Serving: 2tacos | Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 281mg | Sodium: 1980mg | Potassium: 941mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 559IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 11mg