Beef, heart (lb)

Beef heart is a nutrient-dense and versatile cut of meat, often compared to a lean, flavorful steak. It's used in a wide variety of dishes globally.

Here are several product and meal ideas for beef heart:

Main Course Meals

• Grilled Beef Heart Steak or Skewers: Slice it into steaks or cubes, marinate (often with an acid like lemon juice or vinegar to tenderize), and then quickly grill or pan-sear like a regular steak.

  • Popular Example: Peruvian Anticuchos (Skewers marinated in a paste of aji panca, cumin, oregano, and vinegar).

• Ground Beef Heart Blends: Ground heart can be mixed with regular ground beef to create leaner, more nutrient-rich versions of classic dishes.

  • Beef Heart Burgers and Meatballs

  • Used in Chili, Meat Sauces (like Ragu or Bolognese), and Taco Meat.

• Slow-Cooked & Braised Dishes: Beef heart's muscular nature makes it excellent for long, slow cooking, which results in a very tender product.

  • Beef Heart Stew (Classic or variations like Moroccan Heart Stew)

  • Braised Beef Heart (with wine, broth, and vegetables, similar to a pot roast or Bourguignon)

• Stir-fry or Sauté: Cut into thin strips and quickly stir-fry with vegetables and savory sauces.

• Stuffed Heart: The whole heart can be butterflied and stuffed with a savory mixture (like bacon, onions, mushrooms, and spinach) and then baked or braised.

Specialty & Convenience Products

• Jerky: Dried and seasoned beef heart strips make a high-protein snack, similar to beef jerky.

• Pet Treats: Cooked, sliced, and dehydrated beef heart is a popular, highly nutritious treat for dogs.

• Organ Meat Blend: Finely ground or pureed beef heart mixed with other organ meats (like liver or kidney) can be sold for those looking to discreetly incorporate more organs into their diet.

• Ready-to-Cook Marinated Strips: Pre-cut and marinated beef heart strips (e.g., "Gourmet Beef Heart Stir-Fry Strips" or "Anticuchos Prep Kit") for quick weeknight meals.

• Pâté/Spread: Beef heart can be cooked down, pureed, and mixed with fat (like tallow or butter) and seasonings to create a rich pâté.

Global Inspirations

• Cincinnati Chili: Traditionally, some early versions of this regional chili used ground beef heart.

• Sweet and Sour Heart: A pan-seared or stir-fried heart dish with a sweet and sour sauce component.

• Beef Heart Tartare: For the very adventurous, a dish of finely minced raw beef heart seasoned with herbs and spices.