Lengua en Salsa Criolla is a traditional Colombian recipe. This beef tongue recipe is full of flavor and it melts in your mouth.
Lengua en Salsa Criolla is a dish that I’ve wanted to make for some time but wasn't able to find cow’s tongue in my local grocery. When Rumba meats asked me to make a recipe using their product, I knew I had to make this traditional Colombian dish. Believe or not, today’s recipe has been one of the most requested dishes from my readers, dating back to 2009. I am excited to finally share the Lengua en Salsa Criolla recipe with everyone, with the help of Rumba of course!
There are many variations of Lengua en Salsa Criolla, depending on the country, the region and even the family that prepares it. My recipe is based on the Colombian version and my family's recipe. It’s very easy to make and full of flavor. My mom usually serves it with white rice, a cabbage salad and ripe plantain on the side.
This is one of those dishes that can cause extreme reactions. My grandmother's and mom’s generations adore this dish, while the younger generations in my family are not big fans of eating tongue. Regardless of your culinary experience with cow tongue, I recommend that you try this dish! If you're already a fan, then good'o, as they say 'Down Under' and if not, why not give it a try? I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the amazing flavor and texture of this cut of meat.
Ingredients You'll Need
The printable recipe card with exact amounts and cooking directions is below.
Beef Tongue: You can order it from your local butcher or check the specialty meats section at the supermarket.
Vegetables: Scallions, onions, tomatoes and garlic.
Oil: You can use canola, olive or vegetable oil to make this recipe.
Spices: Salt, pepper and ground cumin.
Herbs: Cilantro or parsley.
Broth: Use a good quality beef broth.
How to Make Lengua en Salsa
- Cook tongue: Rinse the tongue well with water and place in a large pot. Add water, the scallions, salt and pepper.
- Cover pot and bring to a boil. Simmer, partially covered, until tongue is tender, 2 ½ to 3 hours.
- Transfer tongue to a cutting board and, when cool enough to handle, peel off the skin and trim any fat or gristle. Set aside.
- Make the creole sauce: Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onions, tomatoes, garlic, scallions,ground cumin and cook gently for 10 minutes, stirring until softened.
- Reduce the heat to low, add the salt and cook for 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally until the sauce has thickened. Check and adjust the seasoning. Slice tongue and add it to the sauce with the beef broth and continue cooking for about 10 minutes more.
More Unique Colombian Recipes
Oxtail, Rice and Vegetable Soup
Disclosure: This recipe was sponsored by Rumba Meats®, while all photos, recipes, opinions and ideas are my own.
Lengua en Salsa Criolla (Colombian-Style Tongue with Creole Sauce) Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 3 to 4 pounds beef tongue
- 5 scallions
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large onion sliced
- 3 cups diced tomatoes
- 4 scallions diced
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- ½ cup of beef broth
- Salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Cook tongue: Rinse the tongue well with water and place in a large pot. Add water, the scallions, salt and pepper.
- Cover pot and bring to a boil. Simmer, partially covered, until tongue is tender, 2 ½ to 3 hours.
- Transfer tongue to a cutting board and, when cool enough to handle, peel off the skin and trim any fat or gristle. Set aside.
- Make the creole sauce: Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onions, tomatoes, garlic, scallions,ground cumin and cook gently for 10 minutes, stirring until softened.
- Reduce the heat to low, add the salt and cook for 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally until the sauce has thickened. Check and adjust the seasoning. Slice tongue and add it to the sauce with the beef broth and continue cooking for about 10 minutes more.
Notes
- If you own a pressure cooker, you can cook the tongue faster.
- If you cook it on the stove be sure the heat is low and cook it for about 3 hours or until is soft and done. If you don't cook it long enough it will be hard.
Hebe
I am a Puerto Rican lady and have traveled a lot and eaten food from different cultures, places, and restaurants but our Latin food is still my favorite. I just love your blog and recipes. Some are similar to ours here in the Caribbean yet others are completely new, with different techniques and surprising combinations of ingredients. I encourage you to continue enriching our knowledge of Colombian gastronomy and enhancing it all with the beautiful photos. I am a big fan of yours.
HEBE
Luis Felipe Montoya Pelaez
Hello!
Love your blog! Made the arroz con pollo last night and it was just as my mother makes it! I love tongue! How do I cook it in a pressure cooker?
Erica Dinho
The same way, but it will take less time to cook. About 1 hour.
Rafael
I live in Puerto Rico and that cow tongue is made or beef. I know exactly the same as in Puerto Rico it must be very tasty.u mmmmmm I love
Penny Murcia
I learned to love tongue thanks to my Colombian husband. I too had difficulty finding it - but now my local Costco carries it! I experimented with cooking it in the Instant Pot and have discovered that in 55 minutes on high pressure I get a tender, perfectly cooked 2 lb tongue!!