Quick and Easy Beef Heart Tacos Recipe

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These beef heart tacos will help you take your taco Tuesday to a new level. Season succulent beef heart with cumin and oregano, then brown to tender perfection on a skillet in five minutes. Pair that with refreshing and crunchy toppings to create an irresistible taco experience that’s both unique and satisfying. And the best part is that it comes together quickly in 15 minutes.

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Tired of the same old ground beef taco meat? Make heart tacos instead! You’ll be surprised how easily you can make a nutrient-dense meal in 15 minutes —no need to worry about complicated recipes or spending hours slaving away by the stove. 

With just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll have a satisfying and healthy meal on the table in no time.

Heart tacos are a nutrient-dense and cost-effective dinner idea that also lets you explore new flavors and add variety to your meals. 

The tender beef heart, tossed in cumin and oregano, is paired with the fresh and crunchy toppings, creating a flavorful combination that will keep you coming back for more. Plus, you can customize the toppings to suit your tastes or what you currently have on hand and make it a taco fiesta that everyone will love.

So, why settle for boring tacos when you can enjoy a nutrient-packed, budget-friendly, and totally delicious meal with heart tacos? It’s time to step up your taco game and savor the goodness of this unique and delicious cut of beef.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Short prep and cooking time – A meal doesn’t get quicker than this. The meat cooks in just a few minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. 
• Amazing flavors – The heart is a muscle and therefore doesn’t have the strong flavor usually associated with organ meats. When trimmed, beef heart is very similar to common muscle cuts we’re all familiar with.
• Budget-friendly – Beef heart is a cost-effective choice compared to other cuts of meat, making heart tacos a great option to routinely have on your menu plan.
• Basic kitchen equipment – You only need basic kitchen tools such as a cutting board, sharp knife, skillet, and spatula to prepare these hearty tacos. No fancy tools required!
• Easy-to-follow directions – This recipe is great for beginner cooks as well as pro chefs. It’s simple enough yet delivers tasty results. 
• Minimal cleanup – Have all the toppings ready ahead of time for a cleanup that is a breeze!

How to Make Heart Tacos

Heart tacos come together quickly in 15 minutes with only five main ingredients for the meat filling and the prep of your favorite taco toppings. 

You can have this flavorful and hearty meal on the table in no time! 

Ingredients You Need

For the meat:

• Beef heart – With its mild and savory flavor, beef heart offers a delicious contrast to other taco ingredients. When properly trimmed and diced into cubes, it cooks quickly and becomes a very tender and tasty cut of meat.
• Ground cumin – Infuses the heart with warm and earthy notes. 
• Oregano powder – Adds savory and aromatic element to the beef heart, contributing to the rich and delicious overall taste.
• Butter – Used to brown the beef heart. Butter imparts a rich flavor to the meat and prevents the heart from sticking to the skillet during cooking. You may use another healthy cooking fat like lard, tallow, or ghee. 
• Garlic – Infuses the butter with a garlicky taste and adds an amazing depth of flavor.

I suggest buying beef heart directly from a local farm or online from White Oak Pastures.

For the tacos:

• Corn tortillas – A shell to contain the beef heart and all the taco toppings. 
• Red bell pepper – Adds vibrant color and fresh crunch to the tacos. 
• Red onion – Brings a piquant flavor and pairs well with the beef heart.
• Sour cream – Complements the other ingredients and adds moisture to the overall texture of the tacos. 
• Queso fresco – Adds a smooth and creamy texture.
• Cilantro – Adds a burst of herbaceous freshness and a pop of color with practically zero calories.

Ingredient Substitutions

Even though this is such a simple recipe, you might be missing one of the key ingredients. Review the recommendations here for quick and clever substitutions.

Here are suggested substitutions:

• Beef heart – Instead of whole heart, use ground beef heart mixed with ground beef.
• Tortilla choices – Soft corn tortillas are suggested, but you can use hard shells or regular flour tortillas instead. If you’re on a low-carb or keto diet, substitute with a low-carb tortilla. Cauliflower tortillas or lettuce wraps would also make a great option too. 
• Seasonings – Experiment with chili powder, paprika, or a taco seasoning blend for a spicier kick. 
• Topping options – Customize your tacos with various toppings like diced tomatoes, sliced avocado or guacamole, and other cheeses like cheddar or Mexican blend. Top with pico de gallo, salsa verde, or avocado salsa. 

Variations

Want to add your own spin? Make these fun variations and stretch this recipe into more delightful renditions.

Try these heart tacos variations:

• Add an Asian twist to the tacos by using teriyaki sauce or soy-free soy sauce as a glaze for the beef heart, and serve the tacos with cabbage slaw, red onions, and a drizzle of sriracha mayo.
• Transform the tacos into a hearty taco salad by serving the cooked beef heart over a bed of lettuce, topped with your favorite taco toppings and creamy avocado ranch. 
• Swap the traditional toppings for Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Top the tacos with sliced olives, crumbled feta cheese, cucumber, and a drizzle of lemon dressing for a refreshing and tangy twist. 

• Dairy-free – Omit the sour cream and cheese topping and swap butter with ghee or avocado oil.
• Paleo diet – Use a grain-free tortilla or a lettuce wrap to hold the taco ingredients. For strict paleo, omit sour cream and cheese and use ghee or avocado oil to cook the garlic and beef heart. 
• GAPS diet – Use raw cheddar instead of queso blanco and homemade sour cream. 
• Whole30 diet – Swap the butter with ghee or avocado oil and omit sour cream and cheese topping. 

This recipe is nut-free, grain-free, egg-free, nightshade-free, and phytate-free. Plus, it’s one of my favorite low-histamine recipes.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Start with a trimmed beef heart, dice it, and season it with a simple blend of cumin and oregano. 

Beef heart cooks quickly, so it’s best to have all the toppings lined up and ready to go before the meat hits the skillet. 

Follow these simple directions, and you can’t go wrong!

1. Dice the heart into half-inch cubes. Toss in a bowl with cumin and oregano.
2. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and saute for two minutes or until fragrant and soft. 
3. Add the cubed heart meat to the garlic butter and cook in an even layer until browned. Flip or stir-fry until all sides are browned evenly.
4. Serve immediately with all the taco fixings.

Expert Tips

• Buy trimmed beef heart. As your butcher to trim it for you, this is the easiest way. 
• But if you buy a whole or half heart that isn’t trimmed yet, it’s also pretty easy to trim it yourself. Start by cutting away excess fat from the surface of the heart, then separate the tough connective tissues and leave just the lean muscle tissue. 
• Don’t overcook the meat. Beef heart cooks very quickly, so it may be done in one or two minutes, depending on how small you cut the meat. You can test the doneness of beef heart by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the beef pieces. Take the beef heart off the heat when the internal temperature reaches 130 F.  
• Taste and adjust. I always recommend tasting the beef heart before assembling the tacos so you can adjust the seasoning as you like best. 

Nutritional Info

This recipe yields six heart tacos.

Per serving:

• 228 calories
• 17 g protein
• 12 g fat
• 14 g total carbs *with corn tortillas. Use a low-carb option to reduce the total carb count.
• 2 g fiber
• 12 g net carbs

Please note that the nutritional value will change if you substitute ingredients. Use a nutrition app to recalculate and reflect your changes.

How to Store This Recipe

To store beef tacos, keep the meat separate from the other ingredients in a transparent airtight container. Store beef heart in the refrigerator for up to four days. 

To reheat, gently heat a skillet over medium heat. Add a little oil or butter to the skillet if needed. Add the diced beef heart and reheat until warmed through, stirring occasionally. Avoid overheating to prevent it from becoming tough and dry. 

Can I make heart tacos ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the meat ahead of time and keep it stored in an airtight container until ready to assemble the tacos. I don’t recommend making the tacos, complete with tortillas and all the toppings ahead of time. 

Can I freeze heart tacos?

You can freeze the beef heart meat separately from the taco toppings. Keep the meat in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat per the instructions above.

What to Serve with Heart Tacos

You can pair heart tacos with various delicious sides and condiments to create a well-rounded and satisfying meal.

Serve heart tacos with Spanish rice, refried beans, and street corn. You can also serve cauliflower rice as a low-carb alternative. 

When it comes to all the fun taco toppings, the possibilities are endless. Top your tacos with red or green salsa, various kinds of cheese, sour cream, diced onions, and more!

More Beef Heart Recipes To Try

• Braised Beef Heart Recipe – a perfect one-pot comfort food
• Easy Beef Heart Meatballs – quick, oven-baked meal prep-friendly protein
• Beef Heart Bunless Burgers – low-carb and gluten-free
• Gluten-Free Keto Meatza with Beef Heart – cheesy and family-friendly

If you make these heart tacos, please leave a review. I appreciate each 5-star rating and review comment!