Epic Paleo Liver Recipes

We just returned from our Thanksgiving visit to Montreal, and one of the appetizers we devoured at Joe Beef reminded me how much I love the earthy, iron-y flavor of liver… particularly in the form of silky paté. But as you’ll see below, other liver recipes can be very delicious, too.

Aside from its lusciousness (when it’s properly prepared), there are plenty of nutritious reasons to eat this offal stuff.

According to Chris Kresser, “[I]n some traditional cultures, only the organ meats were consumed. The lean muscle meats, which are what we mostly eat in the U.S. today, were discarded or perhaps given to the dogs.”

Truly, liver is like a multi-vitamin in a protein suit. It includes vitamins A, B-12, B-6, and C, along with folate, riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, selenium, zinc, iron, phosphorus, and magnesium.

A package for me arrived a few weeks ago from the nice folks at Barefoot Provisions and Epic Bar. Inside, were bags of the new Epic Bites in Beef Liver & Beef flavor. I was cautiously optimistic. Although I do like smoked meats and I enjoy a chewy texture, I’m not a fan of beef jerky. Something about it isn’t quite right for me—kind of like how I love front squats and overhead presses, but loathe thrusters. I was also a little worried that the beef liver bites would taste like this:

I was totally wrong!

Epic Bites Beef Liver & Beef bites are delicious.

Made from 100% grass-fed beef and livers, these bites are very tender but not soggy or mushy. I love the texture; it’s just right. They have a nice clean, meaty flavor, and if you’re squeamish about liver, these are made for you. The liver flavor is camouflaged by the sweet beef flavor and the ideal seasoning of salt and pepper.  Each serving packs 10 grams of protein, so I’ve been eating them as a snack with half an apple and a few nuts. It’s delicious and super satisfying—plus portable. It’s very easy to tuck a snack pack into your purse or backpack on busy days or when you’re having adventures.

Barefoot Provisions is the exclusive retailer right now; get yourself some Beef Liver & Beef Bites!

Now, if you’re ready to explore some home-cooked liver options, I’ve rounded up all my offal recipes. (That joke will never get old for me.)

More Luscious Liver Recipes (Really!)

Crispy Spiced Chicken Livers

Crunchy and seasoned with a blend of smoked paprika and cumin, these chicken livers are a very good “gateway” recipe if eating liver is a new thing for you.

Aromatic Chicken Livers

Pan-sautéed for tenderness and packed with flavor—cloves, cumin, and paprika—these livers have an exotic flavor.

Beef Liver with Parsley, Onion, and Lemon

Beef liver is mild, sweet, and tender when you follow the easy instructions in this recipe. The parsley-onions, with just the right touch of lemon, are a bright, welcome contrast to the dark, richness of the liver.

Chopped Chicken Livers

Hard-boiled eggs incorporated into the livers make this creamy and smooth—and help cut some of the richness of the liver. The caraway seeds add just a touch of flavoring, and the parsley and lemon juice brighten things up. If you’re not a caraway fan, you might try coriander or cumin seeds instead.