Calves Liver and Onions Recipe & Apples – Oma's Leber und Zwiebeln (2024)

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Calves Liver and Onions Recipe & Apples – Oma's Leber und Zwiebeln (1)

by: Gerhild Fulson / Cookbook Author, Blogger, German Oma!

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This easy liver and onionsrecipe, akaLeber und Zwiebeln, has a secret ingredient: apples. A hubby and kid-pleaser, this one is quick to make.

It's a recipe I learned from my Mutti. It's what is popular in Berlin, the area she grew up in. With the added apples and onions, it was so good, that I used to wonder why other kids would make faces at me when I told them I had liver for dinner.

Mutti would often serve bacon alongside this. Now, THAT was a treat! Have a look at the Notes/Hints section in the recipe card below for info on this.

The best liver to use for this is calves liver. Although it is usually pricier, it really is worth it. It's the tenderest and mildest in flavor. Next in quality is beef liver, then pork liver, and then lamb liver.

Check out what Oma says below!

Calves Liver and Onions Recipe & Apples – Oma's Leber und Zwiebeln (4)

I love to serve this with fries and veggies. It's also wunderbar served on a bed of rice. Quick and easy dinner for sure! I think you'll love this!

The addition of the apples to this recipe brings a sweet taste to the finished dish. Add bacon … and everyone will be coming back for seconds.

There’s something absolutely mouth-watering about having a German meat-and-potato dinner. Get Oma's revised collection of her favorites inGerman Meat Dishes.

Calves Liver and Onions Recipe & Apples – Oma's Leber und Zwiebeln (5)

Take a peek at all Oma's eCookbooks. They make sharing your German heritage a delicious adventure!

Oma says:

If you are using a stronger flavored liver, such as beef, pork, or sheep, it is advisable to soak it for several hours in milk.

To use the liver, wipe it first with a damp paper towel, and then remove the thin outer skin and any veins. Never cook it too long, as it will become tough.

This is really nice if you fry up some bacon slices as well. Serve them alongside, just as shown in the above photo.

Ready for liver and onions?

Calves Liver and Onions Recipe & Apples – Oma's Leber und Zwiebeln (7)

Calves Liver and Onions Recipe & Apples – Oma's Leber und Zwiebeln

This easy liver and onions recipe, aka Leber und Zwiebeln, has a secret ingredient: apples. A hubby and kid-pleaser, this one is quick to make.

The best liver to use for this is calves liver. Although it is usually more expensive, it really is worth it. It's the tenderest and mildest in flavor. Next in quality is beef liver, then pork liver, and then lamb liver.

This is really nice served with bacon. Check out the Notes/Hints below!

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

15 minutes

Total Time

30 minutes

Servings:

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

  • 4 slices calves' liver (about 5 ounces each)
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 5 tablespoonsbutter or oil, divided
  • salt, pepper, sugar
  • 3 apples, peeled, sliced ½-inch thick
  • 2 onions, sliced

Instructions:

  1. In saucepan, heat 2 tablespoonsbutter or oil.
  2. Add apple and onion slices and sauté until soft. Sprinkle with a bit of sugar.
  3. Remove from pan and keep warm.
  4. Remove any skin from liver. Dust with flour.
  5. In saucepan, heat 3 tablespoonsbutter or oil and fry liver on both sides about 4 minutes.
  6. Season liver with salt and pepper. Add a bit of water to the pan and stir to make a bit of gravy to pour over.
  7. Serve liver with onions and apples.

Notes/Hints:

  • Fry 8 slices of bacon in the frying pan. Remove from pan and set aside. Use the bacon fat to sauté the apple and onion slices, adding more butter if needed. Remove the crispy strips and serve them on top of the liver.
  • Like liver? Then do try the liver dumplings soup, a super traditional German recipe!

* * * * *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

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Calves Liver and Onions Recipe & Apples – Oma's Leber und Zwiebeln (19)

German Liver and Onions Recipe & apples made Just like Oma

By Oma Gerhild Fulson
Calves Liver and Onions Recipe & Apples – Oma's Leber und Zwiebeln (20)
This easy liver and onions recipe is so tasty with the added apples. A hubby and kid pleaser, this is quick to make.

Ingredients: liver,flour,butter,seasonings,apples,onions,

For the full recipe, scroll up ...

Words to the Wise

"The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise."

Proverbs 23:24 (NLT)

Top of Liver and Onions Recipe

Calves Liver and Onions Recipe & Apples – Oma's Leber und Zwiebeln (2024)

FAQs

Should you soak calf liver before cooking? ›

Some chefs insist on soaking in salt and lemon water. Others opt to soak in ice water or milk to lessen the intensity from an older animal. Others suggest that you should never soak a fresh liver and that its quick preparation is part of the appeal.

How do you tenderize your liver and calves? ›

Pat the liver dry with a paper towel before submerging it in whole milk, buttermilk or red wine in a covered container or resealable, plastic bag. Let the liver marinate in the liquid for 30 to 60 minutes in your fridge. The liquid will tenderize the meat and help minimize the liver's mineral taste.

What animal is calf liver from? ›

Calf liver.

Also called veal liver, it comes from young cows (under 1 year old). It's similar to beef liver and can be cooked in similar ways. But it has a more tender texture.

What animal is liver and onions? ›

Liver and onions is a dish consisting of slices of liver (usually pork, beef, chicken or, in the United Kingdom, lamb) and bulb onions. The liver and the onions are usually sautéed or otherwise cooked together, but sometimes they may be sautéed separately and mixed together afterwards.

Is it better to soak liver in milk or lemon juice? ›

Milk. While we are used to soaking liver in vinegar or lemon to get rid of the bad smell and kill any remaining toxins, American and European chefs advise to soak liver in milk. Yes, that's right: Milk! They claim that in addition to getting rid of toxins that usually are present in raw liver, milk helps tenderizing it ...

Do you need to wash your liver before cooking? ›

Absolutely! It is also a good idea to lightly rinse the liver before patting dry and placing in whole milk (to cover), soak in fridge for about an hour before coating with flour and frying. After doing this, you'll find that the taste is unbelievable!

Which is healthier, beef liver or calf liver? ›

Beef liver is harvested from adult cows, resulting in a stronger flavor and firmer texture. Taste: Calf liver is generally considered to have a milder taste compared to beef liver. Nutritional balance: Calf liver is considered a healthier option due to its rich vitamins and minerals.

Which animal liver is toxic? ›

The livers of polar bears, walruses, bearded seals, and huskies can contain very high levels of preformed vitamin A, and their consumption has led to vitamin A poisoning (hypervitaminosis A) according to several anecdotal reports. The Inuit will not eat the liver of polar bears or bearded seals.

What animal liver is closest to human? ›

Unlike the canine liver, the liver anatomy of non-human primates is similar to that of humans. After the initial liver transplant studies in dogs and the subsequent experience in pigs, the latter became the preferred large animal model due to its similarity to the human anatomy, as well as easy accessibility.

What nationality eats liver and onions? ›

Liver and onions has its origins in Jewish cuisine. Jewish culture has been alive in Polish culture for centuries and has influenced also Polish cuisine. Liver and Onions is one of the most popular ways of preparing the liver.

Should liver be cooked fast or slow? ›

To prepare the liver, blot it dry with paper towels, then sprinkle it with seasonings. Carefully wipe the skillet clean with paper towels (it will be hot), add more oil, and cook the livers. Cook them briefly - about 3 minutes per side over medium heat. You don't want them overcooked.

Does liver need to be soaked? ›

Soak the liver in a dish or bowl of milk for 30-60 minutes. This is an important step in removing the bitter flavor from the liver. Salt and pepper the liver generously, and leave it out at room temperature while you prepare the remaining ingredients. Pat the liver dry.

Should you marinate liver before cooking? ›

Liver should be marinated for at least 2-4 hours, or ideally overnight. This allows the flavors to fully penetrate the meat and tenderize it for a more enjoyable eating experience.

Should you soak lamb's liver in milk? ›

ALWAYS soak your liver in milk for at least 2 hours before cooking it. This will draw out the blood and impurities leftover in the meat which will lessen the metallic taste and soften the meat. In terms of cooking, liver can be tricky to get right.

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