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Calves' Liver with Bacon

Name: Calves' Liver with Bacon
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Calves' Liver with Bacon
Ingredients: 400g calves liver sliced thin; 6 rashers of smoked streaky bacon; 2 medium onions peeled and sliced; 50g plain flour for dusting; 15g butter for frying; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 125ml beef stock; 1 teaspoon fresh sage chopped; 0.5 teaspoon salt; 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Calves’ Liver with Bacon is a classic British dish that combines tender meat with salty bacon. It is a nutritious meal that is very quick to cook on a busy weeknight. The mild flavour of the liver pairs perfectly with crispy rashers and sweet onions. Serve it with creamy mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables for a traditional dinner.

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Why you should try calves' liver with bacon

This recipe for calves’ liver with bacon focuses on simple techniques to keep the meat soft. Using a hot pan ensures the outside gets a nice colour while the inside remains juicy. The addition of onions creates a natural gravy that ties the whole meal together. It is a reliable way to enjoy offal with familiar flavours that everyone likes.

Step by step: calves' liver with bacon

Step 1

Prepare ingredients: Dust the slices of liver lightly in flour seasoned with salt and pepper. Slice the onions into thin rings and set them aside. Cut the bacon rashers into smaller pieces if you prefer them bite sized.

Step 2

Fry the bacon: Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Add the bacon and fry until it becomes crispy and golden. Add the onions to the pan and cook them in the bacon fat until they are soft and brown.

Step 3

Cook the liver: Remove the bacon and onions from the pan and keep them warm. Add the butter to the same pan and increase the heat. Fry the calves’ liver with bacon fat for about two minutes on each side until browned but still slightly pink in the middle.

Step 4

Make the sauce: Return the bacon and onions to the pan and pour in the beef stock. Add the fresh sage and let the liquid simmer for a minute to thicken slightly. Serve the meal immediately while the sauce is hot and glossy.

Useful tips for calves' liver with bacon

Do not overcook the meat because it can become tough and grainy very quickly. Calves’ liver with bacon is best when the liver is still slightly pink and tender in the centre. You can soak the liver in milk for thirty minutes before cooking to make the flavour even milder. Make sure the pan is very hot before adding the liver to get a good sear.

Using smoked bacon adds a deeper flavour to the simple onion gravy. Always slice your onions thinly so they soften at the same rate as the bacon crisps up. If the sauce is too thin, you can simmer it for an extra minute to reduce the liquid.

You can also try these recipes: cod fishcakes, roast rib of beef or cheesecake.

Ingredients

servings

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400 g calves liver sliced thin
6 rashers of smoked streaky bacon
2 medium onions peeled and sliced
50 g plain flour for dusting
15 g butter for frying
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
125 ml beef stock
1 teaspoon fresh sage chopped
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking time

Nutrition information

NUTRITIONper serving

Energy:3138 kJ / 750 kcal
Fat:43 g
- of which saturates:15 g
Carbohydrates:37 g
- of which sugars:6 g
Protein:49 g
Fibre:3 g
Salt:2.5 g

To keep the meat tender, fry it quickly over a high heat for only two minutes per side. Overcooking is the most common reason for tough liver, so aim for a slightly pink middle when making calves' liver with bacon.

Can I reheat calves' liver with bacon the next day?

You can reheat calves' liver with bacon gently in a pan with a splash of water or stock to prevent it from drying out. Be careful not to cook it for too long during reheating as the liver may become hard.

What should I serve with a traditional liver and bacon dish?

The most traditional accompaniment for this dish is a large portion of buttery mashed potatoes and steamed green peas. The potatoes help soak up the delicious onion gravy made during the cooking process.