
For the food Beef, variety meats and by-products, liver, raw the typical serving size is 1 liver (or 589 g) which contains 28.86 mg of Iron. The iron percentage of the recommended daily value for this serving is 206 %. To give 100% of the RDA, 0.5 servings of the typical serving size 1 liver (or 589 g) give the complete RDA.
Is beef liver more nutritious than pork liver?
Pork liver and beef liver are similar nutritionally, so your health goals should determine which type is more beneficial for you. Although pork liver is richer in antioxidant vitamins, iron and zinc, beef liver has more B-complex vitamins and phosphorus than pork liver.
Is beef liver bad for your health?
While consuming beef liver does warrant some potential considerations, it is overwhelmingly good for you. If you have high cholesterol, liver may not be a good choice for your dietbecause liver is quite high in cholesterol.
Why you should be eating grass fed beef liver?
- An excellent source of high-quality protein
- Nature’s most concentrated source of vitamin A
- All the B vitamins in abundance, particularly vitamin B12
- One of our best sources of folic acid
- A highly usable form of iron
- Trace elements such as copper, zinc and chromium; liver is our best source of copper
- An unidentified anti-fatigue factor
What are the health benefits of eating liver?
Top 5 health benefits of liver
- It's nutrient dense. Rich in protein, low in calories and packed with essential vitamins and minerals, liver is one of the most nutrient-dense foods available.
- Rich source of vitamin A. Liver and liver products such as pâté are a rich source of vitamin A in the form of retinol, which is the ‘active’ form.
- Valuable dietary source of vitamin D. ...
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How much is a serving of beef liver?
about 4 ouncesEven though beef liver nutrition benefits are many, it's generally recommended to not eat liver daily. One serving – about 4 ounces – once a week is often considered sufficient.
How much liver should I eat a day?
Liver is very high in cholesterol. The recommended maximum intake for adults is 300 mg per day. A 3-oz serving of beef liver has 330 mg, which is just over the limit. Lamb liver is higher, at 426 mg per serving, while chicken liver has 536 mg.
How much beef liver is healthy?
Therefore, eating a balanced diet that contains beef liver can provide many health benefits and help support the immune system, the nervous system, growth, development, and reproductive health. The recommended amount of liver consumption is in the range of 100–250 g per week, depending on a person's age and sex.
How often can I eat beef liver?
once per weekEven though liver is incredibly healthy and nutritious, it should not be consumed daily. Eating it once per week is enough.
Can you eat too much beef liver?
Eating large amounts of liver can lead to symptoms of vitamin A toxicity. Your own liver cannot process the excess vitamin A quickly enough, so eating a significant amount of liver regularly might lead to hypervitaminosis A.
Why do you soak liver in milk before cooking?
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.
What are the side effects of eating liver?
Liver is a significant source of cholesterol, and one of the side effects of eating chicken liver, beef liver or other types of liver is that it could raise your blood cholesterol levels.
What is the best liver to eat?
Beef liver is perhaps the most nutritious and healthy meat you can eat - and cooked right it's delicious! Gram for gram, beef liver is probably the most nutritious food on earth. This nutrient-dense organ meat contains substantial amounts of vitamin B12, copper, and many other essential nutrients.
Is liver good for weight loss?
Liver is a great source of high-quality protein. A high protein intake has been shown to increase metabolic rate, reduce appetite, help build muscle and preserve muscle during weight loss.
Does cooking beef liver destroy nutrients?
Even liver from trophy-sized animals (older) is usually delicious. Overcooking destroys nutrients in all foods. The less one cooks liver, the better the nutrition and flavor.
How long does liver last in the fridge?
Raw liver of any kind, whether it's beef liver or chicken, should only be kept in the refrigerator for a maximum of two days. The same applies for raw liver after it is thawed. It must, however, be stored properly in its packaging or in an airtight container at below 40 °F (4.44 °C).
Is liver good for your heart?
Liver also contains folic acid, iron, chromium, copper, and zinc and is known to be particularly good for the heart and for increasing hemoglobin level in the blood.
What are the side effects of eating liver?
Liver is a significant source of cholesterol, and one of the side effects of eating chicken liver, beef liver or other types of liver is that it could raise your blood cholesterol levels.
Is liver fattening to eat?
Per calorie, liver is one of the most nutrient-dense foods around. Compared to muscle meats, it is lower in calories and fat and far superior in terms of vitamins and minerals.
Should I eat liver raw or cooked?
However, most official health agencies recommend against eating raw liver due to the presence of bacterias that can lead to food poisoning. You can receive many of the same benefits and nutrients from cooked liver, and dried liver supplements, without the risks.
Does eating liver help your liver?
This means that consuming liver actually helps your own liver function better. In fact, consuming liver is actually an effective liver cleanse, especially when it's part of an overall healthy diet, because it provides your body and liver with all the nutrients you need in order to eliminate waste from your system.
Beef Liver Nutrition Facts
The following nutrition information is provided by the USDA for 4 ounces (113g) of raw beef liver. 1
Health Benefits
Because it is packed with nutrients and is relatively low in fat (especially for a beef product) beef liver is associated with a number of health benefits.
Allergies
There are some limited reports of meat allergy, but they are are not common. However, it is possible to have a reaction from a tick bite that can produce IgE-mediated reactions to red meat. 6 It is not known if liver consumption would produce these effects.
Adverse Effects
At least one research study has associated the consumption of raw beef liver with a condition called toxocariasis in patients who have eosinophilia (a white blood cell disorder). Researchers found that raw cow liver was a significant cause of infection in these people.
Varieties
Beef liver can be found in some grocery stores, but you may need to go to a butcher to get it or even order it in advance. Because the meat is not commonly consumed in the U.S. some stores don't stock it unless requested. Beef liver can also be ordered online although many cooks advise buying it in person so the product you get is fresh.
Storage and Food Safety
According to the USDA, beef liver should be consumed within one to two days of purchase. Store the organ meat in the refrigerator after bringing it home from the butcher. If you aren't going to consume it within a few days, freeze it. Store in airtight plastic wrap. When properly frozen, it should remain fresh for 3–4 months. 9
How to Prepare
Many people struggle with the taste of beef liver. The organ meat is often described as having an intense, iron taste. It is also often described as bitter, but some cooks soak beef liver in milk to get the bitterness out of the meat.
Macronutrients in Beef Liver
A 3-ounce serving of braised beef liver has 162 calories. The same portion also supplies 24.7 grams of complete protein, which is 54 percent of women's and 44 percent of men's recommended daily allowance. With only 4.5 grams of total fat, a serving of beef liver can fit into your daily fat intake. The problem is in its cholesterol content.
Vitamins in Beef Liver
Beef liver is a rich source of vitamin A, which means it helps keep your eyes, skin and immune system healthy. A 3-ounce serving contains 26,957 international units, or almost 700 percent of your recommended daily allowance. The same portion supplies more than half of your recommended daily allowance of folate and vitamins B-6 and B-12.
Minerals in Beef Liver
Beef liver is well-known as a source of iron and for good reason. A 3-ounce serving supplies 31 percent of women's and 70 percent of men's recommended daily allowance. Iron in red blood cells helps carry oxygen throughout your body. Without a sufficient supply, your risk of developing iron deficiency anemia increases.
Considerations and Preparation
The form of vitamin A you get from liver can become toxic if you eat too much, so you should not consume more than 10,000 international units daily. In spite of its nutritional benefits, with so much vitamin A and cholesterol, consumption of beef liver should be limited. Prepare liver by rinsing it under cold water.
Beef Liver Nutrition
Beef liver is a nutrient-dense, high-protein, and low-carb superfood. In fact, it is so loaded it’s often referred to as nature’s multivitamin. Looking at the nutritional profile, you can see why:
Potential Dangers of Eating Beef Liver
Now that you’re aware of the health benefits of beef liver, we’ll also touch on the potential dangers of eating liver. Though these risks are low and easily avoided, they are worth mentioning.
How Often Should You Eat Liver?
Children should consume beef liver no more than once weekly. But adults can eat beef liver more often.
How to Cook Beef Liver for the Best Health Benefits
Take care to avoid raw or undercooked beef liver due to the risks of hepatitis E and food poisoning. Make sure to cook beef liver to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Beef Liver: The Takeaway
Beef liver as one of nature’s top superfoods. This designation is based on beef liver’s robust nutritional profile and how it may promote and support physical, cognitive, and psychological wellbeing.
CONTENTS OF OUR BEEF LIVER GUIDE
What is Beef Liver? I'll provide some of the basic biology and facts about liver.
Importance of Eating Organic Grass-fed and Grass-finished Beef Liver
Remember, one of the key roles of liver in animals is to filter everything that is eaten. It is always important to choose the best-sourced cuts for the best results.
Nutritional Benefits of Eating Beef Liver
Beef liver has long been widely accepted as highly nutritious and recommended as part of any diet although it has seen a spike in popularity with folks on the Carnivore, Ancestral, and Paleo diets.
Is It Safe to Eat Raw Liver?
Here at TruBeef, we always recommend cooking Liver to a medium/ medium rare but if you are going to try eating raw liver, you should be mindful of three criteria :
What is the Texture of Beef Liver like?
The Most Common Mistake that changes Beef Liver Texture: is overcooking! If overcooked, Beef Liver will dry out and become very chewy very quickly. This key mistake, in my opinion, is the chief reason why so many people are not too fond of the liver.
How to Cook Beef Liver the Right Way
Any cook will tell you the number one rule when cooking beef liver is not to overcook it. Medium, or medium to rare, is the best way to serve any type of liver to get the best flavor and softest texture. If you overcook liver, it becomes tough and loses its delicate texture.
3 Quick and Very Easy Beef Liver Recipes
One of the great things about Liver is that is VERY fast and easy to cook. With the right simple recipes and being careful not to overcook, you can turn this cinderella of the culinary world into a ravishing princess.
The Good News
Once you learn a palatable way to cook it, there's a lot to like about beef liver. In a 100-gram portion -- just under 4 ounces -- there are just 3.6 grams of fat in raw beef liver and only 1.2 grams of saturated fat. It's roughly 20 percent protein by weight when raw, and almost absurdly rich in vitamins and minerals.
Too Much of a Good Thing
The vitamin A content in beef liver is very high, with 100 grams of raw liver containing over three times the recommended daily value. As a fat-soluble vitamin, vitamin A accumulates in your own liver and can cause serious health issues at high levels.
Cholesterol
Although liver is low in fats and saturated fats, it's surprisingly high in cholesterol. The same 100-gram portion of raw beef liver contains 275 milligrams of cholesterol, almost the entire recommended daily value.
Liver Toxins
Liver consumption raises one other issue, not directly related to its nutritive values. The liver and the kidney act as filters for the body, trapping harmful substances and keeping them out of the bloodstream. When a steer is slaughtered, any substances accumulated in its liver can wind up on your plate.
What is beef liver?
Beef liver is often the largest vital organ in cattle and primarily filter toxins, process digested food, and help store essential nutrients [ * ]. Beef liver is considered offal, which is a general term for organ meats in animals. Liver is known for its meaty, metallic taste, soft texture, and sleek grayish red color.
What does beef liver taste like?
Beef liver has a strong meaty and metallic taste characteristic of offal in general. It is sweet, bitter, and meaty all at once, and any combination of those flavors can be brought out with different cooking methods.
3 common ways to cook beef liver
The more you fall in love with liver, the more ways you find to sneak it into your favorite recipes.
Are beef livers healthy?
A resounding, 100%, arms-high-the-air, double-thumbs up YES. Livers are so nutritious on a per calorie basis it’s hard to believe. A modest serving of liver can exceed your daily nutrition needs for many common minerals and vitamins, and it’s lower calorie than sirloin steak.
Where to buy beef liver
Even though livers aren’t extremely popular inside the American home, they are still the most popular offal and are easy to find in most stores and butcher shops.
Our 10 favorite beef liver recipes
If you’re ready to give cooking beef livers a shot, then pick up some 100% pasture-raised beef livers, choose your recipe, and then get going!
The bottom line on cooking beef liver
Beef livers have a mixed rep, but we’d argue that anyone who doesn’t like liver either had a bad liver (meaning not grass-fed or old) or the chef didn’t do it justice. Livers are the original superfood and are wonderfully delicious when prepared correctly. We hope the tips we’ve given you in the blog have inspired you — now go get cooking!
Pregnant Women
Concerns regarding the safety of liver intake during pregnancy are largely due to its vitamin A content.
Those With Gout
Gout is a type of arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. Symptoms include pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints.

Health Benefits
Allergies
- There are some limited reports of meat allergy, but they are are not common. However, it is possible to have a reaction from a tick bite that can produce IgE-mediated reactions to red meat.6 It is not known if liver consumption would produce these effects. If you notice allergy symptoms after eating beef liver, reach out to your healthcare provider for personalized advice.
Adverse Effects
- At least one research study has associated the consumption of raw beef liver with a condition called toxocariasis in patients who have eosinophilia (a white blood cell disorder). Researchers found that raw cow liver was a significant cause of infection in these people.7Those who have the condition or are at risk for it should speak to their healthcare provider before consuming beef live…
Varieties
- Beef liver can be found in some grocery stores, but you may need to go to a butcher to get it or even order it in advance. Because the meat is not commonly consumed in the U.S. some stores don't stock it unless requested. Beef liver can also be ordered online although many cooks advise buying it in person so the product you get is fresh.
Storage and Food Safety
- According to the USDA, beef liver should be consumed within one to two days of purchase. Store the organ meat in the refrigerator after bringing it home from the butcher. If you aren't going to consume it within a few days, freeze it. Store in airtight plastic wrap. When properly frozen, it should remain fresh for 3–4 months.9
How to Prepare
- Many people struggle with the taste of beef liver. The organ meat is often described as having an intense, iron taste. It is also often described as bitter, but some cooks soak beef liver in milk to get the bitterness out of the meat. Beef liver can be ground and either used alone or blended with other meats. You can make common ground beef foods, like hamburgers with the mixture. One …