Why soak liver in milk?

 In this guide, we will address and answer the query, “Why to soak liver in milk?” and answer other similar related questions like “Is it necessary to soak liver in milk?” and “How long should you soak liver in milk?”

Why soak liver in milk?

Soaking liver in milk enhances the overall flavors by removing the bitter flavors from the liver. The liver is made of minerals that contribute to its bitter taste. People soak their liver in milk to mask this unpleasant taste as well as make the meat softer.

One theory is that the lactose in milk helps to break down the tough connective tissues in the liver, making it more tender and easier to eat. Soaking the liver in milk is also thought to help preserve the liver’s nutrients, as well as make it easier to digest.

Is it necessary to soak the liver in milk?

It is not necessary to soak the liver in milk. People do this out of preference. For some, the bitter liver taste is tolerable and can use spices to mask it but for some, the bitter taste is too much, and therefore soak it in milk.

Soaking does not impact the nutritional value or chemical makeup of the liver. The liver is nutritious on its own and you can have it without soaking it in milk.

How long should you soak the liver in milk?

You can soak the liver in milk for two hours before preparing it. You can even soak overnight if the bitter taste affects you and you really want to have a liver the next day.

Soaking for many hours makes the meat more tender and gives the meat a soft taste. 

How do you prepare liver?

The first thing you do is unwrap the liver and rest it on paper towels. You can slice it into pieces or soak it whole.

Next, take a bowl and milk halfway then soak it in for 40minutes. 

The next step is to add salt to your liver and let it rest at room temperature while you work on other ingredients.

After soaking for 40 minutes, You can then melt butter on a pan and add your sliced liver. Let it cook until the edges turn color from red to a gray color then flip to the other side.

Fry the second side until it cooks and turns gray as well. Continue turning sides until the meat is tender. Your liver will be ready to serve with stew.

Is the liver healthy?

Liver is an excellent source of protein and provides all the essential amino acids required by the body. It is also a good source of vitamins A, B12, C, D, E, and K, and minerals such as iron, copper, and selenium. 

The liver is a nutrient-dense food and is very low in calories, making it an excellent choice for people trying to lose weight. The liver is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for the heart and brain.

However, it is said to have vitamin A toxicity. This happens when you take too much liver regularly leading to a condition known as hypervitaminosis A. People with vitamin A deficiency are advised to consume liver regularly.

For more detailed information on hypervitaminosis. Click here

Does soaking liver in milk help remove impurities?


A liver plays a role in removing toxins from an animal’s body, Therefore when an animal is slaughtered, it could still contain these impurities and toxins.

These impurities are definitely not in huge amounts but soaking helps remove them. Soaking the liver in milk also helps drain off the blood.

Does milk play a role in tenderizing the liver?

Meat is tenderized by dipping it in liquids or fruit juices or rubbing it with salt and spices. Milk can also be used to tenderize the liver. Milk contains Calcium which balances the acidity and alkalinity of the meat. 

Milk also contains lactic acid that softens the muscle fibers of the meat. Your liver, therefore, ends up being softer and chewable.

Soaking your liver in milk also helps the meat become succulent. Succulent meat cannot easily burn when being cooked.

For more detail on other ways of tenderizing meat. Click here

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we have addressed the query, “Why soak liver in milk?”  We have also discussed how soaking liver in milk tenderizes it, how long you should soak your liver and how to prepare liver.

Hope you found this blog useful, if you have any questions, please let us know

Citations

https://therustyspoon.com/why-do-you-soak-liver-in-milk-before-cooking/
https://milkwoodrestaurant.com/why-do-you-soak-liver-in-milk-before-cooking/

https://food52.com/hotline/17663-does-soaking-liver-in-milk-prior-to-cooking-really-help-with-the-flavor

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!