Grass-Fed Irish Dexter Beef Heart
Don't overlook the heart of great beef! Our Irish Dexter Beef Heart is a traditional, nutrient-dense cut from our heritage Irish Dexter cattle, raised right here at Fluffy Butt Farms and 100% grass-fed and grass-finished. Unlike liver, beef heart is a hardworking muscle with a rich, robust beef flavor and satisfying meaty texture. Naturally providing protein, iron, and vitamin B12, it's a wonderful addition to traditional nose-to-tail cooking. Slice thin for marinated grilled skewers, slow-braise until tender, or dice for hearty stews. Old-world nutrition. Honest beef flavor. A cut worth rediscovering!
Have a Heart for Old-Fashioned, Honest Food
Some of the most interesting cuts of beef aren't found in the steak case.
They're the cuts our grandparents and great-grandparents knew how to turn into satisfying, nourishing meals—the ones that made use of more of the animal and wasted less.
Our Irish Dexter Beef Heart is one of those traditional treasures.
Raised right here at Fluffy Butt Farms, our heritage Irish Dexter cattle are 100% grass-fed and grass-finished. Their beef heart offers rich flavor, a firm, meaty texture, and a delicious opportunity to explore traditional nose-to-tail cooking.
And if you've never tried beef heart before, you might be pleasantly surprised.
What Does Beef Heart Taste Like?
Despite being classified as an organ meat, beef heart is actually a muscle—and it tastes much more like beef than liver.
It has a robust, savory flavor and a dense, satisfying texture. When trimmed and prepared correctly, it can be delicious grilled, pan-seared, or slowly braised.
For a tender result, the cooking method matters. Thinly sliced heart works well with quick, hot cooking, while larger pieces benefit from a long, gentle braise.
Why You'll Love Our Irish Dexter Beef Heart
- Raised at Fluffy Butt Farms: From our own heritage Irish Dexter cattle.
- 100% Grass-Fed & Grass-Finished: Raised on a forage-based diet without grain finishing.
- Rich Beef Flavor: A robust, savory taste that's different from the distinctive flavor of liver.
- Naturally Nutrient-Dense: Beef heart provides protein, iron, vitamin B12, and other essential nutrients.
- Traditional Nose-to-Tail Eating: A wonderful way to enjoy more of the animal.
- Versatile in the Kitchen: Delicious grilled, marinated, braised, or added to hearty stews.
- A Cut Worth Discovering: Perfect for adventurous cooks and anyone exploring traditional food preparation.
Five Delicious Ways to Enjoy Irish Dexter Beef Heart
1. Peruvian-Inspired Grilled Beef Heart Skewers
Trim the heart and slice into bite-sized pieces. Marinate with garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, vinegar, olive oil, and chili pepper. Thread onto skewers and grill over high heat until nicely browned and safely cooked. Serve with roasted potatoes and a bright herb sauce. Inspired by traditional Peruvian anticuchos!
2. Slow-Braised Beef Heart with Onions
Cut the trimmed heart into large pieces and brown in a Dutch oven. Add sliced onions, garlic, beef broth, thyme, and bay leaves. Cover and braise gently until tender. Slice and serve with mashed potatoes and the rich cooking juices.
3. Garlic Butter Beef Heart Bites
Trim away tough connective tissue and cut the heart into small, even pieces. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Sear in a hot cast-iron skillet, cooking to a safe internal temperature, then finish with garlic butter and fresh parsley. Serve with roasted vegetables or potatoes.
4. Old-Fashioned Beef Heart Stew
Dice beef heart into bite-sized pieces and simmer slowly with carrots, potatoes, celery, onions, beef broth, and herbs. Cook until the heart becomes tender and the vegetables are soft. Serve with warm sourdough bread for a hearty farmhouse meal.
5. Marinated Beef Heart Fajitas
Trim and slice beef heart thinly against the grain. Marinate with lime juice, garlic, cumin, and a little olive oil. Sear in a hot skillet with sliced peppers and onions until cooked through. Serve in warm tortillas with salsa, cilantro, and avocado.
How to Prepare Beef Heart
Beef heart is a delicious cut, but proper trimming and cooking make a big difference in the final texture.
Step 1: Thaw Safely
If frozen, thaw the heart completely in the refrigerator.
Step 2: Trim the Heart
Using a sharp knife, remove tough exterior fat as desired, along with any visible valves, large vessels, and firm connective tissue. Open the heart into manageable sections if necessary.
Step 3: Choose Your Cooking Method
For grilling or pan-searing, slice the trimmed heart into relatively thin, even pieces. For stews and braises, cut into larger chunks.
Step 4: Season or Marinate
Beef heart pairs beautifully with garlic, black pepper, cumin, paprika, rosemary, thyme, vinegar, and citrus. Marinating can add flavor, especially for grilled preparations.
Step 5: Cook Appropriately
Thin pieces can be cooked over higher heat, while larger pieces generally benefit from slow, moist cooking until tender.
Step 6: Check the Temperature
For beef heart, use a food thermometer and cook to an internal temperature of at least 160°F. If preparing a braised dish, continue cooking until the texture is tender.
Farm kitchen tip: The key to enjoying beef heart is removing tough connective tissue and slicing across the muscle fibers. Proper trimming makes a noticeable difference in tenderness.
A Traditional Cut with Real Nutritional Value
Beef heart has long been valued in traditional diets because it offers both satisfying flavor and naturally occurring nutrients.
As a muscle meat, beef heart provides high-quality protein and nutrients such as iron, zinc, and vitamin B12.
It's also a source of coenzyme Q10, a compound naturally present in animal tissues.
For customers interested in traditional nose-to-tail eating, beef heart is a practical way to explore a wider variety of cuts while enjoying familiar beef flavor.
Honoring More of the Animal
At Fluffy Butt Farms, we believe the story behind your food matters.
Our Irish Dexter cattle are a heritage breed with deep roots in traditional agriculture. We raise them right here on our farm, 100% grass-fed and grass-finished.
We also appreciate the old-fashioned practice of making thoughtful use of more of the animal.
Beef heart is a wonderful example of that philosophy.
Rather than focusing only on familiar steaks and roasts, nose-to-tail cooking celebrates the value of cuts that generations of families relied upon.
It's a way of cooking that encourages creativity, resourcefulness, and appreciation for the food on our tables.
Ready to Try Something Different?
If you've been curious about organ meats but don't know where to begin, beef heart is a wonderful place to start.
Its robust beef flavor makes it approachable, while its versatility opens the door to everything from grilled skewers to comforting slow-cooked stews.
Discover a traditional cut worth bringing back to the table. Add our 100% Grass-Fed & Grass-Finished Irish Dexter Beef Heart to your next Fluffy Butt Farms order.
Real Food Takes Time. Old-World Genetics. Natural Lives. Honest Food.