Beef head, also known as cabeza de res in Spanish, refers to the meat from a cow’s head. This nutrient-dense cut includes the tongue, cheeks, brain and other delicious parts that are popular in many cuisines. But with beef head not readily available at your average grocery store, many home cooks wonder – where can I buy beef head to try cooking this unique ingredient?
In this guide we’ll cover where to source beef head how to prepare and cook it, and some tantalizing beef head recipe ideas to explore.
Buying Beef Head at Specialty Butcher Shops
One of the best places to find whole beef head is at specialty butcher shops or meat markets These types of stores often work directly with local farms or process whole animals, so they have access to less common cuts like beef head
Some butcher shops to check foravailability
- Local family-owned butcher shops
- Hispanic carnicerias or markets
- Asian supermarkets with butcher counters
- Whole animal butchers or processors
- Specialty online meat purveyors
Call or visit the butcher counter to ask if they carry whole beef head. Many will stock it regularly or can source it specially through their suppliers.
Expect to pay $2-4 per pound for a whole, untrimmed beef head. You’ll get the best value buying the entire head rather than pre-cut portions.
Purchasing Beef Head at Mexican Meat Markets
One of the most reliable places to buy beef head is at authentic Mexican meat markets, known as carnicerías. These specialty stores stock all the cuts used in traditional Mexican cooking, like lengua (tongue), cabeza (head), sesos (brain) and cachete (cheeks).
Large Hispanic supermarkets like Northgate González Market and Cardenas often have excellent in-house carnicerias. You can also check smaller local Mexican markets in your area.
Ask for “cabeza de res” to get an entire beef head. Or request just the specific parts you want like “cachete” for cheeks or “lengua” for tongue. Expect affordable pricing around $1.99/lb.
Ordering Beef Head Online
For the ultimate convenience, consider ordering beef head online from specialty meat purveyors. This allows you to get hard-to-find cuts like beef head shipped directly to your door.
Some online retailers to check out:
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Dartagnan – Offers whole or half grass-fed beef heads.
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Porter Road – Sources ethically raised beef heads from Kentucky cattle farmers.
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Crowd Cow – Works with independent ranches to deliver beef tongue, cheeks, head and more.
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Holy Grail Steak Co. – Sells wagyu beef heads shipped overnight.
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Fossil Farms – Specializes in exotic meats including beef head.
Ordering online tends to be pricier, costing $5-15 per pound. But it opens up exciting options like wagyu beef head.
Buying Fresh vs. Frozen
Beef head can be purchased fresh or frozen. Fresh will have the gentlest flavor and texture. But frozen is more convenient and extends the shelf life for up to 6 months.
If buying fresh, plan to cook within 2-3 days. Otherwise, freezing is best to prevent spoilage. Portion into usable amounts before freezing for easy defrosting later.
No matter where you source it, look for beef head that is crimson red with white fat and no dark spots. Avoid any with an off smell or sliminess.
Preparing Beef Head Before Cooking
Once you’ve procured some delicious beef head, now comes time to prepare it for cooking. Here are a few tips:
- Rinse well under cold water and pat dry.
- Inspect for any remaining hairs and singe off with a lighter or gas burner.
- Use a sharp knife to remove the skin and excess fat.
- Cut or break down into smaller portions if needed.
- Soak in cold water for 1 hour to draw out impurities (optional).
Pro Tip: Ask your butcher to clean and break down the head for you. This makes it much easier to cook!
How to Cook Tasty Beef Head
Now onto the fun part – cooking! Beef head can be prepared many different ways. Some top cooking methods include:
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Simmering/Braising: Gently cook in liquid for 2-3 hours until tender. Works great for cheeks, tongue, brain and bone-in portions.
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Grilling/Broiling: Quickly sear over high heat to medium rare doneness. Best for thinner cuts like peeled tongue.
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Roasting: Oven-roast seasoned portions to intensify flavor. Ideal for bone-in cheeks or tongue.
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Sautéing: Cook briefly in a hot pan for tacos, hash orragu. Good for chopped cheeks, tongue or IQF portions.
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Stewing: Incorporate into stews, chilis or pot roasts for ultra-tender meat.
Cook beef head beyond well done to 165°F for food safety. The rich, succulent meat takes well to bold globalseasonings.
Incredible Beef Head Recipe Ideas
Looking for culinary inspiration? Here are just a few amazing ways to enjoy cooking beef head:
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Lengua Tacos – Slow braise, then chop tongue for tacos with salsa and cilantro.
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Vietnamese Pho – Simmer tongue or cheeks in aromatic pho broth with noodles.
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Cabeza Guisada – Mexican beef head stew with chiles and warm spices.
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Grilled Sweetbreads – Quickly sear honeycomb tripe or brain over hot coals.
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Beef Bone Broth – Simmer a split beef head for 12-24 hours to make fortifying broth.
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Polpette – Mix ground beef head into Italian meatballs baked in marinara sauce.
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Sopa de Caracol – Use beef cheeks in this hearty Colombian soup with rice, pumpkin and herbs.
With its rich, meaty flavor and velvety texture, beef head can greatly elevate soups, stews, tacos, broths and more. It just requires finding it and preparing it properly before cooking.
FAQs About Purchasing and Cooking Beef Head
Here are answers to some common questions about buying and cooking this unique cut of meat:
Is beef head meat safe to eat?
Yes, beef head is safe and nutritious to eat when fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. Ensure it looks and smells fresh before cooking thoroughly.
What are some other names for beef head?
Other common names include oxtail, beef cabeza, tête de veau (French), and Kopf (German). In Spanish, the cuts are called cachete (cheeks), lengua (tongue) or cabeza (head).
What does beef head taste like?
Beef head has a rich, meaty flavor with a tender, gelatinous texture when slowly cooked. The cheeks are the most tender while the tongue is dense.
How long does it take to cook beef head?
Cooking times vary from 1-3 hours depending on the cut and cooking method. Tongue takes the longest while cheek meat and IQF portions cook most quickly.
What’s the best way to cook beef head?
Low, slow braising and simmering helps break down the collagen for fork-tender beef head. But grilling, sautéing and roasting also work beautifully.
How do I use a whole beef head?
First ask your butcher to clean and break it down into manageable cuts like cheeks, tongue, brain and tripe. Braise the meaty portions. Use bones for stock.
Savor the Flavor of Snout to Tail
Beef head is an underappreciated gem that offers unique texture and lip-smacking, meaty flavor to any dish. With so many tasty options for preparing it, this cut is worth seeking out from specialty butchers, Latin markets or online suppliers. Once you track down some quality beef head, apply slow cooking techniques to transform it into the star of soups, stews, tacos and more. This snout to tail cut definitely deserves a spot in any adventuresome cook’s repertoire!