This Baked or grilled Greek Lemony Calf Liver, is a super easy to make, healthy and delicious. Marinating the organ reduces its intense flavour and makes it very tender.
Liver is possibly one of the most nutrient-dense superfoods on the planet. It is packed with protein and provides more than the recommended dietary intake for vitamin B12, vitamin A, riboflavin and copper. It is also rich in the essential nutrients folate, iron and choline.
A 100 grams portion of uncooked liver contains around 167 calories and 24 grams of proteins and 5 grams of fat
It takes only 5 minutes to prepare and 40 – 45 minutes to cook.
However, as the liver is twice marinated, you will need about one and a half hours waiting time, before cooking it.
Why marinate the calf liver?
Milk Marinade
Liver has an intense flavour, which many people do not like. Beef liver has a stronger taste than calf liver.
However, in both cases you can eliminate this intense flavour by marinating it in fresh milk. It also helps tenderize the organ, which results into a very soft meat, which melts in your mouth. One hour is enough to do the work but if you do not have the time to wait, you can marinate it overnight, which only makes it better.
What do I do with the leftover milk?
You know me by now. I don’t like wasting food.
Well, if you have a cat or dog, you can feed your pet with it (my dog loves it and I give him a little to drink). Otherwise unfortunately you have to discard it. Most cats and dogs can drink cow’s milk or goat’s milk, in small portions. However, some of them may be allergic or lactose intolerant, so if you know your pet is not allergic or lactose intolerant, you will have to make your own decision on this or consult your Vet.
Second Marinade
The second marinade is optional, but this will give the liver the lemony-garlic flavour, which makes it delicious!
Marinade ingredients
I use extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, wine and garlic. The spices I use are salt, pepper, oregano and smoked paprika, However, the spices are versatile and can be changed according to your taste.
Grilled Calf Liver Souvlaki (Kebabs)
Souvlaki (kebabs or kabobs) is a classic and very popular Greek street food.
A different approach to this recipe is after marinating the meat in milk, you pat dry the liver and season it as you like.
I used the classic Greek seasoning: salt, pepper and oregano. However, you can also make it using the second marinade as well.
You them put them on skewers and grill them.
You can do this in your oven grill, in a cast iron or on the bbq.
Oil the grill rack. Grill the livers, turning once, until just cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes total.
If you liver pieces are thick, the best way to check when it’s done is to use a thermometre. The internal temperature of the liver should not exceed 55°- 60ºC before removing it from the grill.
If you are grilling big pieces, you should let it rest for 5 minutes before cutting it.
Grilled until golden on the outside but still rosy and tender inside, it is truly luscious.
In the picture above you can see the grilled liver, souvlaki and sheftalia, served with tzatziki and tambouli (tabbouleh).
What can I do with leftover Calf Liver?
After making the baked liver, I had some leftovers, as one of my sons was going to come and eat with us on that day. However, due to bad weather he had to stay home.
I stored it in the fridge for a couple of days and the idea of reheating it did not appeal to me.
I was thinking of ways I could use it and one of them was to make a marinara sauce, cut it into small pieces and add it to the sauce last minute and serve it over spaghetti.
The other idea was to puree it and combine it with some minced meat I had in the freezer to make some meatballs.
I used the recipe of my Cypriot meatballs, which have a grated potato in them, with onion, parsley, mint, salt, pepper and cinnamon. The only ingredient which is not included in these meatballs is garlic, which I added.
They turned out quite good!
Baked Greek Lemony Calf Liver
This baked liver recipe is super easy to make and very healthy, as it is packed with protein and provides more than the RDI for vitamin B12, vitamin A, riboflavin and copper. It is also rich in the essential nutrients folate, iron and choline.
Ingredients
- 700 grams of calf liver
First marinade:
- 2 cups milk
Second marinade:
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp mild mustard
- 1/2 cup white dry wine
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tbsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp smoked sweet paprika
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
Instructions
- Ask your butcher to cut the liver into 2 cm (about 0.78 inch) slices.
- Wash the liver and let it drain.
- Put it in a bowl and cover it with fresh milk Cover the dish with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Let it soak for about 1 one or more hours, if you prefer
- When ready to cook, put it in a casserole dish without washing out the milk
- Αdd the mustard, wine, lemon juice, olive oil, the garlic and all the spices Flip it several times to coat all sides with the marinade and let it marinate for about half an hour.
- Cover it with the casserole lid or make an aluminum tent and bake in a preheated oven to 180oC for half an hour.
- Remove the lid or the aluminum tent and turn the liver over Cook uncovered for another 15 minutes.
- Serve with some rice pilaf or mashed potatoes and some of its sauce
Nutrition Information
Yield 7 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 292Total Fat 16gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 569mgSodium 1160mgCarbohydrates 6gFiber 1gSugar 0gProtein 27g
Top 20 of My Protein Recipes
Here are the Top Twenty of my Protein Recipes,
Gkioulpassi
Gkioulpassi is a Greek dish which comes from Asia Minor. It is usually made with lamb but it is also often made with lamb, pork and veal.
How to Make the Perfect Greek Spanakopita with Video
Greek "Spanakopita†(spinach pie), pronounced (spa-nah- KOH -pee-taa), is possibly the most popular Greek pie, made with spinach, aromatic herbs and feta cheese. This article is your guide to make a perfect Greek spanakopita!
Hummus Dip
Hummus or hoummous is a Middle Eastern dip made from mashed chickpeas and blended with tahini, garlic, lemon juice, spices and olive oil.
Greek Chickpea Salad with Quinoa and Tahini Sauce
This Greek chickpea salad is healthy and a filling dish on its own. Â It is packed with protein from the chickpeas and quinoa and full of vitamins from the herbs, vegetables and salad dressing.
Black-eyed peas Salad with Quinoa
Black-eyed peas and quinoa make a hearty pair, embellished with lots of flavorful vegetables and herbs.
Fakes Moutzentra - Cypriot Lentils with Rice
Fakes moutzentra is a lentil recipe we make in Cyprus and is a high protein, balanced healthy food, especially with the combination of rice.
Fakes Soupa (Greek Lentil Soup)
Fakes (pronounced fakhés) is a Greek vegan lentil soup with vegetables.  It is of high nutritional value which makes it perfect for the cold days!
Chicken Souvlaki
These Chicken Souvlakia are so tender and juicy due to the marinade which features the fresh-tasting combination of lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil combined with Greek yoghurt that are so prevalent in Greek cuisine.
Chicken Livers Ladolemono
A Greek recipe with chicken livers and vegetables cooked in a "ladolemono" (olive oil and lemon) sauce.
Baked Greek Lemony Calf Liver
This baked liver recipe is super easy to make and very healthy, as it is packed with protein and provides more than the RDI for vitamin B12, vitamin A, riboflavin and copper. It is also rich in the essential nutrients folate, iron and choline.
Amygdalota with White Chocolate
Amygdalota, take their name from amygdala, which mean almonds in Greek and are no bake Greek cookies from the Greek islands made with blanched almonds and sugar. They are dipped in rose water and then coated with icing (confectioners') sugar.
Banana Muffins with Chocolate Chips
Delicious and easy to make Banana Muffins with Chocolate chips, ready in no time!
Banana Honey-Tahini Almond Bread
Banana Honey-Tahini Almond Bread is a twist to the classic cake, made with ripe bananas and many healthy ingredients such as tahini, honey and almonds.
Walnut Cake with Chocolate and Orange
This walnut cake is one of the most delicious, Greek cakes which is based on the traditional recipe for Karydopita. Â
Gingerbread Cookies with Carob Syrup
These gingerbread cookies are made with carob syrup instead of molasses and perfect to add to your Christmas cookies recipes.
Spiced Carob Cookies with Bitter Chocolate and GingerÂ
These spiced carob cookies were made with bitter chocolate and ginger. They have a chocolatey taste due to the chocolate but also due to the carob syrup.
Almond Cinnamon Thumbprint Cookies
An easy recipe for a variety of delicious Almond and Cinnamon Thumbprint Cookies with a video tutorial to help you make these cookies.
Honey, Peanut butter, Chocolate and Pastelli Cookies - Lakonia Part II
These Honey, Peanut butter, Chocolate and Pastelli Cookies are nistisima (Lenten) made with peanut butter, honey, sunflower oil, dark sugar and flour. After making the dough, I made three different kinds by adding chocolate and two types of pastelli in them.
Pastelli (Honey Sesame Candy with Peanuts)
Pastelli, sometimes written "pasteli, with one l", is one of the healthiest Greek sweets, made with honey and sesame seeds. Â
Kopiaste and Kali Orexi!
