Dried liver chips are a nutritious snack with a unique and satisfying crunch. Just like regular chips, they’re perfect for dipping into warm cheese dip or guacamole. You can even make a cracker-like sandwich with a piece of cheese in the middle. The options for enjoying these liver crisps are endless.
These crisps are ideal for those looking to incorporate more organ meats or follow a carnivore diet.
Why Grass-fed Beef Liver?
The question should be, “Why not?!” If you haven’t tried organ meats yet, now is the time to pay attention!
Organ meats offer numerous nutritional and environmental benefits, and they are surprisingly delicious. The key is finding ways to cook organ meat recipes that you actually enjoy. This liver chip recipe is incredibly simple, so you’re in the right place.
Organ meats, especially liver, are truly exceptional. Liver is packed with remarkable health benefits and is often the first choice for those starting to eat nose to tail. These liver chips make it easy to incorporate liver into your diet. With their familiar texture and shape, they’re a breeze to enjoy.
While I usually recommend beginners start with liver pate, these chips are foolproof! And when dipped in a keto cheese sauce, they are absolutely irresistible!
Beef Liver Nutrition
Forget about imported sacha inchi nuts or pink Himalayan salt. Liver is a true superfood and you can find it at your local butcher.
According to an excellent article by The Weston A Price Foundation, liver contains:
- An excellent source of high-quality protein
- Nature’s most concentrated source of vitamin A
- Abundant B vitamins, especially vitamin B12
- Folic acid, one of the best sources
- Highly usable iron
- Trace elements like copper, zinc, and chromium (liver is the best source of copper)
- An unidentified anti-fatigue factor
- CoQ10, which is vital for cardiovascular function
- Purines, compounds that serve as DNA and RNA precursors
Carnivore Chips
Whether you call them chips or crisps, you know what I mean!
I love adding beef liver to my homemade pemmican recipe. It blends in perfectly, and you wouldn’t even know it’s there unless I told you. Pemmican has a fascinating history, with wars fought over its supply lines. If you’re new to pemmican, I highly recommend learning more from my Pemmican Guide.
One day, as I was drying liver to make a new batch of pemmican, I took a little nibble of the dry liver and was blown away! These liver crisps are the perfect healthy chip replacement.
This single-ingredient carnivore chip recipe can be made in large batches whenever you want. The drying process takes a few hours, but it’s definitely worth it. You’ll end up with gluten-free, grain-free chips that are actually good for you.
If you’ve had trouble incorporating liver into your diet, this is a great option. Dried liver has a milder flavor compared to fresh liver, and if you’re worried about the taste, you can try making the chips with grass-fed calves liver instead. Organs from younger animals tend to have a smoother, less pronounced flavor.
How to Make Beef Liver Chips
Some people might call this liver jerky, but I prefer to dehydrate liver until it’s completely dry and crunchy.
Before you start, decide on one of the two methods for making this liver chip recipe:
- Buy whole liver and thinly slice it into even pieces.
- Spread ground liver in a thin layer and break it apart into smaller pieces with your hands.
For most people, sourcing a pound or two of whole liver is the easier option. Thinly slice the liver into individual pieces.
You can dry the liver in a food dehydrator or oven. It’s that simple.
Ground liver produces an interesting result. It tends to be flakier and has a different mouthfeel. If you prefer ground liver, ask your butcher to grind it for you. Alternatively, you can cube the liver, remove any thick connective tissues, and blend it in a food processor until smooth.
Spread the liver mixture on a food dehydrator sheet or ovenproof baking sheet in a thin, single layer. It may surprise you how sticky the texture is.
Food Dehydrator vs. Oven
You can choose between using a food dehydrator or an oven to dry the liver chips.
- Food dehydrator method: Set the dehydrator to the meat setting. Flip the chips once the top is dry and firm to the touch. This process takes up to 4 hours per side.
- Oven method: Set the oven to the lowest temperature possible. Check the chips after an hour and flip them once the center is completely dry. Continue for another hour or so.
Feel free to season the chips with your favorite herbs and spices. However, I recommend trying them plain at least for your first batch, as the natural flavor of grass-fed liver is excellent on its own.
Dried liver has a tangy funk, similar to parmesan cheese. They pair wonderfully with flavorful low-carb dips or soft cheese spreads.
Beef Liver Chips for Dogs
These beef liver chips can also be enjoyed by your four-legged friends. Liver is a healthy food for dogs, just like it is for humans.
Whether you’re making dehydrated liver for humans or dogs, the process is the same.
It’s amusing to realize that our dog eats the same food as us, or do we eat dog food?
One of the benefits of animal-based nutrition is that meal prep is easy for both humans and animals in your home. Cats and dogs will enjoy the scraps leftover from your table, such as bones and collagen-rich bits. After making bone broth or rendering beef tallow, give them the leftover trimmings. If you have meat that stays in the fridge a little too long, they’ll happily enjoy that too.
For more delicious zero-fiber recipes, check out The Carnivore Cookbook, which features over 100 recipes made from just the essentials: animal protein and fats.
Where to Buy Beef Liver
Eat Wild is an excellent directory of farms and ranches in the US and Canada. Simply select your area to find listings with descriptions, offerings, and contact information.
To learn more about buying liver, read through my Shopper’s Guide to Buying Liver.
If you prefer to buy beef liver online and have it delivered to your door, here are my top recommendations:
- White Oak Pastures: They offer liver from a variety of animals, including beef, goat, and lamb. Will Harris from White Oak Pastures transitioned from conventional feedlot beef production to producing grass-fed beef using regenerative grazing methods to improve soil quality. Learn about his journey and why these choices lead to better quality meat on our podcast together.
- US Wellness Meats: They deliver grass-fed beef, lamb, and bison liver to the US and Canada.
Originally published on August 18, 2019. This post was updated on November 18, 2020, with new images and information.
More Keto Carnivore Liver Recipes:
- Classic Beef Liver Pate: Dazzle your dinner guests with this Classic Beef Liver Pate appetizer. It’s easy to make and super nutritious!
- How to Cook Beef Liver without Flour: These Crustless Mini Meat Pies, with their hidden liver, are the perfect nutrient-dense addition to breakfast or lunch. Pack them in a lunchbox or keep them in the fridge; they pair well with everything. It’s a great way to incorporate liver without any unusual taste, texture, or appearance.
- Hidden Organ Meat Pie: Organ meats are affordable and incredibly nutritious. This nourishing meat pie, made with ground beef, liver, and heart, is simple and satisfying.
- Cabbage Noodles with Hidden Liver: Enjoy this Asian-inspired skillet meal featuring pan-fried cabbage noodles and ground beef. Add some “hidden liver” for extra nutrient density, and no one will even know it’s there!