Looking to add raw liver to your diet?
One simple way to add raw liver to your diet is to make capsules using desiccated liver. You can also add thawed liver into meatballs, sausage, and meatloaf. (I am sure to freeze the liver ahead of time to avoid any potential parasite issues.)
But doesn’t the liver store toxins? This is the number one concern people have about eating liver. While the liver is the center for the neutralization of toxins, it doesn’t store them. Drugs, pesticides, and other toxins that are not eliminated are stored in the fatty tissues and nervous system.
Instead, the liver stores critical nutrients such as vitamins A, D, E, K, B12, and folic acid.
How to eat raw liver
- Buy liver from a trusted source, making sure it has no added hormones, is free from drugs, and is truly grass-fed.
- Thaw in refrigerator overnight.
- Process in food processor.
- Pour into ice cube tray and refreeze.
- Cut into “pills” and enjoy!
Maribeth says
Wow, Andrea – very interesting!
I would like to do this too.
Anonymous says
Andrea,
LOVED this post. Liver is one of my favorites – (Cooked, that is!)
I have a question in regard to selecting raw liver. I get whole chickens (with the livers) from a local farmer who raises them organic and grass-fed. Would these be good for using as raw “ice liver pills?” About how large of a “pill” do you recommend taking each day?
Also, thanks for the article you linked on the anti-fatigue nature of liver.
– ma
Andrea Fabry says
Beef liver is higher in Vit A than chicken liver but chicken liver has more iron! Here is a good chart that compares chicken, beef, and other livers:
http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/livernutrients.php
Organ meat in general is great…and it sounds like your chicken has been pasteured without hormones/drugs.
Julie says
Okay, after watching your video I have several comments/questions:
1. Where did you get that ice cube tray? That makes the process so easy! I can’t imagine trying to pour liver into a normal ice cube tray.
2. How did you prepare the organ meat for your kids?
3. I’m still having trouble imagining how you eat one of your liver pills. As it thaws do you just break off small pieces and swallow them? Or do you chew them?
4. Just an FYI: You said to buy grass fed beef, but our meat guy says to look for grass finished beef since grass fed beef can be fed corn at the end of its life to fatten it up before slaughter.
Andrea Fabry says
I got the ice cube tray from Radiant Life:
http://www.radiantlifecatalog.com/category/s?keyword=ice+cube+tray
I take the cubes of liver and thaw them and mix them in with ground beef. I also use the dessicated liver from Radiant Life and put into capsules for my kids.
At first I cut off the “chips” and swallowed them…sooo easy. Now I let it thaw more and take a big spoonful but don’t chew…also simple…but much faster. Good reminder on the grass finished..thanks…
These are great questions..let me know if you have any more.
Lyn says
We’ve been buying organic liver the past few days and the kids LOVE it (they are little too) We aren’t eating it raw yet but hope to soon! Thanks so much for all the info you’re sharing!
Lora says
What is the nutritional difference in raw and cooked? Are the nutrients changes or depleted when cooked?
Thanks so much. The videos are very helpful.
Andrea Fabry says
As I understand the nutrients change when cooked. The raw ensures the full dose of B6, B12,enzymes, etc. (although some research shows that cooking can enhance some of the nutrients. Either way is a good step.
Megan says
Made my first batch today! I’m excited to start this habit. It has been hard to incorporate liver into our dinnertime except for grinding into meatballs and meatloaf. One member of my family isn’t as “adventuresome” as I am :), so I feel bad sometimes putting organ meats into the dinner rotation. I’ve read about eating raw liver on the Weston A. Price site and Facebook groups but have never done it yet – this gave me a concrete way to start. Thanks!! I’m also looking forward to doing it with our son! He loves liver but I’ve never given it to him raw. Dr. Natasha McBride says in the GAPS book to do 1-2 tablespoons of liver every other day with children, and he maybe only gets liver once or twice a week. I’m sure this will really boost his health, too! Blessings!!
Andrea Fabry says
So great to hear from you, Megan!! I’m glad this helped. I took a break recently and your comment makes me want to jump back in with the raw liver. It is so easy to incorporate this way.