Absolute Best Liver and Onions Recipe
How to Cook Liver and Onions
Learn how to make a delicious, diner-worthy liver and onions dish at home with this simple recipe. Follow the detailed step-by-step instructions below for perfectly cooked liver and caramelized onions every time.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sliced beef liver
- 1 cups milk (or as needed)
- cup butter, divided
- 2 large Vidalia onions, sliced into rings
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or as needed)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Gently rinse the liver slices under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Place the liver in a shallow dish and pour enough milk over it to cover. Let the liver soak while you prepare the onions, or for a longer time if you prefer. This will help to remove any bitterness from the liver.
Step 2: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the onion rings and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 to 5 minutes, or until the onions become tender and soft. Transfer the cooked onions to a bowl and set them aside.
Step 3: On a plate, combine flour, salt, and pepper. Drain the milk from the liver slices and coat each slice with the flour mixture, ensuring both sides are evenly coated.
Step 4: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Increase the heat to medium-high, and fry the coated liver slices for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until they are lightly browned.
Step 5: Return the cooked onions to the skillet with the liver. Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, or until the onions are heated through and the liver is cooked to your desired level of doneness. For a slightly pink center, cook for less time.
Step 6: Serve the liver and onions hot, and enjoy your comforting homemade meal!
What to Serve With Liver and Onions
For a complete dinner, pair this liver and onions dish with mashed potatoes. You could also serve it with roasted vegetables such as broccoli or asparagus, or a fresh side salad for extra crunch and flavor.
How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftover liver and onions in an airtight in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
Community Tips and Praise
10/10, best liver and onions I've ever eaten, says one satisfied cook. I soaked my liver for about 6 hours in milk and sauted my onions before cooking the liver, but otherwise followed the directions exactly. It turned out amazing!
Another reviewer raves, Simple and quick to make. I added red peppers to the onions and made a great gravy with the leftover flour. Will definitely make again!
This recipe is great! says another. I served it on a bed of rice, and the soak in milk made the liver perfect. Ill be making this again!
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| Nutrition | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 687 |
| Fat | 21g |
| Saturated Fat | 11g |
| Cholesterol | 578mg |
| Sodium | 309mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 74g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4g |
| Total Sugars | 11g |
| Protein | 49g |
| Vitamin C | 13mg |
| Calcium | 165mg |
| Iron | 12mg |
| Potassium | 939mg |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Comments
Michael Phillips
10/09/2025 04:12:01 AM
I thoroughly enjoyed this recipe! I decided to enhance the dish by sautéing some garlic in the pan before frying the onions, and it added a delightful flavor to it.
Lisa Lopez
10/08/2025 10:59:15 AM
Rewriting the review: Using white vinegar to rinse the liver eliminated that metallic blood taste. I had never tried soaking my liver in milk until I came across this recipe - I usually used vinegar alone. However, I decided to try both methods, and the result was incredible. After rinsing the liver with white vinegar and soaking it in milk for 20 minutes, I followed the rest of the instructions and the liver turned out absolutely amazing. It truly took the dish to a whole new level. Thank you so much, Deana!
Sharon Nguyen
10/08/2025 12:25:01 AM
I recently tried this recipe using elk liver and it turned out to be the most delicious liver dish I've ever made. Thank you!
Nathan Thompson
10/07/2025 07:35:19 PM
Updated review: I have never been a fan of liver, and that still holds true after trying it again. Despite experimenting with different organ meats like beef tongue and stomach, the taste of liver to me is like biting into a metallic shoe. Perhaps if it was incorporated into a soup or tacos, I might be able to tolerate it better. In this dish, however, the liver flavor was too overpowering for my liking. I had hoped that my taste preferences had evolved since childhood, when I last had beef liver, but it seems that my aversion remains unchanged.
Pamela Nguyen
10/06/2025 07:45:31 AM
I cook everything with a touch of bacon grease along with butter.