Kitchen Recipe Collection
Italian Fegato alla Veneziana (Venetian Liver and Onions)
The pride of Venice. Incredibly tender calf's liver sliced thinly and quickly sautéed with a massive amount of sweet, slow-cooked white onions.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- medium
- Cuisine
- italian
Ingredients
Scaled for 4 servings
- calf's liver (fegato di vitello, sliced very thin)
- white onions (lots, thinly sliced)
- butter
- extra virgin olive oil
- dry white wine or a splash of vinegar
- fresh parsley
- salt and black pepper
Equipment
- Large wide skillet
Instructions
- 1
Prepare Liver
Ensure the butcher has removed the outer membrane and any tubes from the liver. Slice it thinly into strips. Pat dry.
- 2
Slow Cook Onions
Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet. Add the mountain of sliced white onions. Cook over very low heat for 20-30 minutes until they are incredibly soft, sweet, and pale golden. Do not brown them aggressively.
- 3
Deglaze Onions
Stir in a splash of white wine or vinegar to the onions, letting it evaporate. Remove the onions to a plate.
- 4
High Heat
Turn the heat under the skillet to high. Add a little more butter/oil if necessary.
- 5
Flash Fry Liver
Add the liver strips. Cook them incredibly fast—only 1 to 2 minutes per side. They should be browned on the outside but still pink inside. Overcooked liver is dry and grainy.
- 6
Combine
Immediately return the sweet onions to the pan, tossing them with the liver for 30 seconds to combine flavors.
- 7
Season
Season with salt, black pepper, and chopped parsley right at the end.
- 8
Serve
Serve immediately. It is traditionally served alongside a soft, creamy white polenta to soak up the sweet and savory juices.
Cooking Tips
- The sweetness of the slow-cooked white onions perfectly balances the strong, metallic iron flavor of the liver.
- Calf's liver (vitello) is mandatory; beef or pork liver is too strong and tough for this delicate preparation.
Variations
- With Sage: Some traditional Venetian recipes add fresh sage leaves during the onion cooking process.
Chef's Notes & Storage
- A dish that converts people who claim they hate liver, due to the transformative power of the sweet onions.
Nutrition Estimate
350 calories · 35g protein · 12g carbs · 16g fat · 2g fiber per serving
