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How to Cook Livermush

If you haven’t tried this classic North Carolina dish, now is the time! Livermush is such a flavorful dish and it’s so quick to cook and it’s great for hearty breakfasts and weekend brunches. I promise you it will be your new favorite!

Breaking a slice of livermush in half.


 

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Ok, I know the name sounds a bit weird, but trust me, Livermush is delicious!

My hubby grew up eating this and now we have it on the regular in our house. It’s a North Carolina favorite that is super flavorful and it’s so quick and easy to cook!

For more Southern favorites, be sure to check out my Southern Chess Pie and Peach Cobbler Cake.

How to cook livermush

So quick and easy to cook, and you can prepare it on the stovetop or in the air fryer.

  • Cut Livermush into slices, about ¼ inch thick.
Slicing a block of livermush.

Stovetop

  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Place the slices in a skillet in a single layer.
Slices of livermush in a skillet.
  • Brown the Livermush, about 4-5 minutes on each side, until the outside is crispy.
Cooked livermush slices in a skillet.

Air Fryer

  • Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the slices in an air fryer basket and cook for 12-15 minute, until the outside is crispy.
Livemush slices in an air fryer basket.

What is it made of?

Livermush is made with pork liver and cornmeal and is known as ‘poor man’s paté’ in some circles. It is bound together with cornmeal and seasoned with sage and black pepper. You buy it as a chilled block which you then slice and fry.

Livermush is not the same as liver pudding or scrapple. While they may sound or even look the same, livermush is made with a little more cornmeal. The other two are looser in texture. You can read more about the history of livermush.

You can opt to make your own livermush or buy it in the store if you see it in NC.

What does it taste like?

If you like sausage patties, you will love this! It has a softer and smoother texture and the sage and black pepper give it a slightly spicy, earthy and herbal flavor.

How do you serve it?

Typically eaten as a breakfast or lunch food. It’s great to serve in place of a sausage patty in a breakfast sandwich and we also like to serve it with grits.

Can you eat it raw?

Livermush is already cooked when you buy it, so it is safe to eat raw…but don’t do that. It’s much better if you fry it so you get those crispy edges and the flavors are much more pronounced.

Slices of cooked livermush being served on a white plate.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Livermush is fully cooked and just needs to be crisped up. You can use either the stovetop or air fryer to cook it.
  • I tend to only add oil if I am frying on the stovetop. I do not use oil if I am using the air fryer. You can lightly spray the slices in the air fryer if you like.
  • Take care not to overcook the slices. When overcooked they can become dry.

More Breakfast Recipes

Overhead shot of cooked livermush served on a white plate.
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4.80 from 5 votes

How to Cook Livermush

If you haven't tried this classic Carolina dish, now is the time! Livermush is such a flavorful dish and it's so quick to cook and it's great for hearty breakfasts and weekend brunches.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword easy livermush recipe, how to cook livermush, what is livermush
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 180kcal
Author Tanya

Ingredients

  • 16 oz pack of Livermush
  • 2 teaspoon oil optional

Instructions

  • Cut Livermush into slices, about ¼ inch thick.

Stovetop

  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Place the Livermush in a skillet in a single layer and brown the Livermush, about 4-5 minutes on each side, until the outside is crispy.

Air Fryer

  • Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit. Place Livermush slices in an air fryer basket and cook for 12-15 minute, until the outside is crispy.

Notes

  • Livermush is fully cooked and just needs to be crisped up. You can use either the stovetop or air fryer to cook it.
  • I tend to only add oil if I am frying the Livermush on the stovetop. I do not use oil if I am using the air fryer. You can lightly spray the Livermush in the air fryer if you like.

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 10g
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4.80 from 5 votes (2 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating




Mike

Friday 8th of April 2022

Yes, I would like to try Livermush. How do I contact the manufacturer and have them ship a brick to LA, California.

Dreama

Saturday 21st of May 2022

@Mike, Aldi's stores sell it

Gloria

Sunday 10th of January 2021

Oh wow! I have never heard of livermush but I'm looking forward to trying it. I bought the ingredients today and will make it on Monday. Thanks so much.

Tanya

Sunday 10th of January 2021

Thanks Gloria! I hope you enjoy :)

Carlene

Wednesday 30th of December 2020

I wish you would list the sodium content in your recipes. I am sure I am not the only who has to watch their salt intake.

Tanya

Wednesday 30th of December 2020

Hi Carlene, thanks for the feedback. The majority of the recipes on the site have the sodium content included. This one doesn't because the sodium content would depend on the brand of Livermush used. I'd make sure to check the nutrition label on the package before purchasing.

Elizabeth Carrigan

Tuesday 8th of December 2020

Tanya, love your recipes. Livermush is a staple in our house also.

Rhonda Kershaw

Tuesday 8th of December 2020

This sounds and looks like what we call 'scrapple' in Maryland, Virginia, & Pennsylvania. As a kid my sister (knowing I was a squeamish eater) showed me the ingredients in scrapple (ok, very unappetizing). But, I love scrapple. I'd bet "livermush" is much the same.

Gwendolyn Blackman

Wednesday 25th of January 2023

@Rhonda Kershaw, That's my thought, as well.