Chicken Liver Pâté With Bourbon and Cranberry Gelée Recipe (2024)

  • Chicken
  • Cranberry
  • Thanksgiving Appetizers
  • Christmas Appetizers

It's silky, smooth, and perfect for a holiday gathering.

By

Daniel Gritzer

Chicken Liver Pâté With Bourbon and Cranberry Gelée Recipe (1)

Daniel Gritzer

Senior Culinary Director

Daniel joined the Serious Eats culinary team in 2014 and writes recipes, equipment reviews, articles on cooking techniques. Prior to that he was a food editor at Food & Wine magazine, and the staff writer for Time Out New York's restaurant and bars section.

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Updated November 30, 2022

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Chicken Liver Pâté With Bourbon and Cranberry Gelée Recipe (2)

Why It Works

  • Removing the livers from the skillet before deglazing with bourbon reduces the chances of overcooking them, which helps guarantee pâté with a silky texture.
  • Passing the pâté through a fine-mesh strainer produces an especially refined texture.

I read somewhere recently that pâté had gone out of style. That bothered me, because, as is often the case with superficial food trends, it makes no sense that an incredibly delicious food with a deep history can be declared a has-been just because there isn't a media frenzy around it right now. In protest, I'm pushing back. Pâté is here, and it's here to stay!

That said, I can understand why most of us don't make it too often at home. The fact is, it's rich, which means it's more practical to buy a small slice than to attempt to eat your way through an entire homemade terrine. But that's also exactly why a homemade pâté is such perfect holiday food—it's indulgent, special-occasion stuff, and with groups of people coming together for large meals, it's unlikely any of it will go to waste.

Chicken Liver Pâté With Bourbon and Cranberry Gelée Recipe (3)

I created this particular pâté last year and brought it as a contribution to my family's Thanksgiving meal. Instead of using the more traditional liquors like cognac or Madeira, I reached for bourbon and a bit of apple cider instead, to play up the American spirit of the holiday. And on top, in place of a classic aspic, I made a gelée from cranberry juice, which goes so well with all those other flavors. It was such a hit that it's been requested again this year, so I decided to perfect the recipe and share it here as well.

The method itself is very classic. I start by searing the livers over high heat until just browned on the outside but still pink in the middle. It's critically important that you don't overcook the livers, since well-done ones will produce a very grainy pâté. Some recipes have you deglaze the pan with liquor while the livers are still in it, but I find that this comes with too high of a risk of overcooking them. Instead, I take the livers out as soon as they're done, then quickly sauté minced shallots and some thyme, and finish by deglazing with the bourbon and cider—all with no worry of the livers spending too much time in the pan.

Chicken Liver Pâté With Bourbon and Cranberry Gelée Recipe (4)

Once that's all set, I transfer everything to a food processor with some butter and turn it into a smooth purée. The last step—pushing the pâté through a fine-mesh strainer—is admittedly a little tedious, but I swear it's worth it for the extra silky texture you'll get.

Once the pâté is ready, I transfer it to a large ramekin or terrine and smooth the surface, then pour the cranberry juice, which has just enough gelatin to set it, on top. The gelée acts as a barrier to air, which prevents the pâté from discoloring and also helps it keep for several days in the refrigerator. Just be sure to give it time to soften a little at room temperature before serving.

Chicken Liver Pâté With Bourbon and Cranberry Gelée Recipe (5)

I guarantee, no one will eat this and call it sadly passé. Lovely pâté, on the other hand, may be something you hear.

Chicken Liver Pâté With Bourbon and Cranberry Gelée Recipe (6)

November 2014

Recipe Details

Chicken Liver Pâté With Bourbon and Cranberry Gelée Recipe

Active30 mins

Total5 hrs

Serves10to 12 servings

Makes1 terrine

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken livers, trimmed of sinew and fat

  • 1/4 tsp salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • 4 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 2 shallots, minced

  • 1/2 teaspoonminced fresh thyme leaves

  • 2 ouncesbourbon or American whiskey

  • 2 ounces apple cider

  • 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons)unsalted butter

  • 1/2envelope unflavored gelatin

  • 1 cup unsweetened cranberry juice(see note)

  • 2 tablespoons sugar

Directions

  1. Pat livers dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet until smoking. Cook half of the livers, turning, until browned on both sides and pink in the middle, about 4 minutes. Transfer livers to the bowl of a food processor. Add 1 more tablespoon oil, heat until smoking and repeat with remaining livers.

  2. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to skillet, add shallots and thyme and cook, stirring until softened, about 2 minutes. Add bourbon and cook, scraping up browned bits from bottom of skillet, until almost evaporated (you can flame the bourbon, but use caution as flames can leap high from the skillet). Add cider and cook until slightly reduced. Scrape shallots and any remaining liquid into food-processor bowl with livers.

  3. Add butter and process, stopping to scrape down sides, until a smooth puréeforms.

  4. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large mixing bowl and, using a wooden spoon or ladle, press and plunge liver puréethrough it. Season liver puréewith salt and pepper and scrape into a large ramekin or terrine, tapping against counter to remove air pockets. Smooth surface, then press plastic wrap directly against surface and chill in refrigerator until set, at least 2 hours and up to overnight.

  5. In a glass measuring cup, sprinkle gelatin on top of cranberry juice and let stand for 15 minutes.

  6. Transfer cranberry juice and gelatin to a small saucepan and stir in sugar. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved and juice is simmering. Remove from heat and let cool.

  7. Gently pour cooled cranberry juice on top of liver purée. Cover with plastic and refrigerate until cranberry juice sets, at least 2 hours. Pâté can be refrigerated for up to 5 days before serving.

Special Equipment

Fine-mesh strainer, food processor, 1 or 1 1/2-quart ramekin or pâté terrine

Notes

You can use sweetened cranberry juice, but if you do, omit the sugar.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
264Calories
20g Fat
7g Carbs
14g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 10to 12
Amount per serving
Calories264
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g25%
Saturated Fat 9g43%
Cholesterol 350mg117%
Sodium 204mg9%
Total Carbohydrate 7g3%
Dietary Fiber 0g1%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 14g
Vitamin C 21mg103%
Calcium 16mg1%
Iron 7mg38%
Potassium 208mg4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Chicken Liver Pâté With Bourbon and Cranberry Gelée Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long does homemade chicken liver pâté last? ›

Refrigerator: Refrigerate chicken liver pâté tightly covered for up to 1 week. To refrigerate it longer than 1 week but no longer than 1 month, pour a little melted lard or clarified butter on top to seal. Each time you dip into the pâté, you will need to reseal the top to preserve it.

What makes a good pâté? ›

All good charcuterie requires high-quality meat, and pâté is certainly no exception. “Care about the sourcing of your meat. Purchase from a trusted butcher to make sure it's high-quality and fresh. It's especially important that when you're using organ meat, it's coming from an animal that's raised and fed properly.

Is chicken liver pâté good for you? ›

Liver and liver products, like pâté, are a rich source of vitamin A in the form of retinol, which is the 'active' form. Muscle meat is not such an impressive source and plant sources have to be converted to the active form in the gut, so that the body can use them.

How to serve liver pate as a starter? ›

Before serving, toast the brioche, then cut into triangular quarters for serving. Stir the diced apple through the chutney. Serve the pâté on small wooden boards with the toasted brioche, cornichons and chutney.

Can you eat too much chicken liver pate? ›

People who eat liver or liver pâté once a week may be having more than an average of 1.5mg of vitamin A per day. If you eat liver or liver products every week, you may want to consider cutting back or not eating them as often.

How to tell if pâté has gone bad? ›

Examine its appearance - if you see any mold development or changes in color (grey or green instead of the usual pinkish/beige), it's likely spoiled. Likewise, a sour or off-putting smell is another strong indication your Pate is not safe to eat.

Why is liver pate so expensive? ›

Pate Foie Gras is French for fat liver paste. It is a luxury item because few countries allow it to be made, due to the extreme cruelty involved. It is the cancerous liver of a duck or goose fattened by force in a process known as gavage. Birds spend their lives in semi-darkness.

What is the best pâté for beginners? ›

For beginners, Daguin recommends pâté de campagne as a "pâté 101." This country-style pâté is traditionally made with coarse ground pork meat and pork liver with garlic, parsley and sometimes onion, rosemary and clove, making it a savory and easy intro to those unfamiliar with pâté's often unique texture and flavor.

Why is pâté so expensive? ›

But it's true that pâté, especially high-quality, artisanally made pâté, is not the cheapest meat product on the shelf. Making quality pâté calls for quality ingredients. Often artisanal pâté is made with locally sourced ingredients, with meat and fat from small farms instead of large corporations.

Is chicken liver pate good for your stomach? ›

Liver deserves its status as a superfood because it is the most nutrient dense part of an animal. It is ideal for those with inflammatory or autoimmune conditions to support gut healing. It is also supportive for your immune system, skin, gut and may help prevent bleeding gums.

Who should eat chicken liver? ›

Liver is low in calories and rich in high quality protein, all while providing an incredible amount of vital nutrients. For most people, liver can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. However, it should be eaten in limited amounts if you are pregnant and avoided if you have gout.

Why is chicken liver pate pink? ›

Because this pâté is a mousse consistency, overcooking the livers would be disastrous. The pâté would have hard bits of seared livers. Undercooking will create pâté that “weeps.” The livers should be cooked slowly until the centers are still pink, with only a small amount of liquid coming out of them when pressed.

What pairs well with pâté? ›

Pâte goes well with many kinds of beer, co*cktails, and wine, both red and white. But our favorite sip and snack of the summer? Gotta be Lambrusco (a Spanish sparkling red wine) and Sage and Pork Mousse with Vermouth.

What cheese goes with pâté? ›

As the name suggests, hard cheese is firm and goes perfectly well with our creamy and decadent mousse pâtés. Often savory, hard cheese can be divided into two categories: hard (such as Parmesan), and semi-hard (such as Gouda). We suggest pairing the former with Black Peppercorn, and the latter with Chicken Liver.

What is the best bread for liver pate? ›

Accompaniments for meat Pates and fish Pates require little more than toast and a few refreshing celery sticks or radish slices. Toasts are also a great partner with Pate. A grilled, properly spiky sourdough bread would be the ideal here, but any decent, thick-cut real white or granary bread will do.

Does liver pâté go bad in the fridge? ›

Freshly made pâté lasts for about a week in the refrigerator and is best consumed within the first 3-4 days after making. Commercially packaged pâtés differ from manufacturer to manufacturer: their shelf life can last from as little as just 3 months up to 24, depending on the recipe and preservation method (ex.

How long do fresh chicken livers last in the fridge? ›

For raw ground meats, poultry, seafood and variety meats (liver, tongue, chitterlings, etc.), refrigerate them only 1 to 2 days before either cooking or freezing. Beef, veal, lamb and pork roasts, steaks and chops may be kept 3 to 5 days.

Can I freeze homemade chicken liver pate? ›

One of those foods is chicken liver pate. It is easy to do and can be frozen. If you freeze it in small portions you can take one out when your visitors arrive and is ready to serve as soon as you have set the table. You can "personalize" your pate by adding olives, or mushrooms, or bacon bits.

How many days chicken liver can be stored? ›

For this reason, take care to limit the serving size and frequency; 1 to 2 tablespoons of chicken liver once a week is plenty. Also, store cooked chicken liver in the refrigerator within 2 hours or in the freezer if you don't plan to eat it within a day or two.

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