Pickled brain

Pickled brain is a traditional delicacy made from animal brains (typically beef, pork, or sheep) that are marinated in a brine of vinegar, salt, and spices. It is a preserved food found in various culinary traditions, including parts of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, often served cold as an appetizer or part of a charcuterie spread.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is high in protein and fat, with virtually no carbohydrates. It is a dense source of nutrients like iron, vitamin B12, and choline, but also very high in sodium due to the pickling brine.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	120 kcal
Protein	8 g
Carbs	1 g
Fat	9 g
Fiber	0 g
Sugar	0 g
Sodium	580 mg
Vitamin B12	3.2 mcg
Iron	2.1 mg
Choline	180 mg
Selenium	14 mcg
Phosphorus	160 mg
Zinc	1.5 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)	0.2 mg
Copper	0.3 mg

Per 2 oz (56 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, pickled brains represent a traditional method of preserving and utilizing offal, minimizing food waste. Nutritionally, they are exceptionally rich in choline, a nutrient crucial for brain health that is less commonly found in such concentrated amounts in other foods.