Pig's Ear Salad

Pig's ear salad is a popular cold appetizer in Chinese cuisine, particularly in Sichuan and Hunan provinces. It features thinly sliced, braised pig's ears tossed in a spicy, tangy dressing, often with ingredients like chili oil, vinegar, garlic, cilantro, and peanuts.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is high in protein and fat, with virtually no carbohydrates. It's a good source of collagen and provides minerals like iron and zinc, with a typical serving containing around 200-300 calories.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	250 kcal
Protein	18 g
Carbs	2 g
Fat	18 g
Fiber	0.5 g
Sugar	0.5 g
Sodium	480 mg
Collagen	~10 g
Iron	1.8 mg
Zinc	2.5 mg
Selenium	12 µg
Phosphorus	95 mg
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)	0.15 mg
Vitamin B12	0.6 µg
Niacin (B3)	3.2 mg

Per 1 cup (150 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, it's prized for its unique, crunchy yet gelatinous texture. Nutritionally, pig's ears are an excellent natural source of collagen, which is beneficial for skin, joint, and connective tissue health.