Schmaltz
Schmaltz is rendered chicken or goose fat, a traditional ingredient in Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine, often used as a flavorful cooking fat or spread. It's typically made by slowly melting down poultry skin and fat, sometimes with onions, and can be seasoned with salt.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
Schmaltz is very high in fat, particularly saturated and monounsaturated fats, with virtually no carbohydrates or protein. A tablespoon contains roughly 120 calories, providing a concentrated source of energy and fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin E.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 120 kcal |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbs | 0 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 40 mg |
| Vitamin E | 1.2 mg |
| Vitamin K | 5.6 mcg |
| Choline | 2.1 mg |
| Selenium | 0.1 mcg |
| Cholesterol | 28 mg |
Per 1 tablespoon (14 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, schmaltz is a cornerstone of traditional Jewish cooking, used in everything from matzo balls to latkes, and represents a historical practice of using every part of the animal. Nutritionally, while high in fat, it's a source of oleic acid (the same healthy fat in olive oil) and was a vital calorie-dense food in times of scarcity.
