Sliced Head Cheese on a Charcuterie Board
Sliced head cheese is a traditional cold cut terrine made from the flesh of a pig's head, set in a savory aspic (meat jelly) and often sliced for serving. It typically includes pork cheek, tongue, and other parts, seasoned with herbs and spices like vinegar, salt, pepper, and sometimes mustard. This dish has roots in European cuisine, particularly in Germany (where it's called 'Schwartenmagen'), France ('fromage de tête'), and parts of the United States with strong German or Eastern European heritage.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
Head cheese is a high-protein, high-fat food with virtually no carbohydrates. It is a rich source of protein, collagen, and minerals like iron and zinc, with a rough calorie estimate of 250-350 kcal per 100g serving.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 170 kcal |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbs | 1 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 480 mg |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Collagen (from gelatin) | Significant |
| Iron | 1.2 mg |
| Zinc | 2.5 mg |
| Selenium | 15 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 120 mg |
| Thiamin (B1) | 0.3 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.8 mcg |
Per 2 oz (56 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Despite its name, head cheese contains no dairy cheese; the 'cheese' refers to the mold used to shape the meat. Nutritionally, it's a dense source of collagen from the natural gelatin in the head, which is often sought after for joint and skin health.
