Spleen in tomato sauce

Spleen in tomato sauce is a traditional offal dish, popular in various European cuisines, particularly in Italian and Eastern European cooking. It features sliced or diced beef or pork spleen slow-cooked in a rich, savory tomato-based sauce, often with onions, garlic, and herbs. The dish is valued for its tender texture and deep, umami flavor profile.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate meal, providing essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins. A typical serving contains roughly 250-350 calories, with minimal fat depending on preparation.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	300 kcal
Protein	35 g
Carbs	8 g
Fat	12 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	4 g
Sodium	480 mg
Iron	8 mg
Zinc	6 mg
Vitamin B12	18 µg
Potassium	450 mg
Phosphorus	350 mg
Copper	1.2 mg
Selenium	30 µg
Niacin (B3)	10 mg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, it's a prime example of nose-to-tail eating, making use of every part of the animal. Nutritionally, spleen is exceptionally rich in heme iron, which is more easily absorbed by the body than plant-based iron sources.