Sweetbreads

Sweetbreads are a culinary delicacy consisting of the thymus or pancreas of young animals, most commonly veal or lamb. They are prized for their mild, delicate flavor and tender, creamy texture when properly prepared, often involving soaking, poaching, and then sautéing or frying. This dish has deep roots in European cuisine, particularly in French, Italian, and British cooking.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

Sweetbreads are a very high-protein, low-carbohydrate food with a moderate amount of fat. They are an excellent source of essential nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, and zinc, with a typical serving providing roughly 200-300 calories.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	220 kcal
Protein	22 g
Carbs	0 g
Fat	14 g
Fiber	0 g
Sugar	0 g
Sodium	75 mg
Vitamin B12	12 mcg
Iron	3.5 mg
Zinc	4.5 mg
Selenium	40 mcg
Phosphorus	300 mg
Niacin (B3)	8 mg
Riboflavin (B2)	0.3 mg
Copper	0.2 mg

Per 1 serving, pan-fried (approx. 85 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Despite their name, sweetbreads are not sweet nor are they bread; the name is believed to derive from Old English words meaning 'sweet' (for pleasant) and 'bread' (for food). Nutritionally, they are a dense source of nutrients that can be harder to obtain from muscle meats, like high levels of selenium and phosphorus.