Sweetbreads in Tomato Sauce

Sweetbreads in Tomato Sauce recipe videos

Sweetbreads in Tomato Sauce is a classic European dish featuring delicate veal or lamb thymus or pancreas glands, gently simmered in a rich, savory tomato-based sauce. The tender, mild-flavored sweetbreads are often first blanched and sautéed before being braised with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and herbs like thyme or bay leaf. This preparation is particularly popular in French, Italian, and Spanish cuisines, where it's considered a refined offal dish.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is a high-protein, moderate-fat meal with minimal carbohydrates, primarily coming from the tomato sauce. It provides significant amounts of B vitamins (especially B12), iron, and selenium, with a typical serving containing roughly 300-400 calories.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	350 kcal
Protein	32 g
Carbs	8 g
Fat	20 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	4 g
Sodium	480 mg
Vitamin B12	12 µg
Iron	4.5 mg
Selenium	45 µg
Phosphorus	380 mg
Zinc	5 mg
Potassium	420 mg
Niacin (B3)	8 mg
Riboflavin (B2)	0.4 mg

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

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, sweetbreads are considered a delicacy in many European cuisines, prized for their unique, creamy texture that contrasts beautifully with the acidic tomato sauce. Nutritionally, they are an exceptionally dense source of high-quality protein and essential minerals, offering a nutrient-rich alternative to muscle meats.