Tongue Sandwich

The tongue sandwich is a classic Jewish deli staple featuring thinly sliced, brined, and simmered beef or calf's tongue, typically served on rye bread with mustard or horseradish. It's a beloved part of the Ashkenazi culinary tradition, often found alongside pastrami and corned beef in iconic delis across New York and beyond.

🍳 View the full Tongue Sandwich recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This sandwich is a high-protein, low-carb option, providing a rich source of iron, zinc, and B vitamins, especially B12. A typical serving (about 4-6 ounces of meat on bread) generally falls in the 350-500 calorie range.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	450 kcal
Protein	28 g
Carbs	35 g
Fat	22 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	4 g
Sodium	1200 mg
Iron	4.5 mg
Zinc	5 mg
Vitamin B12	6 mcg
Niacin (B3)	8 mg
Phosphorus	300 mg
Selenium	35 mcg
Potassium	350 mg
Vitamin B6	0.5 mg

Per 1 sandwich (approx. 250 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, the tongue sandwich represents the Jewish deli tradition of using humble, less popular cuts of meat and transforming them into delicacies through careful brining and slow cooking. Nutritionally, tongue is surprisingly lean and nutrient-dense, offering more iron and fewer calories than many other deli meats like pastrami or salami.