Whole food · Lamb, Veal, and Game Products
Photo: Wikipedia
Pan-fried ground veal is a finely textured, lean meat that cooks into tender, savory crumbles with a delicate, slightly sweet flavor distinct from beef. Nutritionally, it's a powerhouse of high-quality protein with minimal fat and carbohydrates, making it a staple for low-carb and high-protein diets.
People love its mild, versatile flavor that acts as a blank canvas for herbs and spices, and its fine texture makes it perfect for delicate dishes like meatballs or stuffings where a heavy beef taste isn't desired.
Its mild flavor can be perceived as bland if under-seasoned, and it is a common allergen for those with a mammalian meat allergy (alpha-gal syndrome). To counteract blandness, cook with aromatics like onions and garlic, and use flavorful cooking fats; for allergies, strict avoidance and medical consultation are necessary.
The term 'veal' comes from the Latin 'vitellus,' meaning 'calf,' and high-quality ground veal is often made from the trim of more expensive cuts like the loin or rib.
| Water | 59.9 g |
| Energy | 215 kcal |
| Energy | 901 kj |
| Protein | 25.8 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 11.8 g |
| Ash | 1.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 1.5 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 18.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.5 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 34.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 231 mg |
| Potassium, K | 245 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 146 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 3.0 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.12 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 18.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.10 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.43 mg |
| Niacin | 7.9 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.88 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.51 mg |
| Folate, total | 6.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 6.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 6.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 120 mg |
| Betaine | 33.9 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 3.5 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.26 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.07 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.05 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 55.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 1.4 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 1.4 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.5 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 4.4 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.27 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.5 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.12 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.4 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.02 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 5.7 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.44 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.44 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.11 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 5.0 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 4.6 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.78 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.64 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 0.60 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.13 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.45 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.45 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.45 g |
| Cholesterol | 77.0 mg |
| Tryptophan | 0.26 g |
| Threonine | 1.1 g |
| Isoleucine | 1.3 g |
| Leucine | 2.1 g |
| Lysine | 2.1 g |
| Methionine | 0.60 g |
| Cystine | 0.29 g |
| Phenylalanine | 1.0 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.82 g |
| Valine | 1.4 g |
| Arginine | 1.5 g |
| Histidine | 0.94 g |
| Alanine | 1.5 g |
| Aspartic acid | 2.2 g |
| Glutamic acid | 4.1 g |
| Glycine | 1.3 g |
| Proline | 1.1 g |
| Serine | 0.97 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.18 g |
How does ground veal differ from ground beef in cooking?
Ground veal is leaner and has a finer, more delicate texture and milder flavor. It cooks faster and can dry out more easily, so it benefits from being mixed with a little fat (like pork) or cooked with added moisture.
Is ground veal healthy?
Yes, it's a nutrient-dense food, high in protein and low in fat and carbs. However, it should be consumed as part of a balanced diet, and like all red meats, in moderation.
What's the best way to keep it from becoming tough?
Avoid overcooking. Since it's lean, it should be cooked just until no longer pink. Incorporating it into sauces or dishes with liquid helps retain moisture.