Beef, variety meats and by-products, brain, cooked, simmered
Whole food · Beef Products
Photo: Wikipedia
Beef brain is a delicate, creamy organ meat with a mild, slightly mineral flavor and a uniquely soft, custard-like texture when simmered. It's a nutrient-dense food, exceptionally high in omega-3 fatty acids (DHA) and vitamin B12, while being low in carbs and fiber.
Calorie split: 32% protein · 4% carbs · 64% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its rich, buttery flavor and velvety texture that absorbs seasonings beautifully. It's a prized delicacy in many cultures, celebrated in dishes from tacos de sesos to fried brain sandwiches.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Due to its high cholesterol and saturated fat content, it should be consumed in moderation by those managing heart health. Always source from young, healthy animals to minimize any risk of prion diseases. Counteract by pairing with fiber-rich vegetables and using healthy cooking fats like olive oil.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of DHA, an omega-3 crucial for brain health.
- Extremely high in vitamin B12, vital for nerve function and red blood cells.
- Rich in choline, a nutrient important for memory and muscle control.
- Provides a good amount of high-quality protein with minimal carbohydrates.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Beef brain is one of the richest food sources of DHA, containing even more per gram than many types of fish.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 74.9 g |
| Energy | 151 kcal |
| Energy | 630 kj |
| Protein | 11.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 10.5 g |
| Ash | 1.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 1.5 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 9.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.3 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 12.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 335 mg |
| Potassium, K | 244 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 108 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.1 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.23 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.03 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 21.8 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 10.5 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.07 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.22 mg |
| Niacin | 3.6 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 1.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.14 mg |
| Folate, total | 5.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 5.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 5.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 491 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 10.1 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 6.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 70.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 117 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.7 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.06 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.10 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.4 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.97 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.3 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.04 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 1.9 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.7 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.19 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.6 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.35 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.38 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.85 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.51 g |
| Cholesterol | 3100 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Beef, variety meats and by-products, mechanically separated beef, raw — USDA does not publish this profile for Beef.
| Tryptophan | 0.17 g |
| Threonine | 0.47 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.58 g |
| Leucine | 1.2 g |
| Lysine | 1.2 g |
| Methionine | 0.43 g |
| Cystine | 0.23 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.64 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.38 g |
| Valine | 0.92 g |
| Arginine | 1.2 g |
| Histidine | 0.44 g |
| Alanine | 1.0 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.3 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.1 g |
| Glycine | 1.2 g |
| Proline | 0.92 g |
| Serine | 0.57 g |
FAQ
Is eating beef brain safe?
When sourced from healthy, young cattle and properly cooked, it is considered safe. However, it is advised to avoid it from older animals due to the theoretical risk of prion diseases like BSE (mad cow disease).
What does beef brain taste like?
It has a mild, slightly sweet and mineral flavor, often compared to a very rich, creamy pâté or firm tofu. Its texture is its defining feature—soft, custard-like, and delicate.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.51 kcal/g · 31% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.44 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.