Meat
Liver
Beef liver is the large, iron-rich organ with a soft texture and assertive mineral flavour. Calf’s liver is milder and more expensive; mature beef liver is stronger and often soaked in milk to temper bitterness. Classic preparations are flash-fried with onions, pâté and terrines, and Venetian fegato styles. Overcooking turns it grainy and dry within minutes. It is prized for nutrition density and for traditional plates that celebrate offal rather than hide it. Slice evenly, pat dry, sear in butter or oil very quickly, and keep the centre just pink unless local preference demands well-done. Pair with acid (vinegar, lemon) and sweetness (onions, balsamic) to balance iron notes.
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Characteristics
Preparations
Traits
Nutrition and pairings
Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 8.24 g
- Saturated Fat 3.9 g
- Trans Fat 0.2 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 3.59 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.75 g
- Cholesterol 281 mg
- Sodium 60 mg
- Salt 0.15 g
- Total Carbohydrate 0 g
- Dietary Fibre 0 g
- Total Sugars 0 g
- Complex / starch 0 g
- Protein 25.2 g
- Water 60.2 g
- Energy 175 kcal
- Water 60.2 g
- Protein 25.2 g
- Fat 8.24 g
- Saturated Fat 3.9 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 3.59 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.75 g
- Omega-3 0.08 g
- Trans Fat 0.2 g
- Vitamins 5323 mg
- Vitamin A 5000 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.09 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 3.18 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 12.6 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 7.29 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.41 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 40.9 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 253 µg
- Vitamin B12 — Cobalamin 1.2 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin D 0.2 µg
- Vitamin E 0.3 mg
- Vitamin K 1.5 µg
- Minerals 418 mg
- Major Minerals 410 mg
- Trace Minerals 8 mg
- Iron 8 mg
- Salt 0.15 g
- Cholesterol 281 mg
Vitamins
vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-b12-cobalamin: 1.2 · vitamin-a: 5000 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.09 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 3.18 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 12.61 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 7.29 · vitamin-b6: 0.41 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 40.9 · vitamin-b9-folate: 253.1 · vitamin-d: 0.2 · vitamin-e: 0.3 · vitamin-k: 1.5 ·
Minerals
Liver concentrates vitamins A and B12 and holds more cholesterol than skeletal muscle.
History
European and Middle Eastern cookery treated liver as everyday and festive food, not mere scraps.
Liver and onions became a widespread café and household dish in Britain and North America.
Health messaging and changing tastes reduced everyday liver eating even as pâtés retained status.