Meat

Brain

Lamb brain is a traditional soft offal in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South Asian cookery—creamy when gently cooked, fragile to handle. Soak briefly in cold salted water, dry carefully, and cook with a light crust or in a spiced scramble. Fry after light flouring, or simmer gently and dress with lemon and olive oil. Overcooking turns the texture grainy. Source inspected product and follow local guidance on neural tissue. Pair with sharp herbs and acid to balance richness.

Track this ingredient

Quantity

Unit

Kg Liters Whole

Note

Characteristics

Preparations

BraisedCookedFreshFriedGrilledPreparedRoastedSoaked

Traits

BrainButcher CutCulinary PartSoftTraditionalVersatile

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 296

Amount per 100 g

Total Fat 31.2 g
Saturated Fat 10.8 g
Trans Fat 0.2 g
Monounsaturated Fat 5 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.88 g
Cholesterol 534 mg
Sodium 61.7 mg
Salt 0.15 g
Total Carbohydrate 0 g
Dietary Fibre 0 g
Total Sugars 0 g
Complex / starch 0 g
Protein 12.5 g
Water 55.8 g

Detailed nutrients

Energy 296 kcal
Water 55.8 g
Protein 12.5 g
Fat 31.2 g
- Saturated Fat 10.8 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 5 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 2.88 g
  - Omega-3 0.29 g
- Trans Fat 0.2 g
Vitamins 36 mg
- Vitamin A 15 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.08 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.19 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 5.25 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.57 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.37 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 2.3 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 7.3 µg
- Vitamin B12 — Cobalamin 1.2 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin D 0.2 µg
- Vitamin E 0.27 mg
- Vitamin K 1.3 µg
Minerals 357 mg
- Major Minerals 356 mg
  - Calcium 57 mg
  - Sodium 61.7 mg
  - Potassium 237 mg
- Trace Minerals 1.5 mg
  - Iron 1.5 mg
Salt 0.15 g
Cholesterol 534 mg

Vitamins

vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-b12-cobalamin: 1.2 · vitamin-a: 15 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.08 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.19 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 5.25 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.57 · vitamin-b6: 0.37 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 2.3 · vitamin-b9-folate: 7.3 · vitamin-d: 0.2 · vitamin-e: 0.27 · vitamin-k: 1.3 ·

Minerals

Sodium: 61.66 · Potassium: 237 · Calcium: 57 · Iron: 1.5 ·

Brain is unusually rich in structural lipids and cholesterol compared with lean muscle.

History

1200

Greek and Turkish breakfast tables long featured lamb brains with lemon and oil.

1800

French fritter traditions treated lamb brains as a delicate café specialty.

2000

Nose-to-tail restaurants revived brain dishes for diners seeking classical offal.