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READY IN 25 mins

Sweetbreads

Read Reviews (9)

"Sweetbread are a gland in cattle, and this is the way my husband and I prepare them. We like them in tiny pieces, but others make them in larger portions. This method of cooking and the taste remind me a little of chicken hearts, only better. One pound of sweetbreads makes plenty for 2 people using our method." — Norma

Ingredients Edit and Save

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Types of Salt

Measuring All-Purpose Flour

Types of Cooking Oil

Original recipe makes 4 servings Change Servings

1 pound beef sweetbreads
1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup oil for frying
salt and pepper to taste

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Directions

Tear the sweetbread apart into 1 inch sections. Discard the stringy ligaments that hold it together. Rinse with water as you go. Dip the slightly wet sweetbreads into flour.
Heat 1/2 inch of oil in a large heavy skillet. Fry the sweetbreads in the hot oil until golden brown, turning once. Remove from oil, and drain on paper towels. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Kitchen-Friendly View

PREP 5 mins
COOK 20 mins
READY IN 25 mins

Footnotes

Editor's Note
We have determined the nutritional value of oil for frying based on a retention value of 10% after cooking. The exact amount may vary depending on cook time and temperature, ingredient density, and the specific type of oil used.

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Reviews More Reviews

Jan 29, 2005

I can't believe there is someone else in this world who loves sweetbread!!! We make ours the exact way. except i dont know how u can compare them to chicken hearts, yuk! we make them at the same time we make pheasant. we make the pheasant the same way. its nice to eat a few pheasant then a few sweetbread. sweetbread is a very soft texture with a sweet taste. mmm mmmm!! i strongly suggest people try them. but make sure your butcher gets the right muscle cause i've had butchers think they know what it is but don't. please people dont be afraid to try it, u wont be disapointed. (takes more than 1 cup of oil, enough to deep-fat fry.)

—MAMABEARCAT

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Feb 11, 2006

I always wanted to try sweetbreads, and always wondered what they were. I found some in my local grocery store for the first time and bought a package--very inexpensive! I used this recipe, and wow...quite delicious. Very mild and sweet flavor.

—Shellygloo

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13 Ratings

Oct 19, 2011

Love sweetbreads....very mild white meat...Actually folks closer to "it tastes like chicken" but better. I like to press mine after enitial parboiling to firm up.....1-2 mins. them press between pie plates ( cover with wrap please. and then just very lightly dust with flour and quick pan fry in butter. Don't muck around with it. just butter salt and pepper. Oh and do NOT overcook!!!!! most of the time mine just hit the pan with butter and then some salt and pepper.

—Plaisham

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Apr 29, 2008

yummy. they are hard to find here might have to go to maumee on my next fishing trip. thanks for the info pops

—pops

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Mar 17, 2009

I have never tried making sweetbreads this way, I've only had them grilled. This was a good recipe.

—powerpuff450

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Oct 24, 2012

This is how my mother has always made Sweetbreads, though usually in larger pieces. Absolutely wonderful. I so wish it were easier to find sweetbreads so I could make them. I would have them regularly if I could actually find them.

—Lah425

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Jul 14, 2012

I've never tried them this way, but it was good! I usually grill like so: First, bring them to a boil in a pot of water, turn down to a simmer and let cook for about 45 minutes on low. Take them out, cool, and slice into 1/2 inch slices. Heat a BBQ grill to high heat, place slices on the grill, and cook as you baste with BBQ sauce. We like them when they get crispy and a bit burnt, and then wrap them in tortillas w/more BBQ sauce. YUM! :o)

—FOODWIZ

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Apr 27, 2013

I've been a sweetbread lover all of my life. I prefer mine with a bit more batter because it holds the juices of the meat in better so they don't get dry. I season mine with salt & pepper before battering to bring out the flavor of the meat better. Roll in flour, dip in milk (or buttermilk for a thicker batter), then again in flour. I like to fry mine in a deep fryer for more even cooking. The secret with any frying is to make sure that your grease is hot enough to start frying immediately upon placing the item to be cooked in it so that you don't wind up with soggy, greasy food. Again....I LOVE sweetbreads!! One of my comfort foods!

—CookHoot

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Nutrition

Calories
373 kcal
19%

Carbohydrates
11.9 g
4%

Cholesterol
253 mg
84%

Fat
28.8 g
44%

Fiber
0.4 g
2%

Protein
15.4 g
31%

Sodium
109 mg
4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Sweetbreads

Serving Size: 1/4 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 373
Calories from Fat: 259

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 28.8g 44 %
Saturated Fat 8.7g 43 %
Cholesterol 253mg 84 %
Sodium 109mg 4 %
Potassium 425mg 12 %
Total Carbohydrates 11.9g 4 %
Dietary Fiber 0.4g 2 %
Protein 15.4g 31 %
** Sugars 0g
Vitamin A 0 %
Vitamin C 64 %
Calcium 1 %
Iron 31 %
Thiamin 25 %
Niacin 40 %
Vitamin B6 12 %
Magnesium 7 %
Folate 17 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.