Beef Tongue vs Beef Liver: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Beef tongue and beef liver have distinct nutritional profiles.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Beef tongue contains 284 calories and 19.1 g of protein, while beef liver has 150 calories and 23.3 g of protein. Beef liver is higher in protein and lower in calories.

Beef tongue and beef liver are both nutrient-dense cuts of beef, but they differ significantly in their nutritional content. This comparison will highlight their respective calories, protein, and fat levels.

What Is the Difference Between Beef Tongue and Beef Liver?

Beef tongue is a cut of meat from the tongue of a cow, known for its rich flavor and tender texture when cooked properly. It is often used in various cuisines around the world. Beef liver is the liver of a cow, recognized for its high nutrient density, particularly in vitamins and minerals. It is often consumed as a delicacy in many cultures.

Beef Tongue vs Beef Liver: Nutrition Side by Side

The following table provides a side-by-side comparison of beef tongue and beef liver.

Nutrient (per 100 g) Beef tongue (cooked) Beef liver (cooked)
Calories 284 kcal 150 kcal
Protein 19.1 g 23.3 g
Carbs 3.7 g 3.8 g
Sugar 0 g 0 g
Fat 22 g 4.7 g
Fiber 0 g 0 g
Sodium 60 mg 55 mg

Which Is Better, Beef Tongue or Beef Liver?

For weight loss: Beef liver has 150 calories, while beef tongue has 284 calories. Choosing beef liver may be more suitable for weight loss.

For muscle and protein: Beef liver contains 23.3 g of protein, compared to 19.1 g in beef tongue. Thus, beef liver is a better option for protein intake.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Both beef tongue and beef liver have low carbohydrate content, with beef tongue at 3.7 g and beef liver at 3.8 g. Both options contain no sugar.

How to Track Beef tongue and Beef liver Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros, especially with rich cuts like beef tongue and liver. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. This comparison is based on per-100g servings. Values are per 100 g: Beef tongue from Open Food Facts (aggregated plain entries), Beef liver from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein, beef tongue or beef liver?

Beef liver has 23.3 g of protein, while beef tongue has 19.1 g of protein.

Which has fewer calories, beef tongue or beef liver?

Beef liver has 150 calories, whereas beef tongue has 284 calories.

What is the fat content in beef tongue?

Beef tongue contains 22 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the sodium content in beef liver?

Beef liver contains 55 mg of sodium per 100 g.

How much sugar is in beef tongue?

Beef tongue contains 0 g of sugar per 100 g.

What are the carbohydrate levels in beef liver?

Beef liver has 3.8 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

  • Beef tongue: 284 calories, 19.1 g protein.
  • Beef liver: 150 calories, 23.3 g protein.
  • Beef tongue: 22 g fat, 3.7 g carbs.
  • Beef liver: 4.7 g fat, 3.8 g carbs.
  • Both contain 0 g sugar and minimal fiber.

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