Beef Liver vs Lamb Liver [Which One to Choose]

All of us meat lovers try to find the best way to benefit from the meat we consume. The nutrition level of the meat varies from animal to animal. Liver is an excellent source of nutrients such as protein, vitamin A, calcium, etc. 

Are you in a dilemma about beef and lamb liver? Not to worry, we are going to clear your doubts right away! So, what is the difference between beef liver and lamb liver?

Beef Liver vs Lamb Liver

The taste of liver is always different from the meat. Liver is a high-protein, dense meat with a unique taste. Beef liver contains more carbohydrates and calcium content than lamb liver. On the other hand, lamb liver has a higher vitamin A levels.

It is essential to understand how beef liver and lamb liver are different. Learning how various foods impact our health is vital. To help you with this, we have put together this post for you to know everything about beef and lamb liver! What are you waiting for?

A Brief Analysis of Beef and Lamb Liver!

You must be confused over what kind of liver is more nutritious: beef or lamb.

Before we get into the detailed analysis, we’ve included a brief comparison to summarize it for you! 

Read further to know more! 

Aspects Beef Liver (every 100g)Lamb Liver (every 100g)
Calories 133138
Texture (raw) Slippery, jellyJelly 
Vit C1.11.1
TasteEarthy Bitter
Vit A20% less than lamb liver20% more than beef liver
Protein 20.35g20.4g
Carbohydrate5g2g
Cholesterol274139
Iron4.78mg4.6mg
PriceLess price than lamb liverMore price than beef liver

Differences between Beef Liver and Lamb Liver: Explained in detail

Before deciding which one is healthier, it is essential to take a closer look at both in order to make a well-informed choice. So, let’s dive right in!

Athletic Boost

Eating liver is great for all you athletes out there! Since the liver has so much protein, it is suitable for those who work out or play sports.

Every 100 g of beef liver contains 20.35g of protein. On the other hand, 100g of lamb liver contains 20.4g of protein. 

As we can see, the difference is quite negligible. So, if you’re wondering which one’s a better source of protein, they’re both pretty great!

Verdict: They both have similar protein content!

Carbohydrates

It is vital to consider the carbohydrate level of both these livers. In the present day, several people suffer from high cholesterol levels. 

100g of beef liver contains 5g of carbohydrate while lamb liver only contains 2g. This makes lamb liver much safer to consume for people suffering from hypercholesterolaemia. If you ever wish to eat beef liver at some point, please remember to consult a nutritionist regarding its safety.

Verdict: Lamb liver is safer for the heart. 

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is an excellent nutrient to get your eye health in check! So, which kind of liver gives you more Vitamin A goodness? Lamb liver has about 20 percent more Vitamin A content than beef liver. So, if you’re someone looking to enhance your vision, lamb liver offers more Vitamin A. 

Please remember only to eat liver in appropriate amounts. Everything must be consumed in moderation. Too much can be dangerous too! 

Verdict: Lamb liver takes the cake for Vitamin A!  

Calcium

Most of us know the importance of calcium in our diets. Calcium is essential to maintain strong development and healthy bones. 

Calcium is crucial for growing children to ensure healthy bone development. So, picking beef liver can greatly enhance your child’s growth if you’re a parent.

Both beef liver and lamb liver contain significant amounts of calcium. But which one of them contains more?

Every 100g of lamb liver offers about 1.98 grams of calcium. However, every 100g of beef liver offers a whopping 5g! So, for those looking for extra calcium intake, beef liver is the way to go. Please ensure that you consume beef liver in the appropriate amounts to get that boost of calcium!

There’s a good chance some of you don’t enjoy the taste of liver. But should you be missing out on its nutrients just because of what it does to your taste palate? You can still benefit from these nutrients without having to eat them.

Verdict: Beef liver wins the prize for this one! 

Taste

The taste of animal liver is rather unique. It is more aromatic and denser in texture compared to meat. The meat of the liver can be relatively tough. 

You can cook beef liver to perfection on a medium flame. It will retain a lovely, tender texture and its exceptional taste makes it stand out!

Lamb liver is like wine; you need to have a taste for it! It looks much different than other parts of lamb meat. It is vital to cook lamb liver properly. If not, it could result in a gamey texture and taste. You will not be able to enjoy the essence of lamb liver. Additionally, lamb liver is much more tender than other kinds of the liver. So, it is best to cook it as delicately as possible. 

Honestly, the taste of lamb liver is not for everyone. We recommend you try it out first before cooking it.

It is essential not to overcook liver. The overcooked liver can get hard to chew. Its outer texture may make it crunchier as well. It can retain more of a smoky flavor which sometimes tastes burnt. So, pay constant attention to ensure the liver is perfectly cooked!

Verdict: Whether you like the taste of beef or lamb liver is subjective. We advise you to try them out and see which suits you best!

Price Range

The price point of each is another aspect to consider. It is not natural to want to stay within your budget every month!

In most places, lamb liver is sold at a higher price compared to beef liver. So, if you want some good protein in your diet but at a more budget-friendly cost, beef liver is the way to go!

Verdict: Beef liver will not hurt your pockets as much as lamb liver! 

Now, the Winner!

Both beef and lamb liver offer their share of nutrition. Many people, especially athletes, can significantly benefit from adding liver to their diet.

If you’re physically active and could use all the protein you can get, both kinds of livers work. As mentioned above, beef liver contains 2.35g of protein every 100g, whereas lamb contains 2.4g of protein. The difference is negligible. So, you can simply choose which kind of liver to consume based on taste and availability.

Next, coming to Vitamin A, lamb liver contains 20 percent more content than beef liver. So, if you’re looking for great sources of Vitamin A to enhance your vision, lamb liver is the way to go.

One aspect where you can observe a significant difference between both is calcium content. Lamb liver contains about 1.98g of calcium every 100g. On the other hand, beef liver offers 5g of calcium every 100g. As you can see, you can add much more calcium to your diet by consuming beef liver.

In our opinion, the first thing you must consider is the carbohydrate level. As we discussed above, the beef liver can impact the heart of those with high cholesterol levels. 

Coming to the taste, lamb liver is not too popular with some people. We always recommend trying out both beef and lamb liver before settling on one. You can cook beef liver on rare or medium flame. Please remember not to overcook liver as it can ruin the texture and degrade its taste. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does cooked liver turn green in color?

If your liver turns green in color, it is due to biliary leachate that comes from the gall bladder. This is mostly due to a part of the gallbladder still being attached to the liver. The green liver is not considered toxic for human consumption. However, butchers keep green liver away as it doesn’t look as appetizing. 

2. Why should I soak liver in milk?

Soaking liver in milk is an important step while cooking it. Please remember never to skip this step. Some have claimed that liver has a rather vinegary taste, making it better. You can get rid of its bitterness by soaking it in milk for an hour or two.

Is raw liver safe to eat?

We recommend not eating raw liver. You could contract many diseases by eating raw animal meat or organs. Infective agents such as Hepatitis virus, Campylobacter and Salmonella can be leading causes for foodborne diseases. So, please avoid consuming raw liver regardless of its freshness.

Summary

We’ve reached the end of the article! Beef and Lamb liver are both excellent choices. They offer a variety of nutrients that make your diet more nutritious! The liver offers nutrients such as protein, calcium, and Vitamin A. 

Nothing of too much is healthy for your body. Please ensure that you consume liver in appropriate amounts.

We recommend consulting a nutritionist for those having high cholesterol levels in their body.

Beef liver contains a considerable amount of carbs which may negatively impact the heart. 

That’s it from us; stay tuned for more!