How Many Calories Does Beef Tripe Have? Your Guide to Its Nutritional Value

December 3, 2025 •

3 min read

According to USDA data, a 3-ounce (85g) serving of cooked beef tripe contains approximately 80 calories, positioning it as a relatively low-calorie and protein-rich food source. Beyond its low-fat profile, beef tripe is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with essential vitamins and minerals that offer significant health benefits.

Quick Summary

Cooked beef tripe is a lean protein source with about 80 calories per 3-ounce serving. It is packed with vitamin B12, selenium, and zinc, and is an affordable and sustainable food choice.

Key Points

Low-Calorie Protein: A 3-ounce serving of cooked beef tripe contains approximately 80 calories, with 10 grams of protein.
Rich in Micronutrients: It is an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, selenium, and zinc.
High in Collagen: Tripe is a good source of collagen, a structural protein that supports skin, bones, and joints.
Affordable and Sustainable: Consuming tripe is a budget-friendly way to get high-quality protein and supports nose-to-tail eating to reduce waste.
Cooking is Crucial: Tripe requires long, moist cooking methods like stewing or simmering to achieve a tender texture.
Preparation Matters: The total calorie count of a tripe dish depends heavily on the added fats and ingredients used during cooking.

Beef Tripe: A Detailed Look at Its Caloric and Nutritional Profile

Beef tripe, the edible lining from the stomach of cattle, is a food celebrated in many cuisines around the world for its unique texture and mild flavor. Often prepared in stews, soups, and casseroles, it has recently gained renewed attention for its impressive nutritional content.

Calorie Breakdown and Serving Size

The number of calories in beef tripe can vary slightly depending on whether it is raw or cooked and the specific cut used. For a reliable estimate, focusing on the cooked product is most useful for consumers.

Cooked, Simmered Tripe (3-ounce / 85g serving): Approximately 80 calories, with around 10 grams of protein and 3 grams of fat.
Cooked, Simmered Tripe (100g serving): Around 85 to 94 calories, based on different USDA entries.
Cooked, Simmered Tripe (5-ounce / 140g serving): Roughly 125 calories, with 18 grams of protein and 5 grams of fat.
Raw Tripe (4-ounce / 113g serving): About 96 calories, though this is not a practical serving as tripe is always cooked before eating.

Comprehensive Nutritional Profile

Beyond the basic caloric information, beef tripe provides a wealth of micronutrients that contribute to overall health. It is particularly valued for being a low-calorie source of quality protein.

A typical 3-ounce (85g) serving of cooked tripe provides a significant percentage of the daily value for several key nutrients:

Protein: About 10 grams, providing all nine essential amino acids needed by the body.
Vitamin B12: Crucial for red blood cell formation and nervous system function.
Selenium: A potent antioxidant that supports thyroid function and protects cells from damage.
Zinc: Essential for immune function, protein synthesis, and wound healing.
Calcium and Phosphorus: Both vital for building and maintaining strong bones.
Iron: Necessary for hemoglobin production and oxygen transport throughout the body.
Collagen: A structural protein that supports skin, bones, muscles, and joints.

Preparing Tripe and Its Caloric Impact

The method of preparation is key to both the taste and caloric density of the final dish. Tripe itself is low-fat, but the ingredients you cook it with can dramatically change the total calorie count.

Stewing or Boiling: Using water or a light, vegetable-based broth will keep the calorie count low, preserving the lean nature of the tripe.
Sautéing: Cooking tripe with high-fat ingredients like butter or oil will increase the total calories and fat content.
Sauces and Additions: Cream-based sauces, added cheeses, or rich animal fats will significantly boost the caloric value of the meal. To keep it light, use fresh herbs, spices, and a tomato base.

Comparing Tripe to Other Animal Proteins

To put tripe's nutritional profile into perspective, let's compare it to other common animal-based proteins based on a 3-ounce cooked serving.


Food Item	Calories	Protein (g)	Fat (g)	Notes
Cooked Beef Tripe	~80	~10	~3	Low calorie, high in B12, zinc, and selenium.
Grilled Chicken Breast	~140	~26	~3	A popular lean protein, higher in protein but also calories.
Lean Beef Steak	~200+	~22	~12+	Significantly higher in calories and fat than tripe.
Beef Liver	~130	~20	~4	Higher in iron and vitamin A but also more calories.
Pork Chops (center loin)	~150	~23	~5	Similar to chicken breast, a lean but higher-calorie option.

Conclusion

In summary, beef tripe offers a low-calorie, high-protein alternative to traditional muscle meats, making it an excellent choice for individuals focused on weight management or those seeking an affordable, nutrient-dense addition to their diet. While it is higher in cholesterol, this is less of a concern for most people, and its abundance of essential vitamins and minerals—like B12, selenium, and zinc—makes it a truly valuable food. Its mild flavor and chewy texture, once cooked properly through moist-heat methods, can be a versatile base for many delicious and wholesome recipes. Exploring organ meats like tripe also promotes a more sustainable, nose-to-tail approach to eating, helping to reduce food waste.

For more detailed nutritional information, consult the resources available at the FoodData Central database.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, beef tripe is generally low in fat. A 3-ounce serving of cooked tripe contains only about 3 grams of fat, positioning it as a lean protein option.

Tripe is rich in protein, vitamin B12, selenium, and zinc. It also contains minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron, and magnesium.

Yes, tripe can be beneficial for weight management. It's a low-calorie, high-protein food, and protein helps promote a feeling of fullness, which can reduce snacking and overeating.

The calorie count of tripe can change depending on how it's prepared. While the tripe itself is low-calorie, adding high-fat ingredients like oil, butter, or rich sauces will increase the total calories of the final dish.

Yes, tripe is a sustainable food source. By consuming organ meats like tripe, consumers support nose-to-tail eating practices, which helps to reduce food waste.

Tripe is relatively high in dietary cholesterol. A 5-ounce serving can contain a significant amount, though research suggests dietary cholesterol has a minimal impact on blood cholesterol levels for most people.

Due to its tough, chewy texture, the best way to cook tripe is through long, moist cooking methods, such as boiling, simmering, or stewing, to make it tender and more palatable.