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Traditional meat soup providing protein and collagen
In season: Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 cup (medium) of Turkish head soup (240 g) has 173 calories. That works out to 72 calories per 100 g. It contains 5 g of carbs, 19.4 g of protein, 8.2 g of fat and 0.5 g of fiber. Its 1.7 µg of B12 covers 72% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 20 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Selected: 1 cup (medium) · 240 g
173
KCAL / 240G
Carbs
5g
· 2% DV
Protein
19.4g
· 39% DV
Fat
8.2g
· 11% DV
Fiber
0.5g
· 2% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 12% · Protein 45% · Fat 43%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 173 kcal | |
| Total fat | 8.2 g | 11% |
| Saturated fat | 2.83 g | 14% |
| Trans fat | 0.12 g | |
| Sodium | 744 mg | 32% |
| Total carbohydrate | 5 g | 2% |
| Fiber | 0.5 g | 2% |
| Protein | 19.4 g | 39% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup (medium) | 240 g | 173 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 72 kcal |
| 1 cup (small) | 150 g | 108 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 250 g | 180 kcal |
| 1 bottle (medium) | 300 g | 216 kcal |
| 1 cup (large) | 360 g | 259 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 400 g | 288 kcal |
Calculated from 72 calories per 100 g.
Turkish head soup is a traditional soup made by simmering meat from an animal’s head and serving it in the resulting broth. Recipes vary by region and may use different head cuts, seasonings, or a thickened finish.
Turkish head soup is made by cleaning and simmering the head until the meat is tender, then removing and chopping the meat. It is returned to strained broth; some cooks thicken the soup with an egg, flour, or lemon-based mixture.
Not necessarily. Many versions use the meaty parts of the head without brains, while some recipes include them or serve them separately. Ask the restaurant or cook if you need to know whether a particular bowl contains brains.
Turkish head soup focuses on meat from the head, whereas kelle paça commonly includes both head and feet. The names and recipes can overlap regionally, so the actual cuts used matter more than the menu label.
Turkish head soup is commonly made with sheep or calf head, depending on the regional recipe and availability. The meat is simmered until tender, then separated from the bones before it is served in the broth.
Turkish head soup can set or become gelatinous when chilled because connective tissue and cartilage release gelatin during simmering. This is a normal texture change; warming the soup usually makes the broth liquid again.
Turkish head soup has a savory, meaty broth and tender pieces of head meat. Its flavor can be rich, especially when the broth is gelatinous, and garlic, vinegar, lemon, or spices may give it a sharper finish.
Turkish head soup is served hot, often with garlic vinegar or lemon added at the table. Bread and chili flakes are common accompaniments, while keeping the seasoning separate lets each person adjust the bowl to taste.
Transfer leftover Turkish head soup to a covered container and refrigerate it promptly rather than leaving it out. Reheat it thoroughly before eating, or freeze portions for longer storage; the broth may firm up when cold.
Clean the head thoroughly and discard the first boiling water to reduce strong odors when making Turkish head soup. Simmer it in fresh water with aromatics such as onion or bay leaf, and keep the kitchen well ventilated.
Vitamins
B12
1.73µg · 72% DV
B3
4.32mg · 27% DV
B2
0.29mg · 22% DV
B6
0.26mg · 15% DV
Minerals
Selenium
24µg · 44% DV
Sodium
744mg · 32% DV
Phosphorus
206mg · 29% DV
Zinc
3mg · 27% DV
Potassium ⭐
341mg · 10% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 173 calories in 1 cup (medium) (240 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
Turkish head soup is a traditional soup made by slowly simmering meat from a sheep’s or goat’s head until tender, then serving it in its savoury broth. Recipes vary: some keep the broth simple, while others thicken or season it, often with garlic and lemon.
The result is warming and deeply savoury, with soft pieces of meat and a rich, gelatinous broth. In Turkey it is commonly served hot, with lemon, garlic vinegar or chilli available at the table; Turkish restaurants and soup shops may offer it as a substantial meal. It is protein-rich, with 8.1 g per 100 g. For a lighter serving, add lemon and pair a moderate bowl with salad rather than several rich sides.
High
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
NOVA 2
Minimally Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Contains these allergens:
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
— Not suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
2.83g
MONOUNSATURATED
3.55g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.6g
Omega 6:3 ratio 4.6:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (4.6:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.