The key difference between gizzards and giblets is that all gizzards are giblets, but not all giblets are gizzards. Gizzard is an organ found in the digestive tract of some animals, while giblets include the heart, liver, gizzard, and sometimes kidneys of poultry. Gizzards and giblets are popular around the world in various cultures and cuisines. They are used in making soups, stews, pies and gravies. They are nutritious, especially those that are organic.
Key Takeaways
- Gizzards are organs found in the digestive tract of some animals, while giblets refer to the heart, liver, gizzard, and sometimes kidneys of poultry.
- Gizzards and giblets are popular in many cuisines and are used in soups, stews, pies, and gravies.
- Both gizzards and giblets are nutritious, but gizzards should not be consumed by people suffering from gout, as they contain purines that may increase uric acid levels in the body.
What are Gizzards?
A gizzard is a body part found in the digestive tract of some animals. It helps in grinding food. Gizzard is in between the sacklike crop and the intestine. It has thick muscular walls and helps the breakdown of food. Animals such as some reptiles like alligators and crocodiles, birds, fish and earthworms have gizzards. Birds like turkey, chicken, quails, ducks and pheasants have gizzards.
Gizzards are popular as a delicious dish around the world, especially chicken gizzards. Â They are cooked and eaten in different ways in a variety of countries. They are made as stews, grilled, stir-fried and added in soups. The taste of gizzards is similar to dark meat chicken. Gizzards are nutritious, especially the organic variety, but they should not be consumed by people who are suffering from gout since gizzards contain purines and may increase the uric acid levels in the body.
Various Ways of Preparing Gizzards
- South Asia and Haiti – as a grilled street food
- Africa – boiled gizzards
- Portugal – stewed gizzards
- The USA – fried gizzards with hot sauce
- Midwest USA – pickled turkey gizzards
Nutrition in 3.5 Ounces of Chicken Gizzard (Daily Value)
- 94 calories
- 1g of fat
- 7g of protein
- 18% of zinc
- 14% of iron
- 36% of selenium
- 15% of phosphorus
- 7% of potassium
- 20% of vitamin B12
- 18% of niacin
What are Giblets?
Giblets are edible organ meat of a fowl. Usually, it includes the heart, liver, gizzard, kidneys (sometimes) and other organs. In whole birds, the giblets are inside the cavity. They are taken out before the bird is cooked.
Giblets are popular around the world, especially in many Asian countries. They are used in making soups, pie, gravy, and stews. When giblets are cooked, the heart and the gizzard taste like dark meat, while the liver and the kidneys have a metallic taste.
Nutrition in 100g of Raw Chicken Giblets (Daily Value)
- Total Fat 2g
- Saturated Fat 2.6g
- Cholesterol 240mg
- Sodium 77mg
- Potassium 226mg
- Total Carbohydrate 1g
- Protein 9g
What is the Difference Between Gizzards and Giblets?
Gizzard is an organ found in the digestive tract found in some animals, while giblets is a collective term for the heart, liver, gizzard, and sometimes kidneys of poultry. The key difference between gizzards and giblets is that all gizzards are giblets; however, not all giblets are gizzards.
Summary – Gizzards vs Giblets
A gizzard is a body part found in the digestive tract in animals like pterosaurs, crocodiles, alligators, dinosaurs, birds, some gastropods, earthworms, some fish and crustaceans. Out of these, gizzards of birds, especially chicken and turkey gizzards, are world-famous. They are cooked in various ways in different cuisines. They taste like dark meat chicken. Giblet, on the other hand, is a collective term for the heart, liver, gizzard, and sometimes kidneys of poultry. The heart and the gizzard usually taste like dark meat, while the liver and the kidneys have a metallic taste. Thus, this is the summary of the difference between gizzards and giblets.
