The 50 most protein-rich ingredients

Out of the 1,907 ingredients referenced in our database, we have extracted and ranked the 50 richest in protein per 100g. Beyond simple weight, the table includes protein efficiency (grams of protein per 100 kcal) — a more relevant indicator for those looking to optimize intake without excess calories.

Methodology — USDA & Ciqual data, protein/calorie ratio

Nutritional values come from USDA FoodData Central and Ciqual (ANSES) tables. The ranking orders ingredients by crude protein per 100g of raw or dried product in its most common form. Protein efficiency (g protein per 100 kcal) is calculated to reveal the most concentrated sources per calorie. Categories cover meat/poultry, dairy/eggs, legumes/nuts/seeds, and fish/seafood. Only ingredients present in at least 5 recipes in our database were included.

Protein per 100g by ingredient

Top 20 — grams of protein per 100g of raw product

Meat & poultryDairy & eggsLegumes, nuts & seedsFish & seafoodOthers

Key highlights

Animal proteins dominate the top of the rankings

Dried meats, tuna, chicken, and hard cheeses take up the top 15 spots. Parmesan (Parmigiano-Reggiano) reaches ~35g/100g, which is as much as most lean meats, but with a higher calorie density.

Protein efficiency is a game changer

Chicken breast and canned tuna show the best protein-to-calorie ratios (~30g per 100 kcal). Nuts and seeds, while high in protein, drop in this ranking due to their high fat content.

Legumes: the best plant-based source

Red lentils (~24g/100g raw), soy (~36g/100g), and chickpeas (~19g/100g raw) are the plant-based champions. Their protein efficiency is comparable to many meats once adjusted for calories.

Fish and seafood: protein + micronutrients

Shrimp (~24g/100g, <1g fat), cod, and tuna combine high protein content with low saturated fat, plus the benefit of omega-3s (EPA/DHA) for oily fish.

Full ranking — Top 50

Rank	Ingredient	Category	Prot. /100g	Serving	Prot. /serving	Cal. /100g	Efficiency	Fat /100g
1	Gélatine	Additive	86.9g	10g	8.7g	348 kcal	25g/100kcal	0.1g
2	Isolat de soja	Legume	80.5g	25g	20.1g	335 kcal	24g/100kcal	3.4g
3	flocons de bonite	Fish	78g	150g	117g	349 kcal	22.3g/100kcal	2g
4	Stockfish (Stoccafisso)	Fish	70g	150g	105g	300 kcal	23.3g/100kcal	2g
5	Couenne de porc	Meat	70g	150g	105g	484 kcal	14.5g/100kcal	22.7g
6	tofu séché	Legume	49g	30g	14.7g	390 kcal	12.6g/100kcal	9g
7	Levure de bière en paillettes	Additive	40.4g	100g	40.4g	334 kcal	12.1g/100kcal	4.5g
8	Cecina de León	Meat	39.83g	150g	59.7g	250 kcal	15.9g/100kcal	7.4g
9	Viande des Grisons	Charcuterie	38.9g	30g	11.7g	207 kcal	18.8g/100kcal	5.5g
10	Soja graine entière	Nuts-seeds	36.5g	100g	36.5g	441 kcal	8.3g/100kcal	19.9g
11	Lupin graine	Legume	36.2g	80g	29g	356 kcal	10.2g/100kcal	9.7g
12	Kinako (poudre de soja grillé)	Grocery	36g	100g	36g	450 kcal	8g/100kcal	20g
13	Sakura Ebi (petites crevettes séchées)	Seafood	35g	30g	10.5g	185 kcal	18.9g/100kcal	5g
14	Saucisson sec allégé en matière grasse	Charcuterie	34.6g	100g	34.6g	286 kcal	12.1g/100kcal	15.7g
15	Farine de soja complète	Cereal	34.5g	100g	34.5g	457 kcal	7.5g/100kcal	20.7g
16	poudre de matcha	Beverage	34.2g	100g	34.2g	347 kcal	9.9g/100kcal	5.2g
17	Mimolette vieille	Cheese	34g	30g	10.2g	397 kcal	8.6g/100kcal	28.8g
18	Grana Padano	Cheese	33.9g	100g	33.9g	399 kcal	8.5g/100kcal	28.5g
19	Mimolette extra-vieille	Cheese	33.7g	30g	10.1g	402 kcal	8.4g/100kcal	29.5g
20	Bresaola	Charcuterie	32.8g	30g	9.8g	172 kcal	19.1g/100kcal	4.3g
21	Boeuf braisé	Meat	32.1g	120g	38.5g	240 kcal	13.4g/100kcal	12.4g
22	Asiago	Cheese	32.1g	100g	32.1g	356 kcal	9g/100kcal	25.6g
23	Pecorino Romano	Cheese	31.8g	30g	9.5g	387 kcal	8.2g/100kcal	28.8g
24	Parmesan	Cheese	31.1g	30g	9.3g	411 kcal	7.6g/100kcal	31g
25	Carne seca	Meat	31.1g	150g	46.7g	153 kcal	20.3g/100kcal	1.9g
26	Chanvre	Nuts-seeds	30.8g	100g	30.8g	617 kcal	5g/100kcal	48.8g
27	Mimolette demi-vieille	Cheese	30.6g	30g	9.2g	371 kcal	8.2g/100kcal	27.5g
28	Fromage de chèvre sec	Cheese	30.5g	40g	12.2g	440 kcal	6.9g/100kcal	35.6g
29	Jambon sec Serrano	Preserve	30.4g	100g	30.4g	235 kcal	12.9g/100kcal	12.3g
30	Os de jambon Serrano	Meat	30.4g	150g	45.6g	235 kcal	12.9g/100kcal	12.3g
31	Anchois secs (Myeolchi)	Fish	30.2g	150g	45.3g	190.5 kcal	15.9g/100kcal	7.4g
32	Porc épaule	Meat	30g	150g	45g	253 kcal	11.9g/100kcal	14.8g
33	Luzerne graine	Nuts-seeds	29.7g	100g	29.7g	426 kcal	7g/100kcal	12.6g
34	Emmental de Savoie	Cheese	29.7g	30g	8.9g	396 kcal	7.5g/100kcal	30.8g
35	Courge graine	Nuts-seeds	29.5g	100g	29.5g	618 kcal	4.8g/100kcal	49.1g
36	Mimolette jeune	Cheese	28.9g	30g	8.7g	331 kcal	8.7g/100kcal	24.2g
37	Saucisson sec pur porc	Charcuterie	28.7g	100g	28.7g	417 kcal	6.9g/100kcal	32.3g
38	Gruyère IGP France	Cheese	28.2g	30g	8.5g	415 kcal	6.8g/100kcal	33.2g
39	Jambon de Bayonne	Preserve	28g	100g	28g	243 kcal	11.5g/100kcal	12.6g
40	Bergkäse (fromage de montagne)	Cheese	28g	40g	11.2g	400 kcal	7g/100kcal	32g
41	Os de jambon de Bayonne	Meat	28g	150g	42g	228 kcal	12.3g/100kcal	12.6g
42	Emmental	Cheese	27.9g	30g	8.4g	373 kcal	7.5g/100kcal	28.8g
43	Comté	Cheese	27.8g	30g	8.3g	413 kcal	6.7g/100kcal	33.8g
44	Lentille corail	Legume	27.7g	80g	22.2g	328 kcal	8.4g/100kcal	0.8g
45	Saucisson sec aux noix et/ou noisettes	Nuts-seeds	27.7g	100g	27.7g	477 kcal	5.8g/100kcal	39.7g
46	Saucisse sèche	Charcuterie	27.3g	100g	27.3g	460 kcal	5.9g/100kcal	37.1g
47	Veau rôti	Meat	27.3g	150g	41g	217 kcal	12.6g/100kcal	12.3g
48	Bœuf	Meat	27.2g	120g	32.6g	197 kcal	13.8g/100kcal	9.7g
49	Germe de blé	Cereal	27.2g	100g	27.2g	375 kcal	7.3g/100kcal	9.5g
50	Jambon sec de Parme	Preserve	27.2g	100g	27.2g	248 kcal	11g/100kcal	15.4g

FAQ

How is protein efficiency calculated?

Protein efficiency is the number of grams of protein obtained per 100 kcal consumed: (protein × 100) / total calories. A chicken breast with 31g of protein for 165 kcal gives an efficiency of 18.8g/100 kcal. This ratio is more useful than raw weight for those monitoring their overall calorie intake.

Why do the values differ from my label?

Our data comes from USDA FoodData Central and Ciqual (ANSES) reference tables for raw products. Processed products, specific brands, and cooking methods can significantly change the values. Residual moisture (dried vs. fresh products) is the primary source of discrepancy.

Are plant proteins of equivalent quality?

The ranking measures quantity, not biological quality. Animal proteins generally have a higher PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score). However, combining plant proteins (grains + legumes) allows for a complete essential amino acid profile, as documented by the WHO/FAO.

Why are the values for 100g and not per serving?

The 100g ranking is the international standard for nutritional comparison (USDA, Ciqual, Codex Alimentarius). It allows for objective comparison of protein density between very different ingredients. The "Prot. /serving" column adds real-world context: nobody eats 100g of parmesan or spirulina for lunch. Typical servings are estimated based on common usage (30g of cheese, 150g of meat/fish, 80g of dry legumes).

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