Protein in Corned Beef: How Much per 100g and per Portion
Canned corned beef provides 25.9g of protein per 100g, making it a high-protein food. It ranks 15th for protein content out of 137 foods analysed on this site. Over half of its energy (51%) comes from protein, with the remainder coming mostly from fat.
CoFID 19-128 · Corned beef, canned
What the numbers say
- Protein per calorie. Corned beef provides 12.6g of protein for every 100 kcal. Protein accounts for just over half of its total energy content.
- High in salt and saturates. According to UK front-of-pack guidance, corned beef is high in saturated fat (5.7g per 100g) and high in salt (2.15g per 100g). Its total fat is rated as medium.
- Carbohydrate and fibre. This food is very low in carbohydrates, containing only 1.0g per 100g. The official data shows it contains no dietary fibre.
- Share of protein intake. A 100g amount of canned corned beef supplies 52% of the UK’s reference intake for protein for an average adult.
Corned Beef macros per 100g
| Per 100g | Amount | % RI | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 205 kcal 860 kJ |
10% | – |
| Protein | 25.9g | 52% | – |
| Fat | 10.9g | 16% | medium |
| of which saturates | 5.7g | 29% | high |
| Carbohydrate | 1g | 0% | – |
| of which sugars | 1g | 1% | low |
| Fibre | 0g | – | – |
| Salt | 2.15g | 36% | high |
% RI is the share of the adult reference intake used on UK food labels (protein 50g, energy 2,000 kcal). Label colour applies the FSA front-of-pack bands for fat, saturates, sugars and salt per 100g. “Trace” means CoFID reports only a trace amount.
Protein in corned beef by amount
| Amount | Protein | kcal | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100g | 25.9g | 205 | 1g | 10.9g |
| 150g | 38.8g | 308 | 1.5g | 16.4g |
| 200g | 51.8g | 410 | 2g | 21.8g |
Example amounts for comparison, not recommended portions. Weigh your own serving.
Amount of corned beef for 20g or 30g of protein
- To get 20g of protein, you would need a 77g amount of corned beef, which also contains 158 kcal and 1.66g of salt.
- For a larger target of 30g of protein, a 116g amount is required, providing 237 kcal and 2.49g of salt.
- The high salt content is a key factor to consider when including corned beef in a nutrition programme.
How it compares with other meats
With 25.9g of protein per 100g, canned corned beef ranks 11th among the 28 meats on this site and 15th overall. Its protein content is very similar to chicken thigh (25.6g) but slightly lower than gammon rashers (27.5g) and lamb liver (30.1g). When considering protein relative to calories, its ranking is lower at 19th within the meats group. This is because it contains more energy from fat than some other options, providing 12.6g of protein per 100 kcal, compared to 14.2g from chicken thigh.
| Per 100g | Protein | kcal | Protein per 100 kcal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corned Beef | 25.9g | 205 | 12.6g |
| Lamb Liver | 30.1g | 237 | 12.7g |
| Chicken Thigh | 25.6g | 180 | 14.2g |
| Gammon Rashers | 27.5g | 199 | 13.8g |
| Chicken Liver | 22.1g | 169 | 13.1g |
Quick answers
Is corned beef a good source of protein?
Yes, canned corned beef is a high-protein food, providing 25.9g of protein per 100g. Over half of its calories come from protein.
How much fat is in corned beef?
Corned beef contains 10.9g of fat per 100g, of which 5.7g is saturated fat. Its front-of-pack colour rating for saturated fat is high.
Is corned beef high in salt?
Yes, the data shows it is a high-salt food, with 2.15g of salt per 100g. A 150g amount contains 3.22g of salt.
When to speak to a GP or dietitian
- If you have chronic kidney disease, you may have been given a protein target. Check with your renal team or GP before raising your protein intake.
- At 2.15g of salt per 100g, this counts as high in salt on UK front-of-pack labels. If you have high blood pressure or have been told to cut salt, ask your GP how it fits.
- If tracking protein or calories starts to feel stressful or takes over your day, talk to your GP. Our safety note lists support services.