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Ground beef (85% lean) vs Ground turkey (93% lean): calories and macros compared

Per 100 g, Ground beef (85% lean) has 232 calories and 24.6 g of protein, while Ground turkey (93% lean) has 213 calories and 27.1 g. Ground turkey (93% lean) is the lighter choice, 19 kcal fewer per 100 g. Ground turkey (93% lean) carries more protein, 2.5 g more per 100 g.

Side by side, per 100 g

Per 100 gGround beef (85% lean)Ground turkey (93% lean)
Calories232 kcal213 kcal
Protein24.6 g27.1 g
Carbs0 g0 g
Fat14 g11.6 g
Fiber0 g0 g

The verdict

Ground turkey (93% lean) wins on both: fewer calories and more protein per 100 g.

A note on the numbers

Both columns are USDA FoodData Central numbers — the same sourced data Joules logs from, rather than the crowd-sourced entries that make many trackers disagree with each other.

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Frequently asked questions

Which has fewer calories, Ground beef (85% lean) or Ground turkey (93% lean)?

Per 100 g, Ground beef (85% lean) has 232 calories and Ground turkey (93% lean) has 213. Ground turkey (93% lean) is lower by 19 kcal. Compare per 100 g first, then scale to your actual portion.

Which has more protein, Ground beef (85% lean) or Ground turkey (93% lean)?

Per 100 g, Ground beef (85% lean) has 24.6 g of protein and Ground turkey (93% lean) has 27.1 g. Ground turkey (93% lean) has 2.5 g more.

Is Ground beef (85% lean) or Ground turkey (93% lean) better for weight loss?

Neither is off-limits. Fewer calories per 100 g gives you more room in a deficit, but portion size and the rest of your day matter more than the swap itself. Log whichever you actually eat and watch your daily total.

Where do these numbers come from?

Both foods come from USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy): FDC ID 174033 for Ground beef (85% lean) and 172851 for Ground turkey (93% lean), taken per 100 g so the comparison is like-for-like.

Full nutrition for each

More comparisons

Snap a photo of Ground beef (85% lean) or Ground turkey (93% lean) in Joules and the calories and macros are logged for you — from the same USDA data.

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A note on accuracy: calculators like this one provide estimates based on population-level formulas — your real needs vary with genetics, muscle mass, medical conditions, and more. Results are for information only and are not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a prescription. Talk to a doctor or registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or exercise, especially if you have a health condition, are pregnant, or are under 18.

Nutrition data: USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 174033 · FDC ID 172851 (SR Legacy), per 100 g. Both entries are compared on the same basis.