Chili Con Carne vs Lentil Soup: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Chili con carne and lentil soup are compared for nutrition.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Chili con carne has 5.8 g of protein and 107 calories, while lentil soup contains 2.9 g of protein and 53 calories. Chili con carne is higher in protein, while lentil soup is lower in calories.

Chili con carne and lentil soup are popular dishes that offer different nutritional profiles. This comparison highlights their calorie counts, protein levels, and other key nutrients per 100 grams.

What Is the Difference Between Chili Con Carne and Lentil Soup?

Chili con carne is a hearty dish made with ground meat, beans, tomatoes, and spices. It is often served as a stew or with rice. Lentil soup is a nutritious soup made primarily from lentils, vegetables, and seasonings. It is known for being filling and high in fiber.

Chili Con Carne vs Lentil Soup: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of chili con carne and lentil soup, focusing on their nutritional content.

Nutrient (per 100 g) Chili con carne Lentil soup
Calories 107 kcal 53 kcal
Protein 5.8 g 2.9 g
Carbs 13.1 g 9.5 g
Sugar 1.9 g 2.6 g
Fat 3.5 g 1.1 g
Fiber 3.3 g 2.9 g
Sodium 449 mg 131 mg

Which Is Better, Chili Con Carne or Lentil Soup?

For weight loss: Lentil soup is lower in calories, containing 53 calories compared to 107 calories in chili con carne.

For muscle and protein: Chili con carne has more protein at 5.8 g, while lentil soup provides 2.9 g of protein.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Chili con carne has 13.1 g of carbs and 1.9 g of sugar, while lentil soup has 9.5 g of carbs and 2.6 g of sugar.

How to Track Chili con carne and Lentil soup Accurately

Portion sizes and macronutrient content can easily be misjudged, affecting overall dietary intake. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. This comparison is based on a per-100g basis. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Chili con carne has 5.8 g of protein, while lentil soup has 2.9 g of protein.

Which has fewer calories?

Lentil soup has 53 calories, while chili con carne has 107 calories.

What is the fat content of chili con carne?

Chili con carne contains 3.5 g of fat per 100 g.

How much fiber is in lentil soup?

Lentil soup contains 2.9 g of fiber per 100 g.

What is the sodium level in chili con carne?

Chili con carne has a sodium level of 449 mg per 100 g.

How many grams of sugar are in lentil soup?

Lentil soup contains 2.6 g of sugar per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

  • Chili con carne has 107 calories per 100 g.
  • Lentil soup has 53 calories per 100 g.
  • Chili con carne contains 5.8 g of protein.
  • Lentil soup contains 2.9 g of protein.
  • Chili con carne has 3.5 g of fat.
  • Lentil soup has 1.1 g of fat.

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