Lamb Chop vs Lamb Shank: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Lamb chop contains 316 calories and 25.2 g of protein, while lamb shank has 196 calories and 32.5 g of protein. Lamb shank is lower in calories and higher in protein.

Lamb chop and lamb shank are two popular cuts of lamb, each with distinct nutritional profiles. This comparison will highlight their differences in calories, protein, and fat content per 100 grams.

What Is the Difference Between Lamb Chop and Lamb Shank?

Lamb chop is a cut of meat that comes from the rib or loin area of the lamb, known for its tenderness and flavor. It is often grilled or roasted and is popular in various cuisines. Lamb shank is a cut from the lower leg of the lamb, characterized by its tougher texture and rich flavor. It is typically braised or slow-cooked to enhance tenderness.

Lamb Chop vs Lamb Shank: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the nutritional values of lamb chop and lamb shank per 100 grams.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Lamb chop (loin)	Lamb shank (braised)
Calories	316 kcal	196 kcal
Protein	25.2 g	32.5 g
Carbs	0 g	0 g
Sugar	0 g	0 g
Fat	23.1 g	7.4 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	77 mg	72 mg

Which Is Better, Lamb Chop or Lamb Shank?

For weight loss: Lamb shank is lower in calories at 196 calories compared to lamb chop's 316 calories, making it a better choice for weight loss.

For muscle and protein: Lamb shank provides 32.5 g of protein, which is higher than lamb chop's 25.2 g, making it more suitable for muscle building.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Both lamb chop and lamb shank contain 0 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of sugar, making them suitable for low-carb and low-sugar diets.

How to Track Lamb chop and Lamb shank Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros, especially with rich meats like lamb, which can lead to unexpected calorie 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 presented are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein, lamb chop or lamb shank?

Lamb shank has 32.5 g of protein, while lamb chop has 25.2 g of protein.

Which has fewer calories, lamb chop or lamb shank?

Lamb shank has 196 calories, whereas lamb chop has 316 calories.

How much fat is in lamb chop?

Lamb chop contains 23.1 g of fat per 100 g.

How much fat is in lamb shank?

Lamb shank contains 7.4 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the sodium content in lamb chop?

Lamb chop has 77 mg of sodium per 100 g.

What is the sodium content in lamb shank?

Lamb shank has 72 mg of sodium per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Lamb chop has 316 calories per 100 g.
• Lamb shank has 196 calories per 100 g.
• Lamb chop contains 25.2 g of protein per 100 g.
• Lamb shank contains 32.5 g of protein per 100 g.
• Both cuts have 0 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of sugar.
• Lamb chop has 23.1 g of fat, while lamb shank has 7.4 g of fat.