Lamb vs Beef: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Lamb has 26.4 g of protein and 225 calories, while beef contains 29.9 g of protein and 188 calories. Beef is higher in protein and lower in calories.

Lamb and beef are both popular meats, each offering unique flavors and nutritional benefits. This comparison highlights their calorie, protein, and fat content per 100 g to help inform dietary choices.

What Is the Difference Between Lamb and Beef?

Lamb is the meat from young sheep, known for its tender texture and rich flavor. It is commonly used in various cuisines around the world. Beef is the meat from cattle, appreciated for its versatility and robust taste. It is a staple in many diets and is available in various cuts.

Lamb vs Beef: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of lamb and beef based on their nutritional content per 100 g.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Lamb leg (roasted)	Lean beef (cooked)
Calories	225 kcal	188 kcal
Protein	26.4 g	29.9 g
Carbs	0 g	0 g
Sugar	0 g	0 g
Fat	12.4 g	7.1 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	65 mg	64 mg

Which Is Better, Lamb or Beef?

For weight loss: Lamb has 225 calories, while beef has 188 calories. Beef is the better option for those focused on reducing calorie intake.

For muscle and protein: Beef contains 29.9 g of protein, compared to lamb's 26.4 g. Therefore, beef is superior for those seeking higher protein content.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Both lamb and beef contain 0 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of sugar. They are both suitable options for low-carb or low-sugar diets.

How to Track Lamb and Beef Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macronutrient content, which can affect dietary goals. 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, not medical advice. This comparison does not account for preparation methods or additional ingredients. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Beef has 29.9 g of protein, while lamb has 26.4 g of protein. Therefore, beef has more protein.

Which has fewer calories?

Beef has 188 calories per 100 g, while lamb has 225 calories. Thus, beef has fewer calories.

What is the fat content in lamb?

Lamb contains 12.4 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the fat content in beef?

Beef contains 7.1 g of fat per 100 g.

How much sodium is in lamb?

Lamb contains 65 mg of sodium per 100 g.

How much sodium is in beef?

Beef contains 64 mg of sodium per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Lamb has 225 calories per 100 g.
• Beef has 188 calories per 100 g.
• Lamb contains 26.4 g of protein.
• Beef contains 29.9 g of protein.
• Lamb has 12.4 g of fat.
• Beef has 7.1 g of fat.