Beef and pork are the two most widely consumed red meats globally, and their nutritional profiles are more similar than many people realise. Both provide high-quality complete protein and important micronutrients. Beef is generally higher in iron and zinc per serving — nutrients important for energy metabolism and immune function. Pork is often comparable or slightly lower in calories depending on the cut, and is rich in B vitamins particularly thiamine. Both are calorie-dense foods and the specific cut matters far more than the choice between the two — lean pork loin and lean beef sirloin are both excellent protein sources, while fattier cuts of either are much higher in saturated fat.
⚖️ Nutrition Comparison
| Nutrient | Beef | Pork |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 179 kcal | 240 kcal |
| Total Fat | 12.5 g | 13.1 g |
| Saturated Fat | 5.4 g | 4.8 g |
| Cholesterol | 80 mg | 82 mg |
| Sodium | 1071 mg | 57 mg |
| Total Carbs | 1.8 g | 0 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g | 0 g |
| Sugars | 1.8 g | 0 g |
| Protein | 16.1 g | 28.7 g |
* Nutrition data sourced from the USDA Food Central Database. Values have been normalized to match the larger serving size for a fair comparison. Individual products may vary. ✓ indicates the better value for that nutrient.
💬 Nutrition Q&A
Which has more calories, Beef or Pork?
Beef has 179 calories and Pork has 240 calories per comparable serving. Pork is the more calorie-dense of the two.
Which has more protein, Beef or Pork?
Beef provides 16.1g of protein versus 28.7g in Pork. Pork is the higher-protein choice.
Which has less fat, Beef or Pork?
Beef contains 12.5g of fat compared with 13.1g in Pork. Beef is the leaner option.
Which has less saturated fat, Beef or Pork?
Beef has 5.4g of saturated fat and Pork has 4.8g. Pork is lower in saturated fat.
Which has more sodium, Beef or Pork?
Beef contains 1071mg of sodium versus 57mg in Pork. Beef is substantially higher in sodium.
Do Beef or Pork contain fiber?
Neither Beef nor Pork is a meaningful source of dietary fiber.
📋 Full Nutrition Details
See the complete nutrition breakdown for each food individually, including vitamins and minerals.
Calories in Beef → Calories in Pork →