Ground beef and ground turkey are the two most common ground meats used in everyday cooking. Ground turkey is generally leaner than standard ground beef, resulting in fewer calories and less saturated fat per serving. However, extra-lean ground beef (90/10) narrows this gap considerably. Ground beef delivers more iron and zinc, along with a richer flavour that many prefer. Ground turkey absorbs seasonings well and works effectively as a substitute in most recipes. For everyday cooking aimed at reducing saturated fat, ground turkey is a solid swap, though the nutritional difference depends heavily on the fat percentage of each.
⚖️ Nutrition Comparison
| Nutrient | Ground Beef | Ground Turkey |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 330.4 kcal | 170.2 kcal |
| Total Fat | 28 g | 8 g |
| Saturated Fat | 11 g | 2.5 g |
| Cholesterol | 85.1 mg | 79.5 mg |
| Sodium | 75 mg | 200.5 mg |
| Total Carbs | 0 g | 0 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g | 0 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 0 g |
| Protein | 18 g | 21 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, Ground Beef or Ground Turkey?
Ground Beef has 330.4 calories and Ground Turkey has 170.2 calories per comparable serving. Ground Beef is the more calorie-dense of the two.
Which has more protein, Ground Beef or Ground Turkey?
Ground Beef provides 18g of protein versus 21g in Ground Turkey. Ground Turkey is the higher-protein choice.
Which has less fat, Ground Beef or Ground Turkey?
Ground Beef contains 28g of fat compared with 8g in Ground Turkey. Ground Turkey is the leaner option.
Which has less saturated fat, Ground Beef or Ground Turkey?
Ground Beef has 11g of saturated fat and Ground Turkey has 2.5g. Ground Turkey is lower in saturated fat.
Which has more sodium, Ground Beef or Ground Turkey?
Ground Beef contains 75mg of sodium versus 200.5mg in Ground Turkey. Ground Turkey is substantially higher in sodium.
Do Ground Beef or Ground Turkey contain fiber?
Neither Ground Beef nor Ground Turkey 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 Ground Beef → Calories in Ground Turkey →