A typical 1 cup cooked serving of amaranth contains 9.3 grams of protein (3.8 g per 100 g), which makes it a good source of protein. That covers roughly 19% of the 50 g reference Daily Value, so it adds toward your protein total for the day.
Around 15% of the calories in amaranth come from protein, so it is more of an energy food than a protein food. It contributes to a day's protein total, but the bulk of what it delivers is energy rather than amino acids - treat it as a contributor alongside a denser source, not as the protein in a meal.
Among the 111 grains in the database, amaranth ranks 9th by protein per serving, and 319th out of all 796 foods on the site. Set against naan, another grain entry in the database, a serving carries about 0.6 g more protein (naan has 8.7 g per 1 piece).
It is a complete protein - it supplies all nine essential amino acids in adequate amounts, so it can carry a meal's protein on its own. The serving above is measured by volume at 246 g. The per-100 g figure lets you compare it directly against any other food here, whatever its serving.
One of the few grains with a complete essential amino acid profile.
Source: USDA FoodData Central #170683 - "Amaranth grain, cooked" (SR Legacy, published 4/1/2019). Values are the published reference figures for that record, not lab measurements for a specific brand or batch.
Quick answers
Amaranth protein FAQ
How much protein is in amaranth per 100 g?
Amaranth has 3.8 g of protein per 100 g. A typical 1 cup cooked serving (246 g) provides 9.3 g.
Is amaranth a complete protein?
Yes. Amaranth is a complete protein - it supplies all nine essential amino acids in adequate amounts, so it can carry a meal's protein on its own.
How much of the Daily Value does a serving of amaranth cover?
A 1 cup cooked serving of amaranth contains 9.3 g of protein, about 19% of the 50 g reference Daily Value.
Is amaranth a good source of protein?
Amaranth is a good source of protein, and about 15% of its calories come from protein, which makes it more of an energy food than a protein food. Set against naan, another grain entry in the database, a serving carries about 0.6 g more protein (naan has 8.7 g per 1 piece).