Food database · Legumes & beans
Protein content
A 1 cup serving of canned lentils contains 15.5 g of protein - a very good source of protein, about 31% of the 50 g Daily Value.
Share of this food's calories that come from protein - it is moderately protein-dense.
| Serving | 1 cup (185 g) |
|---|---|
| Protein per serving | 15.5 g |
| Protein per 100 g | 8.36 g |
| Calories per serving | 307 kcal |
| Protein density | 20% of calories |
| Share of 50 g Daily Value | 31% |
| Protein quality | Incomplete protein |
| Category | Legumes & beans |
| Food type | Prepared / processed |
| USDA record | FoodData Central #2707426 |
A typical 1 cup serving of canned lentils contains 15.5 grams of protein (8.36 g per 100 g), which makes it a very good source of protein. That covers roughly 31% of the 50 g reference Daily Value, so it can anchor a high-protein meal for the day.
Around 20% of the calories in canned lentils come from protein, so it is moderately protein-dense. 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 54 legumes in the database, canned lentils ranks 15th by protein per serving, and 237th out of all 796 foods on the site. Set against canned black beans, another legume entry in the database, a serving carries about 0.5 g less protein (canned black beans has 16 g per 1 cup).
It is an incomplete protein on its own; pairing it with other plant foods across the day covers the full range of essential amino acids. The serving above is measured by volume at 185 g. The per-100 g figure lets you compare it directly against any other food here, whatever its serving.
Source: USDA FoodData Central #2707426 - "Lentils, from canned" (Survey (FNDDS), published 10/31/2024). Values are the published reference figures for that record, not lab measurements for a specific brand or batch.
Quick answers
Canned lentils has 8.36 g of protein per 100 g. A typical 1 cup serving (185 g) provides 15.5 g.
No. Canned lentils is an incomplete protein on its own; pairing it with other protein sources across the day covers the full range of essential amino acids.
A 1 cup serving of canned lentils contains 15.5 g of protein, about 31% of the 50 g reference Daily Value.
Canned lentils is a very good source of protein, and about 20% of its calories come from protein, which makes it moderately protein-dense. Set against canned black beans, another legume entry in the database, a serving carries about 0.5 g less protein (canned black beans has 16 g per 1 cup).
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