Food database · Legumes & beans
Protein content
A 1 cup serving of dal contains 20.6 g of protein - a very good source of protein, about 41% of the 50 g Daily Value.
Share of this food's calories that come from protein - it is moderately protein-dense.
| Serving | 1 cup (240 g) |
|---|---|
| Protein per serving | 20.6 g |
| Protein per 100 g | 8.6 g |
| Calories per serving | 348 kcal |
| Protein density | 24% of calories |
| Share of 50 g Daily Value | 41% |
| Protein quality | Incomplete protein |
| Category | Legumes & beans |
| Food type | Prepared / processed |
| USDA record | FoodData Central #2707427 |
A typical 1 cup serving of dal contains 20.6 grams of protein (8.6 g per 100 g), which makes it a very good source of protein. That covers roughly 41% of the 50 g reference Daily Value, so it can anchor a high-protein meal for the day.
Around 24% of the calories in dal 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, dal ranks 2nd by protein per serving, and 139th out of all 796 foods on the site. Set against winged beans, another legume entry in the database, a serving carries about 2.4 g more protein (winged beans has 18.2 g per 1 cup cooked).
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 240 g. The per-100 g figure lets you compare it directly against any other food here, whatever its serving.
Source: USDA FoodData Central #2707427 - "Dal" (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
Dal has 8.6 g of protein per 100 g. A typical 1 cup serving (240 g) provides 20.6 g.
No. Dal 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 dal contains 20.6 g of protein, about 41% of the 50 g reference Daily Value.
Dal is a very good source of protein, and about 24% of its calories come from protein, which makes it moderately protein-dense. Set against winged beans, another legume entry in the database, a serving carries about 2.4 g more protein (winged beans has 18.2 g per 1 cup cooked).
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