A typical 1 cup serving of fat-free refried beans contains 12.3 grams of protein (5.34 g per 100 g), which makes it a good source of protein. That covers roughly 25% of the 50 g reference Daily Value, so it adds toward your protein total for the day.
Around 27% of the calories in fat-free refried beans 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, fat-free refried beans ranks 34th by protein per serving, and 286th out of all 796 foods on the site. Set against black-eyed peas, another legume entry in the database, a serving carries about 0.9 g less protein (black-eyed peas has 13.2 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 231 g. The per-100 g figure lets you compare it directly against any other food here, whatever its serving.
Source: USDA FoodData Central #172465 - "Refried beans, canned, fat-free" (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
Fat-free refried beans protein FAQ
How much protein is in fat-free refried beans per 100 g?
Fat-free refried beans has 5.34 g of protein per 100 g. A typical 1 cup serving (231 g) provides 12.3 g.
Is fat-free refried beans a complete protein?
No. Fat-free refried beans is an incomplete protein on its own; pairing it with other protein sources across the day covers the full range of essential amino acids.
How much of the Daily Value does a serving of fat-free refried beans cover?
A 1 cup serving of fat-free refried beans contains 12.3 g of protein, about 25% of the 50 g reference Daily Value.
Is fat-free refried beans a good source of protein?
Fat-free refried beans is a good source of protein, and about 27% of its calories come from protein, which makes it moderately protein-dense. Set against black-eyed peas, another legume entry in the database, a serving carries about 0.9 g less protein (black-eyed peas has 13.2 g per 1 cup cooked).