Food database · Legumes & beans
Protein content
A 2 tbsp serving of peanut butter contains 7 g of protein - a good source of protein, about 14% of the 50 g Daily Value.
Share of this food's calories that come from protein - it is more of an energy food than a protein food.
| Serving | 2 tbsp (32 g) |
|---|---|
| Protein per serving | 7 g |
| Protein per 100 g | 21.9 g |
| Calories per serving | 188 kcal |
| Protein density | 15% of calories |
| Share of 50 g Daily Value | 14% |
| Protein quality | Incomplete protein |
| Category | Legumes & beans |
| Food type | Prepared / processed |
| USDA record | FoodData Central #174294 |
A typical 2 tbsp serving of peanut butter contains 7 grams of protein (21.9 g per 100 g), which makes it a good source of protein. That covers roughly 14% of the 50 g reference Daily Value, so it adds toward your protein total for the day.
Around 15% of the calories in peanut butter 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 54 legumes in the database, peanut butter ranks 45th by protein per serving, and 378th out of all 796 foods on the site. Set against refried beans, another legume entry in the database, a serving carries about 0.6 g more protein (refried beans has 6.4 g per 1/2 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 32 g. The per-100 g figure lets you compare it directly against any other food here, whatever its serving.
Source: USDA FoodData Central #174294 - "Peanut Butter, smooth (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program)" (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
Peanut butter has 21.9 g of protein per 100 g. A typical 2 tbsp serving (32 g) provides 7 g.
No. Peanut butter 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 2 tbsp serving of peanut butter contains 7 g of protein, about 14% of the 50 g reference Daily Value.
Peanut butter 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 refried beans, another legume entry in the database, a serving carries about 0.6 g more protein (refried beans has 6.4 g per 1/2 cup).
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