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Beef Mince vs Chicken Thigh: Calories Compared
Chicken Thigh is lower in calories (179 vs 254 per 100g). Beef Mince has 17.2g protein per 100g versus 24.8g in Chicken Thigh.
Per typical serving, Beef Mince provides 254 kcal (based on a 100g portion) versus Chicken Thigh at 208 kcal (116g). The average adult needs around 2,000 calories per day, so beef mince contributes 12.7% and chicken thigh contributes 10.4% of that daily target per serving. Getting these numbers right for your own portions starts with a digital kitchen scale.
Full nutrition comparison (per 100g)
| Nutrient | Beef Mince | Chicken Thigh |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 254 kcal | 179 kcal |
| Protein | 17.2g | 24.8g |
| Carbohydrates | 0g | 0g |
| of which Sugars | 0g | 0g |
| Fat | 20g | 8.2g |
| of which Saturates | 7.6g | 2.3g |
| Fibre | 0g | 0g |
| Sodium | 66mg | 106mg |
| Potassium | 270mg | 269mg |
| Calcium | 18mg | 9mg |
| Iron | 1.9mg | 1.1mg |
| Vitamin C | 0mg | 0mg |
| Vitamin A | 4µg | 8µg |
| Selenium | 15µg | 27µg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.2mg | 0.2mg |
Nutrient-by-nutrient breakdown
- Calories: Beef Mince has more (254kcal vs 179kcal per 100g) — a difference of 75kcal. Chicken Thigh is the lower-calories option if that is your priority.
- Protein: Chicken Thigh has more (24.8g vs 17.2g per 100g) — a difference of 7.6g. Chicken Thigh is the stronger source of protein here.
- Carbohydrates: both foods contain the same amount (0g per 100g).
- Sugars: both foods contain the same amount (0g per 100g).
- Fat: Beef Mince has more (20g vs 8.2g per 100g) — a difference of 11.8g. Chicken Thigh is the lower-fat option if that is your priority.
- Saturated fat: Beef Mince has more (7.6g vs 2.3g per 100g) — a difference of 5.3g. Chicken Thigh is the lower-saturated fat option if that is your priority.
- Fibre: both foods contain the same amount (0g per 100g).
- Sodium: Chicken Thigh has more (106mg vs 66mg per 100g) — a difference of 40mg. Beef Mince is the lower-sodium option if that is your priority.
- Potassium: Beef Mince has more (270mg vs 269mg per 100g) — a difference of 1mg. Beef Mince is the stronger source of potassium here.
- Calcium: Beef Mince has more (18mg vs 9mg per 100g) — a difference of 9mg. Beef Mince is the stronger source of calcium here.
- Iron: Beef Mince has more (2mg vs 1mg per 100g) — a difference of 1mg. Beef Mince is the stronger source of iron here.
- Vitamin c: both foods contain the same amount (0mg per 100g).
- Vitamin a: Chicken Thigh has more (8µg vs 4µg per 100g) — a difference of 4µg. Chicken Thigh is the stronger source of vitamin A here.
- Selenium: Chicken Thigh has more (27µg vs 15µg per 100g) — a difference of 12µg. Chicken Thigh is the stronger source of selenium here.
- Riboflavin (b2): both foods contain the same amount (0mg per 100g).
Live serving-size calculator
Enter any amount for each food — every figure below recalculates instantly, with % of daily value shown for each nutrient (based on a standard 2,000-calorie reference diet).
| Nutrient | Beef Mince | % DV | Chicken Thigh | % DV |
|---|
* % Daily Value based on a 2,000-calorie reference diet, the same basis used on nutrition labels in the US and UK. Figures update live as you change the amounts above — no page reload.
Substituting one for the other
When substituting one protein source for another, cooking time and method may need adjusting — leaner cuts cook faster and can dry out more easily than fattier ones.
Useful for comparing these foods
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Which should you choose?
If your priority is fewer calories, Chicken Thigh is the lower-calorie option at 179 kcal per 100g. If you need more protein, Chicken Thigh provides more at 24.8g per 100g. For lower carbohydrates, Beef Mince has fewer carbs at 0g per 100g.
Both beef mince and chicken thigh can form part of a healthy, balanced diet. The best choice depends on your individual goals — whether that is weight management, muscle building, or simply hitting your daily nutritional targets. A meal prep container set makes it easy to portion whichever you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has more calories, Beef Mince or Chicken Thigh?
Beef Mince has 254 calories per 100g while Chicken Thigh has 179 calories per 100g. Beef Mince is higher in calories by 75 kcal per 100g.
Which has more protein, Beef Mince or Chicken Thigh?
Beef Mince contains 17.2g of protein per 100g. Chicken Thigh contains 24.8g of protein per 100g. Chicken Thigh has more protein.
Is Beef Mince healthier than Chicken Thigh?
Beef Mince has 254 kcal, 17.2g protein, 0g carbs and 20g fat per 100g. Chicken Thigh has 179 kcal, 24.8g protein, 0g carbs and 8.2g fat per 100g. Which is healthier depends on your goals — higher protein, lower calorie and lower fat foods are generally preferred for weight management.
Which has more fibre, Beef Mince or Chicken Thigh?
Beef Mince contains 0g of fibre per 100g, and Chicken Thigh contains 0g per 100g. Beef Mince has more fibre. Fibre supports digestion and helps with feeling fuller for longer.
How many calories per serving — Beef Mince vs Chicken Thigh?
A typical 100g serving of beef mince (100g) is around 254 calories. A typical 1 thigh of chicken thigh (116g) is around 208 calories — a difference of 46 kcal per serving in favour of chicken thigh.
Can I substitute Beef Mince for Chicken Thigh in recipes?
When substituting one protein source for another, cooking time and method may need adjusting — leaner cuts cook faster and can dry out more easily than fattier ones.
Track both accurately
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Figures per 100g from the USDA FoodData Central database (CC0 1.0).