How Many Calories Are in a Pound of Beef? A Detailed Look at Beef Nutrition

Beef is a staple food for many people around the world. Its rich, meaty flavor makes it a satisfying addition to many dishes. But with concerns about health and weight gain, many people wonder – just how many calories are in a pound of beef?

In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the calorie and nutrition facts for different cuts and types of beef We’ll break down how many calories are in a pound of ground beef, sirloin steak, ribeye, and more We’ll also discuss how beef fits into a healthy diet.

Total Calories in 1 Pound of Beef

The total calories in a pound of beef can vary significantly depending on the leanness of the cut Here are some typical calorie counts for popular 1 pound beef cuts

• Ground beef (80% lean/20% fat): 1152 calories
• Ground beef (85% lean/15% fat): 1028 calories
• Sirloin steak: 480 calories
• Top sirloin: 560 calories
• T-bone steak: 680 calories
• Ribeye steak: 960 calories
• Brisket: 1120 calories
• Roast beef: 640 calories

As you can see, fattier cuts of beef like ground beef, ribeye, and brisket pack the most calories per pound. The leanest cuts of beef like sirloin have closer to 500 calories in a pound.

Below, we’ll take a closer look at the nutrition facts for different types of ground beef and steaks.

Calories in Ground Beef

Ground beef is one of the most common types of beef and can have a wide range of fat content. This affects the calorie count significantly.

Ground Beef 80/20

The typical grocery store ground beef is 80% lean and 20% fat.

• 1 pound of 80/20 ground beef contains 1152 calories.
• Other nutrition facts:
  • Total fat: 90.72g
  • Saturated fat: 34.8g
  • Cholesterol: 322mg
  • Sodium: 304mg
  • Protein: 77.88g

As you can see, one pound of 80/20 ground beef packs over 1000 calories and 90 grams of fat – most from unhealthy saturated fat

Ground Beef 85/15

The 85/15 blend has slightly less fat.

• 1 pound of 85/15 ground beef contains 1028 calories.
• Other nutrition facts:
  • Total fat: 81.31g
  • Saturated fat: 31.22g
  • Cholesterol: 284mg
  • Sodium: 304mg
  • Protein: 77.14g

While lower in fat than 80/20, 85/15 ground beef still contains over 1000 calories per pound.

Ground Beef 90/10 and 95/5

The 90/10 and 95/5 blends have the least fat and calories:

• 1 pound of 90/10 ground beef contains 888 calories.
• 1 pound of 95/5 extra lean ground beef contains 760 calories.

These leaner blends provide all the flavor of ground beef in a less calorie-dense package.

Calories in Beef Steaks

Steak cuts also vary in fat content, which affects their calorie counts.

Sirloin Steak

This lean cut is one of the lowest calorie steaks.

• 1 pound of sirloin steak contains 480 calories.
• Other nutrition facts:
  • Total fat: 24g
  • Saturated fat: 9g
  • Cholesterol: 140mg
  • Sodium: 170mg
  • Protein: 60g

With less marbling, sirloin provides great lean protein.

Ribeye Steak

Known for its rich marbling, ribeye is higher in fat and calories than sirloin.

• 1 pound of ribeye contains 960 calories.
• Other nutrition facts:
  • Total fat: 69g
  • Saturated fat: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 285mg
  • Sodium: 160mg
  • Protein: 80g

While delicious, ribeye steak packs nearly 1000 calories per pound.

T-Bone Steak

This classic steak has a tenderloin on one side and strip steak on the other.

• 1 pound of t-bone steak contains 680 calories.
• Other nutrition facts:
  • Total fat: 35g
  • Saturated fat: 14g
  • Cholesterol: 180mg
  • Sodium: 170mg
  • Protein: 87g

With a good amount of fat marbling, t-bone steaks are moderately high in calories.

Top Sirloin Steak

This budget-friendly cut is leaner than ribeye or t-bone.

• 1 pound of top sirloin contains 560 calories.
• Other nutrition facts:
  • Total fat: 28g
  • Saturated fat: 11g
  • Cholesterol: 140mg
  • Sodium: 170mg
  • Protein: 74g

Top sirloin provides great lean protein for fewer calories than fattier cuts.

Healthiest Beef Cuts

If you’re watching your calories or fat intake, here are some of the leanest beef cut options:

• Top sirloin – 156 calories in 3 ounces
• Bottom round roast/steak – 148 calories in 3 ounces
• Top round roast/steak – 142 calories in 3 ounces
• Eye of round roast/steak – 138 calories in 3 ounces
• Sirloin tip roast/steak – 120 calories in 3 ounces
• Ground beef 95/5 – 190 calories in 3 ounces

These lean cuts provide plenty of protein, iron, zinc, and B-vitamins with less saturated fat and calories.

Is Beef Healthy?

Despite its high protein and nutrient content, beef has drawbacks when eaten in excess. Beef contains high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol, which have been linked to heart disease and other health issues.

However, lean cuts of beef can have a place in a healthy diet when eaten in moderation. The American Heart Association recommends limiting unprocessed red meat to 1-2 servings per week. This equals about 12 ounces or 3/4 pound.

Choosing lean cuts over prime rib or ground beef can allow you to enjoy the flavor of beef while reducing your saturated fat, cholesterol, and calorie intake. Be sure to pair beef with vegetable side dishes to balance your meal.

The Bottom Line

So how many calories in a pound of beef? The answer can range from 500-1200+ calories depending on the cut. Fattier cuts like brisket, ribeye, and 80/20 ground beef contain the most calories, while lean options like sirloin, 95/5 ground beef, and top round have closer to 500 calories per pound.

When choosing beef, opt for leaner cuts and reasonable portion sizes. This allows you to enjoy the delicious taste of beef while avoiding excess calories, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Use the nutrition information in this article as a helpful guide to picking the healthiest options. With some mindfulness, beef can be included as part of an overall balanced diet.