Food database · Legumes & beans
Protein content
6.4 g of protein in 1/2 cup (121 g) of refried beans, or 6.4 g for every 100 kcal it supplies.
Share of this food's calories that come from protein - it is moderately protein-dense.
| Protein per 100 kcal | 6.4 g |
|---|---|
| Protein per 100 g | 5.28 g |
| Protein per serving | 6.4 g in 1/2 cup (121 g) |
| Calories from protein | 25% |
| Protein to fat | 6.1 g per 1 g fat |
| Rank in legumes, per 100 kcal | 23rd of 54 |
| Rank of all foods, per 100 g | 559th of 796 |
| Share of 50 g Daily Value | 13% per serving |
| Protein quality | Incomplete protein |
One 1/2 cup, 6.4 g protein.
Every 100 kcal of refried beans brings 6.4 g of protein. On that measure it ranks 23rd of the 54 legumes in this database and 388th of all 796 foods on the site. Measured by weight instead, its 5.28 g per 100 g ranks 49th in its group.
Around 25% of the calories in 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.
Weight for weight, refried beans has 6.1 g of protein for each gram of fat (5.28 g against 0.87 g per 100 g).
Set against sprouted lentils, another legume entry in the database, a serving carries about 0.5 g less protein (sprouted lentils has 6.9 g per 1 cup raw).
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 quoted here is measured by volume at 121 g, and it covers about 13% of the 50 g FDA Daily Value for protein.
Serving sizes
| Portion | Weight | Protein | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 g | 100 g | 5.28 g | 83 kcal |
| 1/2 cup (serving used here) | 121 g | 6.4 g | 100 kcal |
| 1 cup | 242 g | 12.8 g | 201 kcal |
| 1 can | 444 g | 23.4 g | 369 kcal |
Portion weights are the household measures listed on the USDA record; protein and calories scale from the per-100 g figures.
Related
Highest-protein legumes per serving · Most protein-dense foods · Highest protein per 100 g
Quick answers
5.28 g. The 1/2 cup serving used on this page weighs 121 g and so carries 6.4 g.
6.4 g. That figure divides its 5.28 g of protein per 100 g by its 83 kcal per 100 g, so it does not depend on serving size.
No. On its own, the protein in refried beans is short of at least one essential amino acid; other protein sources across the day fill the gap.
About 13%. One 1/2 cup serving has 6.4 g, and the FDA Daily Value for protein is 50 g.
Figures from USDA FoodData Central record #174296 (Refried beans, canned, vegetarian), SR Legacy data. USDA data is in the public domain. Values are the published reference figures for that record, not lab measurements for a specific brand or batch.