Beef vs. Ricotta Cheese

Nutrition comparison of Cooked Beef and Ricotta Cheese


Ever wonder how your favorite foods stack up against each other in terms of nutrition?

We compared the nutritional contents of cooked beef versus ricotta cheese (100g each) below using 2020 USDA and NIH data[1].

For a quick recap of significant nutrients and differences in beef and ricotta cheese:

  • Both beef and ricotta cheese are high in calories, potassium and saturated fat.
  • Beef has more thiamin, niacin, Vitamin B6, folate and Vitamin B12.
  • Beef is a great source of iron.
  • Beef is an excellent source of protein.
  • Ricotta cheese has 71% less trans fat than beef.
  • Ricotta cheese is a great source of Vitamin A.
  • Ricotta cheese is an excellent source of calcium.
Detailed nutritional comparison of beef and ricotta cheese is analyzed below. You can also visualize the nutritional comparison for a custom portion or serving size and see how the nutrition compares.

USDA sources for nutritional information: Beef (Beef, ground, 70% lean meat / 30% fat, patty, cooked, broiled) and Ricotta Cheese (Cheese, ricotta, whole milk) . Have a correction or suggestions? Shoot us an email.


Image of Beef src
Image of Ricotta Cheese src

Calories and Carbs

calories

Both beef and ricotta cheese are high in calories. Beef has 85% more calories than ricotta cheese - beef has 277 calories per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 150 calories.

For macronutrient ratios, beef is heavier in protein, lighter in carbs and similar to ricotta cheese for fat. Beef has a macronutrient ratio of 38:0:62 and for ricotta cheese, 20:19:61 for protein, carbohydrates and fat from calories.

Macro Ratios from Calories:

Beef Ricotta Cheese
Protein 38% 20%
Carbohydrates ~ 19%
Fat 62% 61%
Alcohol ~ ~

carbohydrates

Beef has less carbohydrates than ricotta cheese - ricotta cheese has 7.3g of total carbs per 100 grams and beef does not contain significant amounts.

sugar

Ricotta cheese and beef contain similar amounts of sugar - ricotta cheese has 0.27g of sugar per 100 grams and beef does not contain significant amounts.

Protein

protein

Beef is an excellent source of protein and it has 237% more protein than ricotta cheese - beef has 25.4g of protein per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 7.5g of protein.

Fat

saturated fat

Both beef and ricotta cheese are high in saturated fat. Beef has 14% more saturated fat than ricotta cheese - beef has 7.3g of saturated fat per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 6.4g of saturated fat.

trans fat

Ricotta cheese has 71% less trans fat than beef - beef has 1.2g of trans fat per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 0.33g of trans fat.

cholesterol

Ricotta cheese has 44% less cholesterol than beef - beef has 88mg of cholesterol per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 49mg of cholesterol.

Vitamins

Vitamin A

Ricotta cheese is a great source of Vitamin A and it has 39 times more Vitamin A than beef - beef has 3ug of Vitamin A per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 120ug of Vitamin A.

Vitamin D

Beef and ricotta cheese contain similar amounts of Vitamin D - beef has 2iu of Vitamin D per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 10iu of Vitamin D.

Vitamin E

Beef and ricotta cheese contain similar amounts of Vitamin E - beef has 0.12mg of Vitamin E per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 0.11mg of Vitamin E.

Vitamin K

Beef and ricotta cheese contain similar amounts of Vitamin K - beef has 3ug of Vitamin K per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 1.1ug of Vitamin K.

The B Vitamins

Beef has more thiamin, niacin, Vitamin B6, folate and Vitamin B12. Both beef and ricotta cheese contain significant amounts of riboflavin and pantothenic acid.

Beef Ricotta Cheese
Thiamin 0.051 MG 0.013 MG
Riboflavin 0.176 MG 0.298 MG
Niacin 4.537 MG 0.137 MG
Pantothenic acid 0.658 MG 0.461 MG
Vitamin B6 0.336 MG 0.097 MG
Folate 11 UG 4 UG
Vitamin B12 2.9 UG 0.85 UG

Minerals

calcium

Ricotta cheese is an excellent source of calcium and it has 489% more calcium than beef - beef has 35mg of calcium per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 206mg of calcium.

iron

Beef is a great source of iron and it has 16 times more iron than ricotta cheese - beef has 2.3mg of iron per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 0.13mg of iron.

potassium

Both beef and ricotta cheese are high in potassium. Beef has 26% more potassium than ricotta cheese - beef has 275mg of potassium per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 219mg of potassium.

Omega-3 and Omega-6

omega 3s

For omega-3 fatty acids, both beef and ricotta cheese contain significant amounts of alpha linoleic acid (ALA).

Beef Ricotta Cheese
alpha linoleic acid 0.056 G 0.043 G
DHA ~ 0.001 G
EPA ~ 0.004 G
DPA ~ 0.006 G
Total 0.056 G 0.054 G

omega 6s

Comparing omega-6 fatty acids, both beef and ricotta cheese contain significant amounts of linoleic acid.

Beef Ricotta Cheese
other omega 6 ~ 0.012 G
linoleic acid 0.39 G 0.356 G
Total 0.39 G 0.368 G



Customize your serving size


The comparison below is by weight, but sometimes 100g isn't that intuitive of a measurement for food. View a custom portion comparison (e.g. cups, oz, package).

You can try adding or subtracting the amount of either Beef or Ricotta Cheese .

Note: The specific food items compared are: Beef (Beef, ground, 70% lean meat / 30% fat, patty, cooked, broiled) and Ricotta Cheese (Cheese, ricotta, whole milk) .

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FAQ

Does beef or ricotta cheese contain more calories in 100 grams?
Both beef and ricotta cheese are high in calories. Beef has 90% more calories than ricotta cheese - beef has 277 calories in 100g and ricotta cheese has 150 calories.

Is beef or ricotta cheese better for protein?
Beef is a fantastic source of protein and it has 240% more protein than ricotta cheese - beef has 25.4g of protein per 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 7.5g of protein.

Does beef or ricotta cheese contain more calcium?
Ricotta cheese is a rich source of calcium and it has 490% more calcium than beef - beef has 35mg of calcium in 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 206mg of calcium.

Does beef or ricotta cheese contain more potassium?
Both beef and ricotta cheese are high in potassium. Beef has 30% more potassium than ricotta cheese - beef has 275mg of potassium in 100 grams and ricotta cheese has 219mg of potassium.