Head-to-head comparison

Duck Breast (skinless) vs Tempeh: Which Has More Protein?

On paper, Duck Breast (skinless) and Tempeh solve a similar problem — protein intake — but they get there differently enough to be worth a direct look.

Duck Breast (skinless)

27.0gprotein / 100g

201 cal · 11.2g fat · $$$ · Quality 0.91

Tempeh

19.0gprotein / 100g

192 cal · 11.0g fat · $$ · Quality 0.85

Duck Breast (skinless) delivers a clearly higher protein density than Tempeh — 27.0g vs 19.0g per 100g, a gap of 8.0g that adds up fast across multiple servings.

On protein quality specifically, Duck Breast (skinless) scores higher — lit_estimate, complete animal protein — compared to Tempeh, which is DIAAS-adjusted, complete plant protein.

Tempeh is the more budget-friendly pick ($$ vs $$$ for Duck Breast (skinless)), worth weighing if cost matters more than the other differences here.

If you're eating plant-based, this comparison is moot — Tempeh fits, Duck Breast (skinless) doesn't.

Duck Breast (skinless)'s typical serving also delivers more leucine (2050mg vs Tempeh's 1450mg) — relevant if the goal is maximizing the muscle-protein-synthesis trigger per meal, not just total grams.

Verdict

The real deciding factor is dietary fit, not macros: choose Tempeh if you need it to be plant-based, choose Duck Breast (skinless) otherwise — the protein numbers are close enough that diet compatibility should lead.

Full nutrition comparison

Per 100gDuck Breast (skinless)Tempeh
Protein27.0g19.0g
Calories201192
Fat11.2g11.0g
Carbs0.0g9.4g
Fiber0.0g9.0g
Quality score0.910.85
Relative cost$$$$$
Prep time15 min15 min

Frequently asked

Which has more protein, duck breast (skinless) or tempeh?

Duck Breast (skinless) has 27.0g of protein per 100g compared to Tempeh's 19.0g.

Which is lower in calories?

Tempeh is lower in calories per 100g, at 192 vs the other's 201.