Head-to-head comparison

Peanut Butter (natural) vs Pinto Beans (cooked): Which Has More Protein?

Peanut Butter (natural) and Pinto Beans (cooked) show up in a lot of the same meal-planning conversations, and the honest comparison depends on which specific number you're optimizing for.

Peanut Butter (natural)

25.1gprotein / 100g

588 cal · 50.4g fat · $ · Quality 0.52

Pinto Beans (cooked)

9.0gprotein / 100g

143 cal · 0.7g fat · $ · Quality 0.6

This isn't close. Peanut Butter (natural) packs 25.1g of protein per 100g against Pinto Beans (cooked)'s 9.0g — a 16.1g gap driven mostly by how concentrated or diluted each food naturally is.

Pinto Beans (cooked) pulls ahead on protein quality specifically (incomplete on its own — low in methionine, pairs well with grains), even in categories where Peanut Butter (natural) wins on raw grams.

Cost is roughly comparable between the two ($), so budget isn't the deciding factor here.

Peanut Butter (natural)'s typical serving also delivers more leucine (1650mg vs Pinto Beans (cooked)'s 640mg) — relevant if the goal is maximizing the muscle-protein-synthesis trigger per meal, not just total grams.

Verdict

If raw protein density is what you're optimizing for, Peanut Butter (natural) wins clearly. Choose Pinto Beans (cooked) instead if its lower fat, cost, or prep time matters more to you than the extra grams.

Full nutrition comparison

Per 100gPeanut Butter (natural)Pinto Beans (cooked)
Protein25.1g9.0g
Calories588143
Fat50.4g0.7g
Carbs20.0g26.2g
Fiber6.0g9.0g
Quality score0.520.6
Relative cost$$
Prep time0 min90 min

Frequently asked

Which has more protein, peanut butter (natural) or pinto beans (cooked)?

Peanut Butter (natural) has 25.1g of protein per 100g compared to Pinto Beans (cooked)'s 9.0g.

Which is lower in calories?

Pinto Beans (cooked) is lower in calories per 100g, at 143 vs the other's 588.