Head-to-head comparison

Pork Tenderloin vs Edamame (shelled, cooked): Which Has More Protein?

Pork Tenderloin and Edamame (shelled, 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.

Pork Tenderloin

26.0gprotein / 100g

143 cal · 3.5g fat · $$ · Quality 0.92

Edamame (shelled, cooked)

11.2gprotein / 100g

121 cal · 5.2g fat · $$ · Quality 0.85

This isn't close. Pork Tenderloin packs 26.0g of protein per 100g against Edamame (shelled, cooked)'s 11.2g — a 14.8g gap driven mostly by how concentrated or diluted each food naturally is.

On protein quality specifically, Pork Tenderloin scores higher — high-DIAAS complete animal protein — compared to Edamame (shelled, cooked), which is DIAAS-adjusted, complete plant protein.

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

If you're eating plant-based, this comparison is moot — Edamame (shelled, cooked) fits, Pork Tenderloin doesn't.

Pork Tenderloin's typical serving also delivers more leucine (2100mg vs Edamame (shelled, cooked)'s 900mg) — 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 Edamame (shelled, cooked) if you need it to be plant-based, choose Pork Tenderloin otherwise — the protein numbers are close enough that diet compatibility should lead.

Full nutrition comparison

Per 100gPork TenderloinEdamame (shelled, cooked)
Protein26.0g11.2g
Calories143121
Fat3.5g5.2g
Carbs0.0g8.9g
Fiber0.0g5.2g
Quality score0.920.85
Relative cost$$$$
Prep time25 min6 min

Frequently asked

Which has more protein, pork tenderloin or edamame (shelled, cooked)?

Pork Tenderloin has 26.0g of protein per 100g compared to Edamame (shelled, cooked)'s 11.2g.

Which is lower in calories?

Edamame (shelled, cooked) is lower in calories per 100g, at 121 vs the other's 143.