Calories in Beans, kidney, red

127 calories per 100g (100g)

Red kidney beans (cooked, boiled with salt) contain 127 calories per 100 grams. A typical half-cup serving (about 89g) delivers roughly 113 calories, making them a nutrient-dense, relatively low-calorie source of plant protein and fiber. With nearly 9g of protein and 7.4g of fiber per 100g, they're one of the most satisfying legumes you can add to a meal.

Calories by Portion Size

PortionWeightCalories
1 tbsp (approx.)15g19
¼ cup44g56
½ cup89g113
100g (USDA base serving)100g127
¾ cup133g169
1 cup177g225
1½ cups266g338

Protein

8.67g

27% of calories

Carbs

22.8g

72% of calories

Fat

0.5g

4% of calories

How does this compare?

Red kidney beans are comparable in calories to black beans (~132 cal/100g) and pinto beans (~143 cal/100g), sitting on the lower end of the cooked legume spectrum. Their combination of high fiber and protein per calorie makes them particularly filling relative to other foods in the Legumes and Legume Products category.

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Tips

  • 1.

    Use a half-cup (≈113 calories) as your base portion — it delivers a full 7–8g each of protein and fiber, which helps curb hunger and reduces the urge to overeat the rest of your meal.

  • 2.

    Swap red kidney beans for meat in dishes like chili or tacos to significantly cut calories and saturated fat while keeping protein high.

  • 3.

    Watch add-ons: the beans themselves are low in fat (0.5g/100g), but cooking them in oil, lard, or heavy sauces can double the calorie count of a dish quickly.

  • 4.

    Rinse and measure cooked beans before adding them to recipes — it's easy to underestimate portion size when scooping directly from a can or pot, leading to unintentional calorie creep.

  • 5.

    Pair kidney beans with a non-starchy vegetable like spinach or bell peppers to build a high-volume, low-calorie meal that keeps total calories in check.

Common Questions About Calories in Beans, kidney, red

How many calories are in a cup of cooked red kidney beans?

One cup of cooked red kidney beans (approximately 177g) contains about 225 calories, based on USDA data of 127 calories per 100g.

Are red kidney beans good for weight loss?

Red kidney beans are a strong choice for calorie-conscious eating — at 127 cal/100g with 8.67g of protein and 7.4g of fiber, they promote fullness without a high calorie cost. No food alone causes weight loss, but their nutrient density makes them easy to fit into a reduced-calorie diet.

How many calories are in a half cup of red kidney beans?

A half-cup serving of cooked red kidney beans (about 89g) contains approximately 113 calories.

Do canned red kidney beans have the same calories as boiled?

Canned red kidney beans (drained and rinsed) have a very similar calorie count — typically 120–130 calories per 100g — making them a nutritionally comparable and convenient alternative to home-boiled beans.

More Calorie Counts