A protein per dollar ranking shows you which foods deliver the most grams of protein for your money. Compare 25+ protein sources across meat, dairy, plant-based, and supplements — and customize prices to match your local store.
| # | Food | Protein | Price | g/$ |
|---|
Click any price to edit it for your local store — rankings update instantly
How to Use the Protein Per Dollar Ranking
Finding the best protein per dollar helps you build a high-protein diet without overspending. The default database includes 25+ common protein foods with US average prices, but you can edit any price to match your local store.
Reading the Rankings
The "g/$" column is the key metric — it tells you how many grams of protein you get for every dollar spent. Canned tuna at $1.50/can (26g protein) gives you about 17g/$. Whey protein powder at $0.75/scoop (24g) gives 32g/$, making it one of the best values. Beef tenderloin at $12-15/lb gives only 3-5g/$.
Updating Prices
Click any price in the table to edit it. If chicken breast is on sale at $2.99/lb instead of $4.99, update the price and the ranking adjusts immediately. This makes the tool accurate for your actual shopping situation.
Beyond Cost: Completeness Matters
Protein per dollar is one dimension. Consider also: complete amino acid profiles (animal proteins beat plant proteins here), digestibility, and whether you prefer whole foods vs. supplements. A mixed strategy — eggs and lentils for daily eating, whey shakes for convenience — often gives the best value and nutritional profile.
FAQ
What is the cheapest protein per dollar?
Canned tuna and eggs consistently rank among the best protein per dollar, typically delivering 15-25g of protein per dollar. Dried lentils are often the top value at $0.10-0.15 per 10g protein. Whey protein powder is also excellent value at around 25-30g protein per dollar at bulk prices.
Is whey protein powder cost-effective?
Yes — quality whey protein typically delivers 20-30g of protein per dollar, making it one of the best protein values available. A 5-pound bag at $50 provides about 70+ servings of 25g protein each. This beats chicken breast and most meats on a pure protein-per-dollar basis.
What is the best plant-based protein per dollar?
Dried lentils are typically the #1 plant protein value at about $1.50-2 per pound, delivering 16-18g protein per 100g dry weight. Chickpeas and black beans are close runners-up. Tofu provides a complete amino acid profile at about $2 per 14oz block with 8-9g protein per 100g.
How accurate are the default prices?
Default prices are US national averages as of 2025-2026. Your local prices may differ. You can edit any food's price to reflect what you actually pay at your grocery store — the ranking updates instantly.
Is this tool free?
Yes, completely free. No signup required. All calculations run in your browser with no data sent anywhere.
Does protein quality matter, not just quantity?
Yes — not all protein is equal. Animal proteins (meat, dairy, eggs) are complete proteins with all essential amino acids. Plant proteins often lack one or more essential amino acids. However, combining complementary plant foods (rice + beans, for example) achieves complete protein coverage.