Pinto Beans (cooked)
9.0gprotein / 100g143 cal · 0.7g fat · $ · Quality 0.6
Quinoa (cooked)
4.4gprotein / 100g120 cal · 1.9g fat · $$ · Quality 0.85
There's a meaningful protein-density gap here: Pinto Beans (cooked) runs 9.0g per 100g against Quinoa (cooked)'s 4.4g, roughly 4.6g more per equal weight.
Quality flips the other way, though: Quinoa (cooked) has the stronger amino acid profile (one of the few complete-protein grains (technically a seed)) versus Pinto Beans (cooked)'s incomplete on its own — low in methionine, pairs well with grains.
Budget-wise, Pinto Beans (cooked) runs meaningfully cheaper per typical serving ($) than Quinoa (cooked) ($$).
Pinto Beans (cooked)'s typical serving also delivers more leucine (640mg vs Quinoa (cooked)'s 350mg) — relevant if the goal is maximizing the muscle-protein-synthesis trigger per meal, not just total grams.
Protein quality is the real differentiator here: Quinoa (cooked)'s stronger amino acid profile gives it a genuine edge for muscle-building purposes, even with similar gram counts.
Full nutrition comparison
| Per 100g | Pinto Beans (cooked) | Quinoa (cooked) |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 9.0g | 4.4g |
| Calories | 143 | 120 |
| Fat | 0.7g | 1.9g |
| Carbs | 26.2g | 21.3g |
| Fiber | 9.0g | 2.8g |
| Quality score | 0.6 | 0.85 |
| Relative cost | $ | $$ |
| Prep time | 90 min | 20 min |
Frequently asked
Which has more protein, pinto beans (cooked) or quinoa (cooked)?
Pinto Beans (cooked) has 9.0g of protein per 100g compared to Quinoa (cooked)'s 4.4g.
Which is lower in calories?
Quinoa (cooked) is lower in calories per 100g, at 120 vs the other's 143.