How Many Calories Are In A Slice Of Roast Beef?

Roast beef is a classic and delicious meat that is commonly enjoyed in sandwiches, salads, and as part of various meals. When monitoring your calorie intake, it’s important to understand how many calories are contained in a slice of roast beef. In this article, we will provide a detailed breakdown of the calorie and nutritional profile of different cuts and serving sizes of roast beef to help you make informed dietary choices.

Calorie Profile of Roast Beef

The calorie content in roast beef can vary significantly depending on factors like

• Cut of meat – Fattier cuts like ribeye or prime rib have higher calories than leaner cuts like eye of round.

• Portion size – Larger portions or thicker slices contain more calories

• Cooking method – Frying or braising in oil adds more calories than roasting or grilling.

• Added ingredients – Condiments, gravies, and preparationstyles impact total calories.

Despite some variability, here are typical calorie figures for common serving sizes of roast beef:

• 2 thin slices (56g): 112 calories
• 1 medium slice (85g): 151 calories
• 100g: 170 calories
• 1 thick slice (113g): 168 calories
• 1 cup, diced (140g): 239 calories

As a guideline, a 3-ounce cooked serving of lean roast beef contains about 164 calories, while the same portion of fattier prime rib supplies 211 calories.

Calorie Breakdown

In addition to total calories, understanding the nutritional breakdown of roast beef is helpful. The macros of roast beef per 3-ounce serving are:

• Protein: 22g
• Fat: 6g
• Carbs: 0g

So roast beef is high in protein, with most calories coming from a mix of protein and fats. It contains no carbohydrates. The protein content makes it quite filling.

Calories In Specific Cuts of Roast Beef

Calorie content can vary significantly among different cuts of roast beef. Here is the calorie count for some popular options per 3-ounce serving:

• Eye of round: 164 calories
• Top round: 170 calories
• Bottom round: 180 calories
• Tri-tip: 184 calories
• Sirloin: 194 calories
• Prime rib: 211 calories
• Ribeye: 289 calories

Eye of round is the leanest option, while ribeye steak contains the most calories and fat. Choosing lean cuts can help manage your calorie intake.

Calorie Density of Roast Beef

Calorie density looks at the number of calories per gram of food. Meats higher in fat tend to be more calorie-dense. Here are calorie density figures for common roast beef cuts:

• Eye of round: 1.8 calories/g
• Top round: 2.0 calories/g
• Sirloin: 2.3 calories/g
• Prime rib: 2.6 calories/g
• Ribeye steak: 3.2 calories/g

Ribeye is the most calorie-dense at 3.2 calories per gram. Comparatively, tenderloin steak has a calorie density of 2.0 calories/g. Choosing leaner cuts can reduce the calorie concentration.

Factors That Impact Roast Beef Calories

Several factors influence the calories and nutritional profile of roast beef:

• Cut of meat – Fattier cuts have higher calorie counts. Leaner cuts are lower in calories.

• Portion size – Larger or thicker portion sizes mean more calories. Stick to recommended 3-4 oz servings.

• Cooking method – Frying, braising in oil, or glazing with sugary sauces adds calories versus roasting, grilling, or broiling.

• Added ingredients – Cheese, gravy, au jus, butter, or condiments increase overall calories.

• Degree of doneness – The more well-done, the greater loss of moisture and calories per ounce. Medium rare has fewer calories.

• Brands/products – Pre-packaged, processed roast beef often has more sodium, preservatives, and calories versus freshly prepared.

Calorie Differences in Roast Beef Types

There can be some variation in calories between different forms of roast beef:

• Sliced roast beef – 56 calories in 1 thin slice; 112 calories in 2 thin slices. Higher protein than fat.

• Canned roast beef – 130 calories in 1⁄2 cup. More sodium than fresh.

• Corned beef – 191 calories in 3 ounces. Contains nitrites.

• Roast beef lunch meat – 50 calories in 1 slice. High in sodium.

• Roast beef dip – 132 calories in 1⁄4 cup. Higher in fat than sliced.

• Deli roast beef – Around 50 calories per 1-ounce slice.

Pre-packaged, processed options tend to be higher in calories, fat, and sodium than freshly prepared roast beef. Check labels for nutrition facts.

Ways to Reduce Roast Beef Calories

If you’re looking to reduce the calorie count of roast beef, consider these tips:

• Choose leaner cuts like eye round, top round, or bottom round.

• Portion thinner, smaller slices rather than thick slabs.

• Opt for roasting, grilling, or broiling instead of frying in oil.

• Avoid adding high-calorie sauces, gravies, or cheese.

• Season with spices, herbs, mustard instead of sugary glazes or butter.

• Select low-sodium, preservative-free lunchmeat when possible.

• Pair roast beef with non-starchy vegetables vs. starchy sides.

• Eat roast beef as part of a veggie-packed salad instead of a sandwich.

Typical Roast Beef Calories per Serving

To recap typical calorie values for common roast beef serving sizes:

• 2 thin slices: 112 calories
• 1 medium slice: 151 calories
• 1 thick slice: 168 calories
• 1 oz cooked: 64 calories
• 3 oz cooked: 164-211 calories
• 100g: 170 calories
• 4 oz raw: 303 calories

Use these figures as a guide, and check labels to verify calories for specific products. Selecting leaner cuts, controlling portions, minimizing add-ons, and using healthy cooking methods are good ways to lighten up roast beef. Pair it with non-starchy vegetables and eat as part of a balanced diet. With some awareness, you can enjoy roast beef while still managing your daily calorie goals.

Table of Nutritional Information