Turkey is a popular meat, especially during festive seasons like Christmas and Thanksgiving. It’s a good source of protein and contains various nutrients, making it a healthy addition to your diet. If you’re watching your calorie intake, it’s essential to know how many calories are in turkey.
Calories in Turkey Breast
Turkey breast is a leaner cut of meat and contains fewer calories than other parts of the turkey. The number of calories in a turkey breast depends on how it’s cooked, and whether it’s boneless or bone-in. Here’s a breakdown of the calorie content for a 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving:
- Boneless, skinless turkey breast roasted – 165 calories
- Bone-in, skinless turkey breast roasted – 153 calories
- Boneless, skinless turkey breast grilled – 119 calories
- Bone-in, skinless turkey breast grilled – 120 calories
As you can see, a boneless, skinless turkey breast that’s roasted has the most calories. If you’re watching your calorie intake, consider grilling your turkey breast for a lower-calorie option.
Calories in Dark Meat Turkey
The dark meat of the turkey contains more fat than the breast meat, so it has more calories. Here’s the calorie content for a 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of cooked dark turkey meat:
- Turkey drumstick without skin – 155 calories
- Turkey thigh without skin – 193 calories
- Turkey leg with skin – 214 calories
As you can see, removing the skin from the drumstick or thigh can significantly reduce the calorie content. However, a turkey leg with skin has the highest calorie count of all the cuts mentioned.
Calories in Ground Turkey
Ground turkey is a popular ingredient for various dishes, including meatballs, burgers, and chili. Here’s the calorie content for a 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of cooked ground turkey:
- Ground turkey (85% lean) cooked – 206 calories
- Ground turkey (93% lean) cooked – 149 calories
The leaner the ground turkey, the fewer calories it contains. Consider opting for a leaner variety if you’re watching your calorie intake.
The Bottom Line
Turkey is a healthy protein source that’s low in fat and high in nutrients. The calorie content of turkey varies depending on the cut and how it’s cooked. Generally, turkey breast is the leanest cut and contains the fewest calories. If you’re watching your calorie intake, it’s best to remove the skin from the dark meat cuts or choose leaner ground turkey options.
