Salmon vs Steak

Side-by-side macro comparison. Salmon vs Steak per their standard serving sizes.

Salmon

per 100g cooked

208 cal
20g Protein
0g Carbs
13g Fat
Full Salmon macros →
vs

Steak

per 6 oz / 170g cooked

175 cal
27g Protein
0g Carbs
7g Fat
Full Steak macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Salmon Steak Difference
Calories 208 cal 175 cal +19% Salmon
Protein 20g 27g -26% Salmon
Carbs 0g 0g 0% Salmon
Fat 13g 7g +86% Salmon

Differences shown relative to Salmon. Positive = Salmon has more.

Quick Take

Salmon delivers 208 calories per serving with 20g protein, 0g carbs, and 13g fat. Steak delivers 175 calories with 27g protein, 0g carbs, and 7g fat. The most meaningful difference: Steak saves 33 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. For protein density per calorie, Steak wins at 62% of calories from protein.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Steak gives you 33 more calories of headroom per serving — that's room for an extra snack, more vegetables, or a higher-protein second portion. If protein density matters more (which it does for preserving muscle on a deficit), Steak delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Salmon brings 208 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Steak delivers 27g of protein per serving, which directly feeds muscle protein synthesis. The best pick depends on whether you need more total calories or more usable protein.

For Keto / Low-Carb

Both Salmon and Steak are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Salmon or Steak?

Steak has more protein: 27g vs 20g per serving. That's a difference of 7g.

Which has fewer calories, Salmon or Steak?

Steak has 175 calories per serving vs 208 calories in Salmon — a difference of 33 calories.

Is Salmon or Steak better for keto?

Steak is the better keto choice at 0g carbs per serving vs 0g carbs in Salmon.

Is Salmon or Steak better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Steak gives you more calorie flexibility (33 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Steak delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Steak.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Steak

Higher protein-to-calorie density + lower absolute fat = more satiety per calorie.

💪 Muscle Gain

Steak

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

tie

Lower carbohydrate content fits keto and low-carb macros without burning your carb budget.

Both fit most balanced diets. These verdicts reflect macro-only comparisons — taste, satiety, cost, and personal preference also matter.

Find Your Personal Macros

The "right" food depends on your individual macro targets. Calculate yours in 60 seconds:

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Related Comparisons

Other ways Salmon and Steak stack up:

Full Salmon guideFull Steak guideAll comparisons