There are two sources of cholesterol--the food you eat, and what your body produces. Knowing the amount of cholesterol in the foods you eat can help you make healthy choices. Generally, organ meats contain higher amounts of cholesterol than other cuts. Trimming the fat from meat reduces the amount of cholesterol. The amounts listed below are given for meat prepared without additional fat (unless otherwise stated) for a single serving.
Beef
The amounts of cholesterol in mgs for various cuts of beef are: rib roast, 40-72; eye of round, 52-62; sirloin, 64-77; chuck roast, 66-87; ground beef, 74; bottom round, 75-81; canned corned beef, 80. A veal cutlet has 86 mgs of cholesterol per serving. Beef heart has 164-180 mgs of cholesterol per serving, while beef liver has 269-410 mgs of cholesterol per serving. Beef brain, braised, has 2,635 mgs of cholesterol per serving.
Chicken
While technically poultry, chicken meat is eaten by most Americans on a regular basis. Chicken breast has 73 mgs of cholesterol per serving if roasted, but that amount increases to 87 mgs of cholesterol per serving if it is dredged in flour and fried, and to 119 per serving if it is battered then fried. A chicken drumstick has 41 mgs. of cholesterol per serving if roasted, with that amount increasing to 44 mgs of cholesterol per serving if it is dredged in flour and fried, and 62 per serving if it is battered then fried. Chicken liver has 126 mgs of cholesterol per serving, while canned boneless chicken has 88 mgs of cholesterol per serving.
Lamb
Leg of lamb has 65 to 78 mgs of cholesterol per serving. Lamb chops have 59 to 78 mgs of cholesterol per serving, while roasted ribs have 50 to 77 mgs of cholesterol per serving. Lamb brain has 1,737 mgs of cholesterol per serving.
Pork
Pork loin chops have 71 to 92 mgs of cholesterol per serving depending on how much fat has been trimmed away and how they are prepared. Pork ribs have 59 to 69 mgs of cholesterol per serving, while pork shoulder has 76 to 93 mgs of cholesterol per serving. Fresh ham has 68 to 79 mgs of cholesterol per serving, while cured ham has less at 35 to 53 mgs per serving. Ham luncheon meat has even less, at 21 to 32 mgs of cholesterol per serving. Pork chitterlings and pork feet have 235 and 91 mgs of cholesterol per serving, respectively. Bacon has 16 mgs of cholesterol per serving and Canadian bacon has 27 mgs per serving. Pork brains have 2,169 mgs of cholesterol per serving.
Game and Exotic Meats
Ground venison has 83 mgs of cholesterol per serving. Broiled venison tenderloin has 75 grams of cholesterol per serving. Ground bison has 71 mgs of cholesterol per serving. A bison ribeye has 67 grams of cholesterol per serving. Ground ostrich has 71 mgs of cholesterol per serving. An ostrich tenderloin has 80 mgs of cholesterol per serving.
Other Meats
The cholesterol amounts in processed meat products can vary by manufacturer. For processed meat products, such as frankfurters, luncheon meats or sausages, consult the nutrition labeling.
