RationTracker

Foods High in Cholesterol

By the Ration Editorial Team · Reviewed against primary research

Bar chart ranking the foods highest in Cholesterol: Beef Brain, Goose Egg, Turkey Egg and more
300 mg = 100% Daily Value · USDA laboratory data · Fortified products and supplements excluded

Want to see how much cholesterol you actually get? Track it free with Ration →

Key takeaways

  • Beef Brain tops the list: 2,635 mg of cholesterol per 3 oz, 878% of the daily target.
  • General guidance is to keep cholesterol under 300 mg per day.

Cholesterol at a glance

Daily cap
300 mg

Top Food Sources

Bar chart ranking the animal foods highest in Cholesterol per serving, as a percent of the daily target
Animal foods ranked by cholesterol in one serving · 300 mg = 100% Daily Value · USDA laboratory data · Fortified products and supplements excluded
Bar chart ranking the plant foods highest in Cholesterol per serving, as a percent of the daily target
Plant foods ranked by cholesterol in one serving · 300 mg = 100% Daily Value · USDA laboratory data · Fortified products and supplements excluded
  1. 1Beef Brain · per 3 oz · 2,635 mg · 128 cal878 % DV
  2. 2Goose Egg · per 1 egg · 1,227 mg · 266 cal409 % DV
  3. 3Turkey Egg · per 1 egg · 737 mg · 135 cal246 % DV
  4. 4Duck Egg · per 1 egg · 619 mg · 130 cal206 % DV
  5. 5Pork Brain · per 1 oz · 616 mg · 36 cal205 % DV
  6. 6Beef Kidneys · per 3 oz · 609 mg · 134 cal203 % DV
  7. 7Chicken Gizzard · per 1 cup chopped or dice · 537 mg · 223 cal179 % DV
  8. 8Veal Brain · per 1 oz · 445 mg · 33 cal148 % DV
  9. 9Turkey Giblets · per 3 oz · 443 mg · 147 cal148 % DV
  10. 10Quail Egg · per 1 serving · 422 mg · 79 cal141 % DV
  11. 11Lamb Brain · per 1 oz · 378 mg · 34 cal126 % DV
  12. 12Veal Liver · per 4 oz · 377 mg · 158 cal126 % DV
  13. 13Pork Kidneys · per 4 oz · 360 mg · 113 cal120 % DV
  14. 14Chicken Heart · per 1 cup, chopped or diced · 351 mg · 268 cal117 % DV
  15. 15Beef Liver · per 4 oz · 311 mg · 153 cal104 % DV
  16. 16Pork Stomach · per 3 oz · 269 mg · 133 cal90 % DV
Percent of the general adult daily target in one serving, from USDA portion data. Fortified products, supplements, and spices are excluded.

Food values compiled from public nutrition databases and published research. Rankings exclude fortified products and supplements to reflect whole foods.

One-page printable guide to the foods highest in Cholesterol, with percent daily value and serving size for eachFree one-pagerThe Cholesterol cheat sheetEvery top source with its serving size, percent of your daily target, and calories. Print it, save it, or stick it on the fridge.Open the printable guide

Read next

Foods High in Vitamin DVitamin D supports calcium absorption and bone health, and it is also tied into hormone regulation. Sun exposure produces it, but food and supplements help fill the gap.