What meat is the lowest in potassium? Your Guide to Low-Potassium Choices

November 1, 2025 •

4 min read

According to sources like the American Kidney Fund and the National Institutes of Health, many animal-based foods contain potassium, but not all are high in it. For those on a restricted diet, understanding what meat is the lowest in potassium is crucial for effective dietary management.

Quick Summary

This guide identifies the meats and seafood lowest in potassium, highlighting clams and shrimp as top choices. It also explores how cooking methods, like boiling, can help further reduce potassium levels in meats for those on a restricted diet.

Key Points

Lowest Options: Certain seafood like clams and shrimp have the lowest potassium levels among animal proteins, making them excellent choices for restricted diets.
Cooking Methods: Boiling meat in water can significantly reduce its potassium content, with longer cooking times showing greater reduction.
Avoid Processed Meats: Processed products like deli ham are high in potassium and other additives, so they should be avoided on a low-potassium diet.
Portion Control is Key: For moderate-potassium meats like chicken, turkey, pork, and beef, managing portion sizes is essential to keep potassium levels in check.
Discard Juices: Always discard the water used for boiling or soaking meat, as this liquid contains the potassium that has leached out.
Consult a Dietitian: For personalized dietary advice, especially for conditions like chronic kidney disease, consulting a registered dietitian is highly recommended.

Understanding Potassium in Meat

Potassium is a vital mineral that plays a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance, nerve signals, and muscle contractions. However, for individuals with certain health conditions, particularly chronic kidney disease (CKD), controlling potassium intake is essential to prevent hyperkalemia, or dangerously high blood potassium levels. While many meats are generally considered moderate to high in potassium, certain types and preparation methods can make them suitable for a low-potassium diet.

The Top Contenders: Seafood

When it comes to animal-based proteins, some seafood options consistently rank as the lowest in potassium. These are excellent choices for those seeking to minimize their intake without sacrificing protein.

Clams: At just 58 mg of potassium per 100-gram serving, clams are the clear winner for the lowest potassium animal protein.
Shrimp: A 100-gram serving of shrimp contains approximately 101 mg of potassium, making it another fantastic low-potassium option.
Oysters: With around 193 mg of potassium per 100-gram serving, oysters also fall within the low-potassium range.
Canned Tuna: Light tuna canned in water offers about 176 mg of potassium per 100-gram serving, but it is important to check labels for added phosphorus.

Common Meats: Chicken, Turkey, Pork, and Beef

While chicken, turkey, and red meats are not categorized as 'low' in potassium (defined as under 200 mg per serving by some guides), they are often lower than many plant-based foods and can be managed with proper portion control and preparation.

Chicken and Turkey: These poultry options are generally lower in potassium compared to red meat. For example, a 100-gram serving of skinless chicken wings contains about 206 mg, while skinless turkey breast is around 249 mg. The exact amount varies by cut.
Pork: Lean pork, such as a chop, can have a moderate amount of potassium. A 100-gram serving of braised pork chops contains about 220 mg. Portion size is key to managing potassium when consuming pork.
Beef: Beef often has higher potassium levels than chicken or turkey. Ground beef, for instance, has around 302 mg per 100g, while a broiled tenderloin steak has about 270 mg per 3-ounce portion.

The Importance of Avoiding Processed Meats

Processed meats like ham, sausage, and deli slices should be avoided or severely limited on a low-potassium diet. These products are not only high in potassium but are also loaded with sodium and often contain phosphorus additives, both of which are detrimental for kidney health. For example, 100 grams of deli ham can contain over 400 mg of potassium.

How Cooking Methods Impact Potassium Levels

The way meat is prepared can significantly affect its final potassium content. Boiling is a highly effective method for reducing potassium in meats, similar to how it works with vegetables.

Boiling: Boiling meat for at least 10 minutes can reduce its potassium content by about half. Extended boiling periods, such as up to 8 hours, have been shown to remove over 90% of potassium in some studies. For this to be effective, you must discard the cooking water, as it will contain the leached potassium.
Pressure Cooking: This method has also been shown to reduce potassium levels in meat.
Soaking: Soaking meat in cold water for an extended period, which is sometimes done to remove excess blood, can also contribute to a potassium reduction.
Dry Cooking: Methods like roasting or grilling reduce potassium less effectively than boiling, but they still have some effect.

Practical Tips for a Low-Potassium Diet

Portion Control: Even with lower-potassium meats, moderation is crucial. A single, fist-sized portion is often recommended.
Drain Cooking Juices: Avoid using the liquid left over from cooking meat, especially if you boiled it, as this contains leached potassium.
Pair with Low-Potassium Sides: Combine your meat with low-potassium vegetables like green beans, cauliflower, or cucumbers.
Consult a Professional: A registered dietitian can provide personalized guidance tailored to your specific health needs.

Lowest Potassium Meats and Seafood Comparison

This table provides a quick reference for the potassium content of various animal proteins per 100-gram (approx. 3.5 ounces) serving.


Meat / Seafood Category	Specific Item	Potassium (mg) per 100g	Notes
Lowest Seafood	Clams	58	Very low potassium, great for restricted diets.
Lowest Seafood	Shrimp	101	Excellent low-potassium protein source.
Low Seafood	Canned Light Tuna	176	Check label for added phosphorus.
Moderate Poultry	Chicken Wing (skinless)	206	Lower than many other chicken cuts.
Moderate Poultry	Turkey Breast (skinless)	249	Moderate level, suitable with portion control.
Moderate Poultry	Chicken Breast (skinless)	256	Higher than wings, manage portion size.
Moderate Red Meat	Braised Pork Chops	220	Manageable with portion control.
Higher Red Meat	Ground Beef	302	Higher end of common meats.
Higher Seafood	Salmon	391	Higher potassium content, limit intake.
High Processed Meat	Deli Ham	425	High in potassium and additives, best to avoid.

Conclusion

While most common meats contain significant amounts of potassium, certain seafood options like clams and shrimp are naturally low in this mineral. For poultry and red meats, proper portion control and cooking methods like boiling can help reduce the overall intake. Processed meats should generally be avoided due to their high potassium, sodium, and additive content. By making smart protein choices and employing strategic cooking techniques, individuals on a low-potassium diet can still enjoy a variety of flavorful and healthy meals.

Frequently Asked Questions

The single lowest potassium meat is clams, which contain just 58 mg of potassium per 100-gram serving, making them a top choice for a very low-potassium diet.

Yes, chicken is generally lower in potassium than red meat like beef. For example, a skinless chicken wing has less potassium per 100g than ground beef.

Yes, cooking meat, particularly by boiling in water, can significantly reduce its potassium content. It's crucial to discard the cooking water afterward.

No, deli and other processed meats are generally high in potassium, sodium, and phosphorus additives, and should be avoided on a low-potassium diet.

Shrimp (101 mg/100g) has less potassium than canned light tuna (176 mg/100g). Always check canned tuna labels for added phosphorus.

Yes, even with lower-potassium meats, portion size is very important. Limiting intake to a modest serving can help control overall potassium consumption.

Hyperkalemia is the medical term for dangerously high blood potassium levels. For people with kidney dysfunction, a low-potassium diet is important because their kidneys cannot effectively remove excess potassium from the blood.