Top 10 foods high in iron
Ranked from USDA's reference data for whole and generic foods. Pick a food to see its full nutrition label.
- USDA FoodData Central for whole and branded foods.
- Open Food Facts for product photos and international labels.
- Wikimedia Commons for photos of whole foods.
Calories, vitamins, and minerals for your age, sex, size, and activity.
Work out your targetsEveryday foods high in iron
Ranked by amount per 100 g across 5,780 USDA foods that report iron.
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21
Noodles, chinese, chow mein
SR LegacyCereal Grains and Pasta · 471 kcal per 100 gIron high 6.4 mg per 100 g · 36% DVAbout 1.8 mg in 0.5 cup dry (28 g) -
22
Waffles, chocolate chip, frozen, ready-to-heat
SR LegacyBaked Products · 297 kcal per 100 gIron high 6.4 mg per 100 g · 36% DVAbout 4.5 mg in 2 waffles (70 g) -
23
Snacks, crisped rice bar, almond
SR LegacySnacks · 458 kcal per 100 gIron high 6.4 mg per 100 g · 35% DVAbout 1.8 mg in 1 bar (1 oz) (28 g) -
24
Olives, ripe, canned (small-extra large)
SR LegacyFruits and Fruit Juices · 116 kcal per 100 gIron high 6.3 mg per 100 g · 35% DVAbout 0.528 mg in 1 tbsp (8.4 g) -
25
Parsley, fresh
SR LegacyVegetables and Vegetable Products · 36 kcal per 100 gIron high 6.2 mg per 100 g · 34% DVAbout 3.7 mg in 1 cup chopped (60 g) -
26
Nuts, cashew nuts, oil roasted, with salt added
SR LegacyNut and Seed Products · 581 kcal per 100 gIron high 6.1 mg per 100 g · 34% DVAbout 7.8 mg in 1 cup, whole (129 g) -
27
Milk and cereal bar
SR LegacySnacks · 413 kcal per 100 gIron high 6 mg per 100 g · 33% DVAbout 1.5 mg in 1 bar (25 g) -
28
Pancakes plain, frozen, ready-to-heat (includes buttermilk)
SR LegacyBaked Products · 233 kcal per 100 gIron high 5.7 mg per 100 g · 32% DVAbout 1.6 mg in 1 oz (28.4 g) -
29
Toaster pastries, brown-sugar-cinnamon
SR LegacyBaked Products · 370 kcal per 100 gIron high 5.6 mg per 100 g · 31% DVAbout 1.6 mg in 1 oz (28.4 g) -
30
Soybean, curd cheese
SR LegacyLegumes and Legume Products · 151 kcal per 100 gIron high 5.6 mg per 100 g · 31% DVAbout 13 mg in 1 cup (225 g)
Amounts are per 100 g, so compare serving sizes too: a food can rank high per 100 g but be eaten in small amounts. Similar foods, such as organ meats from different animals or different cuts of beef, appear once: the highest-ranked one is shown. Everyday foods leaves out dried and powdered forms, spices, baby foods, and ingredients such as flours and extracts.
Data: USDA FoodData Central, Foundation Foods (2026-04-30 release) and SR Legacy (2018), with Foundation values preferred. Brand-name products aren't ranked, including the brand-name items in USDA's reference data. How rankings work · See percentages of your own daily needs · Search for the words “high in iron” instead