Beyond Chicken-Free Grilled Strips: 20g Protein per 3 oz, Labelgrade B
B 78 / 100 — Per-gram protein density that rivals plain cooked chicken (23.5g per 100g vs chicken's 31g), with zero saturated fat. The trade-off is a 22-ingredient list including soy protein isolate and titanium dioxide as a colorant — engineered, not whole food.
🛒 Buy on Amazon →The short answer
Beyond Chicken-Free Grilled Strips deliver 20 g of protein per 3 oz (85 g) serving at just 120 calories (USDA FDC 2031061) — about 23.5 g per 100 g, which is denser than any mass-market chicken nugget in our database (Tyson, Applegate, Perdue all sit at 14-16 g per 100 g). The Labelgrade is B (78 / 100): top-tier protein density paired with zero saturated fat — better than the Beyond Burger’s 5 g — but earned with a 22-ingredient panel including soy protein isolate and titanium dioxide for color. The grilled-strip format means no breading; this is mostly a lean protein delivery vehicle, not a fried-food experience.
Why this Labelgrade
| Dimension | Grade | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein density | A- | 85 / 100 | 23.5 g per 100 g — rivals plain cooked meat. Soy + pea protein isolate base provides complete amino-acid coverage with PDCAAS ~0.9 |
| Ingredient quality | C+ | 68 / 100 | 22 ingredients, all FDA-recognized as safe. Soy protein isolate, maltodextrin, titanium dioxide flagged as processed-food markers. The chicken-flavor blend (yeast extract-based) is honestly engineered, not pretending to be whole food |
| Saturated fat load | A+ | 100 / 100 | 0 g saturated fat — the only Beyond product in our database that hits zero. The grilled-strip format doesn’t need the coconut oil that gives Beyond Burger its beef-like sizzle |
| Sodium load | D | 54 / 100 | 350 mg per serving, ~410 mg per 100 g — meaningful. Comparable to mass-market chicken nuggets (~640 mg per 100 g, fried) but higher than plain cooked chicken (~75 mg/100 g) |
| Sugar load | A+ | 100 / 100 | 0 g of sugar — perfect for a savory product |
| Fiber | D | 47 / 100 | 2 g per serving — modest, from soy fiber and carrot fiber. Not the reason you’d eat this |
| Overall | B | 78 / 100 | The leanest, densest plant-based protein in our database short of plain tofu. Best for use as a protein-bearing ingredient in stir-fries, salads, wraps. Lower Labelgrade penalty for sodium is offset by a strong showing on fat, sugar, and protein density |
How it compares
| Product | Protein per 100 g | Saturated fat | Sodium | Cholesterol | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beyond Chicken-Free Strips (this product) | 23.5 g | 0 g | 410 mg | 0 mg | 22 |
| Plain cooked chicken breast | 31 g | 1 g | ~75 mg | 85 mg | 1 |
| Tyson Chicken Nuggets (breaded, cooked) | 15.6 g | ~3 g | ~640 mg | ~35 mg | 8-10 |
| Applegate Chicken Nuggets | 14.3 g | ~3 g | ~470 mg | ~30 mg | 6 |
| Beyond Burger patty | 18 g | 4.4 g | 345 mg | 0 mg | 23 |
| House Foods Extra Firm Tofu | 17 g | 0 g | ~10 mg | 0 mg | 3 |
| Field Roast Plant-Based Chicken | ~17 g | 1 g | ~520 mg | 0 mg | 18 |
The honest read: against real chicken breast, Beyond Strips lose on simplicity (22 ingredients vs 1) but match on most other dimensions per gram of protein. Against breaded chicken nuggets, Beyond wins on every Labelgrade dimension — denser protein, no saturated fat, lower sodium. Against Beyond’s own Burger format, Strips are leaner and have zero saturated fat at the cost of less “meaty” mouthfeel.
Whole-food equivalent
One 85 g serving (20 g protein) ≈ 65 g of cooked chicken breast (about 2.3 oz). The calorie-per-gram-of-protein math is similar (Strips: 6.0 cal/g; chicken breast: ~5.3 cal/g). The trade-off vs chicken: 5× the sodium, 22× the ingredient-list length, but 0 mg cholesterol and a dietary-pattern-compatible form for vegetarians and vegans.
Scope
This page covers Beyond Chicken-Free Grilled Strips (UPC 852629004033, USDA FDC 2031061), the original grilled flavor in the 9 oz frozen bag format. Beyond’s chicken-substitute line also includes:
- Lightly Seasoned Chicken-Free Strips — same protein base, milder seasoning
- Southwest-Style Chicken-Free Strips — same base, chipotle/lime seasoning blend
- Beyond Plant-Based Chicken Breaded Tenders — breaded format, different macros
Per-100-g protein and saturated fat are nearly identical across the three Strips variants. Per-serving sodium varies ±50 mg by flavor. Always check the actual bag.
Ingredients (from the USDA Branded Foods entry)
Water, soy protein isolate, pea protein isolate, chicken flavor (yeast extract, maltodextrin, natural flavoring, salt, sunflower oil, citric acid), rice flour, expeller-pressed canola oil, soy fiber, carrot fiber, contains 0.5% or less of: white vinegar, spices, salt, sugar, molasses powder, dipotassium phosphate, titanium dioxide (for color), potassium chloride, paprika.
Where to buy
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The Labelgrade score is independent of affiliate relationships. More.
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Quick Facts
Per serving · 3 oz (85 g)
Full nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per Serving (3 oz (85 g)) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 |
| Protein | 20g |
| Total Fat | 3g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 5g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Total Sugars | 0g |
| Added Sugars | 0g |
| Sodium | 350mg |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Calcium | 60mg |
| Iron | 2.7mg |
Scope: This page applies specifically to Beyond Chicken-Free Grilled Strips · UPC 852629004033. Other sizes, flavors, or formulations may differ.
How this fits each diet
Each score is computed from the same USDA nutrition + ingredient data, against the published rules of each diet. They tell you "does this food fit this diet" — not whether the diet is right for you.
contains animal-derived ingredients
contains meat, fish, or gelatin
no wheat, barley, rye, or malt detected in USDA ingredient list
Frequently Asked Questions
How much protein is in Beyond Chicken-Free Grilled Strips?
20 g of protein per 3 oz / 85 g serving (USDA FDC 2031061) — about 23.5 g per 100 g. That's roughly 50% more protein per gram than mass-market chicken nuggets (Tyson: 15.6 g per 100 g; Applegate: 14.3 g per 100 g) and about 76% of plain chicken breast (31 g per 100 g).
Why does Amazon call them 'Chicken-Free'?
FDA labeling rules — Beyond can't legally call them 'chicken' because they're entirely plant-based. The packaging says 'Beyond Chicken' but the official product name registered with retailers (and USDA) includes 'Chicken-Free' or '-Free Strips' to comply with poultry-labeling law.
What's the protein source?
Soy protein isolate (~85% protein by weight, processed soybean concentrate) and pea protein isolate. The blend covers all essential amino acids and scores ≥0.9 on PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score) — comparable to whole egg or chicken protein. The 'chicken flavor' is a yeast-extract-based blend with natural flavorings and a small amount of sunflower oil.
How does it compare to actual chicken nuggets?
Per 100 g: Beyond Strips deliver 23.5 g protein, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, ~410 mg sodium. Tyson Nuggets deliver 15.6 g protein, ~3 g saturated fat (from frying oil + breading), ~35 mg cholesterol, ~640 mg sodium. So Beyond is denser in protein, leaner in fat, lower in sodium — but with a longer, more-processed ingredient list. The categories aren't directly comparable for taste; Beyond is grilled/seasoned strips, nuggets are breaded balls.
Is it keto?
Yes — 5 g total carbs minus 2 g fiber = 3 g net carbs per serving. Macro split is 23% fat / 13% carbs / 67% protein by calories. Keto-aligned. The low fat content (3 g per serving) means it's not optimized for fat-target keto; for higher-fat keto, add olive oil or pair with avocado.
Is the titanium dioxide a concern?
FDA-recognized as safe in food. The amount used in Beyond Strips is tiny (sub-0.5%) and provides white color. The EU re-evaluated TiO2 in 2021 and banned it as a food additive based on theoretical genotoxicity concerns, but the US, UK, and most other countries still permit it. People who actively avoid TiO2 should check the ingredient list of any white-tinted food — it's widely used.
How is this 'chicken-y' enough to substitute for chicken?
The chicken-flavor blend (yeast extract + sunflower oil + natural flavor + spices + salt) replicates the savory/umami profile of cooked chicken. Texture comes from how the soy/pea protein is extruded — it shreds and bites like chicken strips. Most home cooks report it works well in stir-fries, salads, wraps. It's NOT going to fool a chicken purist; it IS going to work as a protein-bearing ingredient in dishes.
Vs Beyond Burger?
Beyond Strips: 20 g protein, 120 cal, 0 g sat fat, 350 mg sodium per 85 g serving — leaner. Beyond Burger: 20 g protein, 231 cal, 5 g sat fat, 390 mg sodium per 113 g patty — fattier (from coconut oil to mimic beef). Same brand, different formulations for different use cases. Strips are leaner; Burger is more 'meaty' tasting.
What about Beyond Chicken Tenders (breaded)?
Different product: 'Beyond Plant-Based Chicken Breaded Tenders' — breading adds carbs and calories. Per 90 g serving: ~14 g protein, ~210 cal, 4 g sat fat (from frying oil). The unbreaded Grilled Strips (this product) are the leaner version; Tenders are the nugget-style alternative. Two different Labelgrades; check the Tenders page when we add it.