Poultry

Guinea hen, meat and skin, raw

FDC 172416oz (85 g)

Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

Density 62 · -15 vs Poultry median

Raw guinea hen with skin scores 62 of 100, a Good band result, but it ranks 46th of 60 in the poultry category, below the group's median score of 77. Protein is the standout, an excellent 47% DV per 100g, and the meat runs 158 calories per 100g with protein as the clear leading macro.

Guinea hen is prepared much like other game birds, roasted whole or braised with the skin left on for flavor, with a 3oz, 85g serving a reasonable portion. Since it falls well short of its category's median score, ground raw ostrich is a higher-ranking poultry option from the same list worth comparing it against.

See how this score is calculated, build a plate around guinea hen, or compare it with another food.

Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain

Fig. 1 · Macronutrient composition
Protein 23.4 g · 62%Carb 0 g · 0%Fat 6.5 g · 38%

Percent of calories derived by NutriVerdict from USDA grams

Nutrition facts

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories158 kcal8%
Total fat6.5 g8%
Saturated fat1.8 g9%
Cholesterol74 mg25%
Sodium67 mg3%
Carbohydrate0 g0%
Dietary fiber0 g0%
Sugars-
Protein23 g47%
Potassium193 mg4%
Calcium11 mg1%
Iron0.84 mg5%
Magnesium22 mg5%
Vitamin C1.3 mg1%
Vitamin A28 µg3%
Vitamin E-

Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain

FDC 172416

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

What it is rich in

Nutrients supplying at least 10% of the Daily Value per 100 grams. 20% or more is an excellent source.

Protein47% DV

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

Versus the poultry median

Nutrient density62 vs 77 median
Protein / 100 g23 vs 23 median
Fiber / 100 g0 vs 0 median
Sodium / 100 g67 vs 76 median

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

More nutrient-dense swaps

Foods in the same category that score higher on nutrient density.

Ostrich, ground, rawDensity 62 vs 62Quail, cooked, total edibleDensity 63 vs 62Quail, meat and skin, rawDensity 64 vs 62

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

In the kitchen and how to use it

Guinea hen is a farmed game bird with leaner, gamier meat than standard chicken, prized in French and West African cooking for dishes like coq au vin-style braises and slow-simmered stews. It roasts well whole, with the skin crisping nicely in the oven the same way chicken skin does, and it can also be jointed and braised to keep the leaner meat from drying out over a longer cook. Its slightly more pronounced flavor compared to chicken makes it suited to robust preparations with wine, root vegetables, mushrooms, and herbs like thyme and bay leaf, and it is sometimes larded or barded with strips of fat before roasting to compensate for its leanness.

Guinea hen is usually found at specialty butchers, farms, or through online game meat suppliers rather than a standard grocery aisle, and should be handled and stored like any raw poultry: refrigerated promptly and cooked to a safe internal temperature. At 158 calories and 23.4 grams of protein per 100 grams, an 85-gram serving offers a leaner alternative to chicken thigh with skin, with protein reaching 47% of the daily value, making it a solid choice for a roast dinner or braise for those wanting to branch out from standard poultry.

Frequently asked questions about guinea hen

How many calories are in raw guinea hen?

Raw guinea hen meat and skin has 158 calories per 100 grams.

Is guinea hen a good source of protein?

Yes, it provides 23.4 grams of protein per 100 grams, reaching 47% of the daily value.

How is guinea hen typically cooked?

It is commonly roasted whole to crisp the skin, or braised in wine-based stews similar to coq au vin.

View the USDA source record