Foods Highest in Cholesterol

7,699 foods ranked by Cholesterol per 100 g.

These are the foods highest in Cholesterol, ranked by the amount per 100 g of the edible portion. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in every cell of the body and only in animal-based foods. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs; dietary cholesterol comes from foods like eggs, meat and dairy. It is needed to build cell membranes, vitamin D and several hormones.

Read the full Cholesterol guide

Values per 100 g.

Food Cholesterol
Veal, variety meats and by-products, brain, cooked, braised 3,100.00 mg
Beef, variety meats and by-products, brain, cooked, simmered 3,100.00 mg
Beef, variety meats and by-products, brain, raw 3,010.00 mg
Pork, fresh, variety meats and by-products, brain, cooked, braised 2,552.00 mg
Lamb, variety meats and by-products, brain, cooked, pan-fried 2,504.00 mg
Pork, fresh, variety meats and by-products, brain, raw 2,195.00 mg
Veal, variety meats and by-products, brain, cooked, pan-fried 2,120.00 mg
Egg, yolk, dried 2,052.00 mg
Lamb, variety meats and by-products, brain, cooked, braised 2,043.00 mg
Egg, whole, dried, stabilized, glucose reduced 2,017.00 mg
Beef, variety meats and by-products, brain, cooked, pan-fried 1,995.00 mg
Veal, variety meats and by-products, brain, raw 1,590.00 mg
Egg, whole, dried 1,507.00 mg
Lamb, variety meats and by-products, brain, raw 1,352.00 mg
Egg, yolk, raw, fresh 1,085.00 mg
Egg, yolk, raw, frozen, pasteurized 1,000.00 mg
Egg Mix, USDA Commodity 975.00 mg
Egg, yolk, raw, frozen, sugared 959.00 mg
Egg, yolk, raw, frozen, salted 955.00 mg
Egg, yolk, raw, frozen 945.00 mg
Egg, turkey, whole, fresh, raw 933.00 mg
Egg, duck, whole, fresh, raw 884.00 mg
Egg, goose, whole, fresh, raw 852.00 mg
Egg, quail, whole, fresh, raw 844.00 mg
Veal, variety meats and by-products, kidneys, cooked, braised 791.00 mg
Fish oil, herring 766.00 mg
Beef, variety meats and by-products, kidneys, cooked, simmered 716.00 mg
Fish oil, sardine 710.00 mg
Fish, caviar, black and red, granular 588.00 mg
Egg substitute, powder 572.00 mg

Egg yolks, organ meats, shellfish, fatty meats and full-fat dairy. Amounts are per 100 g of the edible portion; your serving may differ.

Cholesterol - frequently asked questions

What foods are highest in Cholesterol?

Per 100 g, some of the richest sources are Veal, variety meats and by-products, brain, cooked, braised, Beef, variety meats and by-products, brain, cooked, simmered, Beef, variety meats and by-products, brain, raw, Pork, fresh, variety meats and by-products, brain, cooked, braised and Lamb, variety meats and by-products, brain, cooked, pan-fried. See the full ranking above.

How much Cholesterol do I need a day?

The FDA Daily Value is 300 mg. Guidelines advise keeping intake "as low as possible" while eating a healthy pattern.

What does Cholesterol do?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in every cell of the body and only in animal-based foods. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs; dietary cholesterol comes from foods like eggs, meat and dairy. It is needed to build cell membranes, vitamin D and several hormones.

Can you have too much Cholesterol?

For most people dietary cholesterol has a modest effect on blood cholesterol, but those who are sensitive may see LDL rise. Saturated and trans fats generally affect blood cholesterol more.

Want the full story on Cholesterol?

See what it does, how much you need, deficiency and too-much, and more food sources.

Cholesterol guide