16 Complete Protein Pairings with Black Pepper

Summary:

• Black pepper is low in protein - about 0.2 grams per tsp.
• In addition, black pepper provides only 6 of the 9 essential amino acids sufficiently - it is a little low on lysine, methionine and tryptophan.^[1]
• Black pepper pairs well with carrots, crimini mushroom, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds or hedge mustard seeds to create a complete protein profile. ^[2] More black pepper pairings and detailed analysis below.

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• Summary
• Protein
• Amino Acid Profile
• Pairings with Black Pepper (16)

A complete protein is a protein source that "contains adequate proportions of the nine essential amino acids" that our body can not produce on its own.

Relatively low in protein, a single teaspoon of black pepper contains 0.2 grams of protein, or about 0% of recommended daily values. ^[1]

To get the adequate amount of protein with black pepper alone, you will need 209 teaspoons of black pepper (481 grams) for an average female, or 251 teaspoons of black pepper for males. ^[4] That's over 1210 calories. Pairing black pepper with a richer protein source is a good idea.

Full nutritional profile for black pepper
USDA Source: Spices, pepper, black

Macronutrients in 1 tsp (2.3g) of black pepper:

Proportionally, black pepper does contain abundant amounts of 6 out of the nine essential amino acids. However, black pepper is a little short on lysine, methionine and tryptophan.^[1]

To have adequate amounts of all nine essential amino acids with black pepper alone, you will have to eat 389 teaspoons of black pepper (896 grams) for an average person. ^[2]

That's about 86% more black pepper to compensate for the lack of lysine, methionine and tryptophan, compared to the protein requirement alone.

The amount of each essential amino acid in 1 tsp (2.3g) of black pepper:

1. Carrots
2. Crimini Mushroom
3. Chia Seeds
4. Pumpkin Seeds
5. Hedge Mustard Seeds
6. Dijon Mustard
7. Avocado
8. Wheat Germ
9. Lotus Seeds
10. Chestnut
11. Spinach

1. Sour Cream
2. Mayonnaise
3. Milk
4. Whipping Cream

Low in protein, carrot is high in lysine, methionine and tryptophan, which is complementary to black pepper.

A ratio of 5 teaspoons of black pepper (12g) and 2.2 carrots (159g) creates a complete protein profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 14:1 of carrot to black pepper will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for carrots
USDA Source: Carrots, raw

Crimini mushroom is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in lysine, methionine and tryptophan, complementing the profile of black pepper.

For example, 10 teaspoons of black pepper (23g) and 2.3 cups of crimini mushroom (204g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 9:1 of crimini mushroom to black pepper will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for crimini mushroom
USDA Source: Mushrooms, brown, italian, or crimini, raw

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, chia seed is high in lysine, methionine and tryptophan, which is complementary to black pepper.

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of black pepper (23g) and 0.8 ounce of chia seeds (23g) creates a complete protein profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 1:1 of chia seed to black pepper will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for chia seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, chia seeds, dried

Pumpkin seed is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in lysine, methionine and tryptophan, complementing the profile of black pepper.

For example, 10 teaspoons of black pepper (23g) and 3.4 tablespoons of pumpkin seeds (14g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.6:1 of pumpkin seed to black pepper will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for pumpkin seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, pumpkin and squash seeds, whole, roasted, without salt

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, hedge mustard seed is high in lysine, methionine and tryptophan, which is complementary to black pepper.

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of black pepper (23g) and 0.3 cup of hedge mustard seeds (20g) creates a complete protein profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.9:1 of hedge mustard seed to black pepper will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for hedge mustard seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, sisymbrium sp. seeds, whole, dried

Dijon mustard is a great source of protein, and is high in lysine, methionine and tryptophan, complementing the profile of black pepper.

For example, 10 teaspoons of black pepper (23g) and 4.2 tablespoons of dijon mustard (25g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 1.1:1 of dijon mustard to black pepper will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for dijon mustard
USDA Source: Spices, mustard seed, ground

Low in protein, avocado is high in lysine, methionine and tryptophan, which is complementary to black pepper.

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of black pepper (23g) and 2.1 avocado (287g) creates a complete protein profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 12:1 of avocado to black pepper will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for avocado
USDA Source: Avocados, raw, California

Wheat germ is a great source of protein, and is high in lysine, methionine and tryptophan, complementing the profile of black pepper.

For example, 10 teaspoons of black pepper (23g) and 2.7 tablespoons of wheat germ (19g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.8:1 of wheat germ to black pepper will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for wheat germ
USDA Source: Wheat germ, crude

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, lotus seed is high in lysine, methionine and tryptophan, which is complementary to black pepper.

A ratio of 5 teaspoons of black pepper (12g) and 1.3 cups of lotus seeds (41g) creates a complete protein profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 4:1 of lotus seed to black pepper will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for lotus seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, lotus seeds, dried

Chestnut is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in lysine, methionine and tryptophan, complementing the profile of black pepper.

For example, 10 teaspoons of black pepper (23g) and 0.8 cup of chestnut (115g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 5:1 of chestnut to black pepper will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for chestnut
USDA Source: Nuts, chestnuts, european, roasted

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, spinach is high in lysine, methionine and tryptophan, which is complementary to black pepper.

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of black pepper (23g) and 7.6 cups of spinach (228g) creates a complete protein profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 10:1 of spinach to black pepper will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for spinach
USDA Source: Spinach, raw

Sour cream is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in lysine, methionine and tryptophan, complementing the profile of black pepper.

For example, 10 teaspoons of black pepper (23g) and 3.5 tablespoons of sour cream (42g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 1.8:1 of sour cream to black pepper will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for sour cream
USDA Source: Cream, sour, cultured

Low in protein, mayonnaise is high in lysine, methionine and tryptophan, which is complementary to black pepper.

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of black pepper (23g) and 0.8 cup of mayonnaise (180g) creates a complete protein profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 8:1 of mayonnaise to black pepper will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for mayonnaise
USDA Source: Salad dressing, mayonnaise, regular

Milk is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in lysine, methionine and tryptophan, complementing the profile of black pepper.

For example, 10 teaspoons of black pepper (23g) and 3.1 tablespoons of milk (48g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 2.1:1 of milk to black pepper will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for milk
USDA Source: Milk, reduced fat, fluid, 2% milkfat, with added vitamin A and vitamin D

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, whipping cream is high in lysine, methionine and tryptophan, which is complementary to black pepper.

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of black pepper (23g) and 0.9 cup of whipping cream (57g) creates a complete protein profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 2.5:1 of whipping cream to black pepper will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for whipping cream
USDA Source: Cream, whipped, cream topping, pressurized