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Scarlet Runner Bean Calories & Nutrition Calculator

Also known as: Phaseolus coccineus, Runner Bean, Multiflora Bean, Sem, Fire Bean, Ayocote Bean, Painted Lady Bean

Quick Answer — ½ cup (90g) cooked scarlet runner beans

109kcalCalories
5.6gProtein
20.1gCarbs
0.5gFat
6.8gFiber
By Manish KumarData verified: 2026-05-05

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121 kcal per 100g Cooked — How Scarlet Runner Beans Compare Calorie-for-Calorie Against Kidney Beans, Chickpeas, and Lentils

Cooked scarlet runner beans contain 121 kcal per 100g — placing them in the mid-range of cooked legumes. For comparison, cooked kidney beans have 127 kcal, chickpeas have 164 kcal, and cooked lentils have 116 kcal per 100g. The scarlet runner bean delivers comparable energy to most common beans, with a notably higher fiber content [1].

Dried scarlet runner beans have 335 kcal per 100g — a standard figure for dried legumes. Since these beans must be soaked and cooked before eating, the dried values are useful primarily for purchase planning. Water absorption during cooking roughly triples the weight, bringing the per-100g calorie count down to the 121 kcal range [2].

For food journaling, always log the cooked weight. A ½ cup serving (90g cooked) provides approximately 109 kcal — a moderate, protein-rich addition to any meal. The calorie contribution is predictable and consistent across different cooking methods (boiling, pressure cooking, or stewing).

7.6g Fiber per 100g Cooked (6.9g Insoluble, 0.7g Soluble) — Outranking Most Common Legumes in Total Dietary Fiber

Cooked scarlet runner beans provide 7.6g dietary fiber per 100g — higher than cooked kidney beans (6.4g), cooked black beans (5.4g), and cooked chickpeas (7.6g, tied). The fiber composition is predominantly insoluble at 6.9g, with 0.7g of soluble fiber [1].

A standard ½ cup serving (90g cooked) delivers approximately 6.8g fiber — 24% of the daily recommended 28g. This makes a single serving of scarlet runner beans one of the most fiber-efficient foods available. Two servings per day would provide nearly half the daily fiber requirement from a single food source.

For food journaling, the high insoluble-to-soluble fiber ratio (10:1) is worth noting. Insoluble fiber adds bulk and speeds transit, while soluble fiber contributes to satiety and slows carbohydrate absorption. If you're tracking fiber types separately, scarlet runner beans lean heavily toward the insoluble side.

6.2g Protein and 1700mg Potassium per 100g Dried — The Macronutrient Profile of a Bean That's Grown More for Flowers Than Food

Cooked scarlet runner beans contain 6.2g protein per 100g with 20.3g in the dried form — competitive with most common beans. The protein quality is typical of legumes: rich in lysine but limited in methionine. Pairing with grains (rice, bread, tortillas) complements the amino acid profile [2].

Dried scarlet runner beans contain 1700mg potassium per 100g — an exceptionally high concentration that exceeds dried kidney beans (~1406mg) and dried chickpeas (~875mg). Cooking reduces this to 440mg per 100g, which remains a substantial contribution. A ½ cup cooked serving provides approximately 396mg potassium [1].

For nutrition journaling, scarlet runner beans are a reliable protein-and-potassium combination. Unlike many potassium-rich fruits, beans deliver potassium alongside protein and fiber rather than sugar. Log them precisely by cooked weight to capture the full micronutrient contribution.

5.4mg Iron per 100g Dried Drops to 1.6mg Cooked — Understanding the Iron Retention and Absorption Reality

Dried scarlet runner beans have 5.4mg iron per 100g, but cooking and water absorption dilute this to 1.6mg per 100g cooked — a 70% reduction per unit weight. This is consistent with most legumes, where iron concentration drops proportionally as the bean absorbs water and increases in volume [1][2].

A ½ cup cooked serving (90g) provides approximately 1.4mg iron — about 8% of the daily value. This is plant-based (non-heme) iron, which has lower bioavailability than heme iron from animal sources. Consuming scarlet runner beans with vitamin C-rich foods (tomatoes, peppers, lemon juice) may support better iron utilization.

For food journaling, log the iron from cooked weight and note that absorption from plant-based iron varies by individual and meal composition. If tracking iron intake carefully, the presence of phytates in legumes (natural compounds that bind minerals) is worth noting — soaking and cooking reduces phytates but does not eliminate them.

Dried vs. Soaked vs. Cooked: Three States of the Same Bean with Vastly Different Nutrition per Gram

The same batch of scarlet runner beans will show dramatically different nutrition depending on when you weigh them. Dried: 335 kcal/100g → Soaked (overnight): ~140–160 kcal/100g → Cooked: 121 kcal/100g. Water absorption during soaking roughly doubles the weight, and cooking increases it further to approximately 2.5–3x the original dry weight [2].

For food journaling accuracy, the critical question is: did you weigh the beans dried or cooked? A ¼ cup of dried scarlet runner beans (48g) yields approximately 120–140g of cooked beans. If you log 100g of 'scarlet runner beans' without specifying the state, your calorie estimate could be off by 2.5–3x.

The practical rule: weigh cooked beans after draining. If you only know the dried weight, multiply by 2.8 to estimate the cooked weight, then apply the 121 kcal/100g cooked value. This method is more accurate than using the dried nutritional values and guessing at absorption losses.

Scarlet Runner Beans vs. Other Cooked Legumes — per 100g Cooked

NutrientScarlet RunnerKidney BeansChickpeasLentilsBlack Beans
Calories (kcal)121127164116132
Protein (g)6.28.78.99.08.9
Total Fat (g)0.60.52.60.40.5
Carbs (g)22.322.827.420.123.7
Fiber (g)7.66.47.67.95.4
Potassium (mg)440403291369355
Iron (mg)1.62.92.93.32.1
Zinc (mg)0.81.11.51.31.1

Practical Tips for Scarlet Runner Bean

  • 1

    Cooked scarlet runner beans have 121 kcal per 100g — comparable to most common legumes. A ½ cup serving (90g) provides about 109 kcal with 5.6g protein. Always weigh and log beans in their cooked state for accuracy.

  • 2

    Fiber content is 7.6g per 100g cooked — 91% of it insoluble. This is among the highest fiber concentrations for cooked beans. One serving provides 24% of the daily fiber recommendation.

  • 3

    Iron is 1.6mg per 100g cooked — log it, but note it's non-heme (plant-based). Pairing with vitamin C-rich foods may support utilization. Soaking and cooking reduces phytates that can bind minerals.

  • 4

    Always specify dried vs. cooked when logging. Dried beans have 335 kcal/100g; cooked beans have 121 kcal/100g. The difference is nearly 3x and depends entirely on whether you measured before or after cooking.

  • 5

    1 cup dried yields approximately 2.5–3 cups cooked. If you only measured the dried weight, multiply by 2.8 and use the 121 kcal/100g cooked value for more accurate food journaling.

Frequently Asked Questions — Scarlet Runner Bean

How many calories are in cooked scarlet runner beans?
Cooked (boiled) scarlet runner beans have 121 calories per 100g. A standard ½ cup serving (90g) has about 109 calories. This is comparable to cooked kidney beans (127 kcal) and lentils (116 kcal) per 100g.
Are scarlet runner beans the same as kidney beans?
No — scarlet runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus) are a different species from kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). They are larger, have a distinctive creamy-meaty texture, and slightly different nutritional profiles. Scarlet runner beans have higher fiber (7.6g vs 6.4g per 100g cooked) but lower protein (6.2g vs 8.7g) than kidney beans.
How much protein is in scarlet runner beans?
Cooked scarlet runner beans provide 6.2g protein per 100g. Dried beans have 20.3g protein per 100g. While slightly lower in protein than kidney beans or lentils, scarlet runner beans still provide meaningful plant-based protein, especially when paired with grains.
Are scarlet runner beans high in fiber?
Yes — cooked scarlet runner beans have 7.6g dietary fiber per 100g, with 6.9g insoluble and 0.7g soluble fiber. This is among the highest fiber levels for cooked legumes. A ½ cup serving provides about 24% of the daily recommended fiber intake.
Do I need to soak scarlet runner beans before cooking?
Yes — like most dried legumes, scarlet runner beans should be soaked overnight (8–12 hours) and then boiled until tender (45–60 minutes). Soaking reduces cooking time and helps reduce compounds that may cause digestive discomfort. Always discard the soaking water and cook in fresh water.

Important Notice

Nutritional values are based on research data from PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa) and the Japanese Standard Tables of Food Composition for scarlet runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus), dried raw and cooked, boiled forms. This calculator is for informational and nutrition journaling purposes only — it is not a substitute for guidance from a qualified nutrition professional.

About the Author

Manish Kumar - Author
Manish KumarNASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)

Certified fitness professional and nutrition researcher with over 10 years of experience in the fitness and wellness industry. Founder of Food Nutrify, dedicated to making accurate, science-backed nutrition data accessible to everyone through free, easy-to-use calculators.

NASM Certified Personal TrainerSports Nutrition Specialist

References & Sources

  1. [1] Japanese Standard Tables of Food Composition (2020). Scarlet runner bean (whole, dried, boiled) — Nutritional composition. Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan.
  2. [2] Brink M, Belay G (Editors) (2006). Phaseolus coccineus L. — Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. PROTA Foundation, Wageningen, Netherlands.
  3. [3] Ferreyra R, et al. (2017). Scarlet Bean (Phaseolus coccineus L.): A Potential Bean for India. Frontiers in Plant Science.
  4. [4] Rodriguez-Ambriz SL, et al. (2015). Nutritional and functional properties of Phaseolus coccineus flour. Journal of Food Science.