Foods high in selenium (per serving)

100 whole foods ranked by selenium per common serving, from USDA FoodData Central. Nuts, brazilnuts leads with 543 µg per 1 oz (6 kernels) (988% of the Daily Value), followed by Mollusks, oyster (131 µg) and Fish, tuna (92 µg).

Selenium is part of antioxidant enzymes and is needed for thyroid hormone metabolism. The Daily Value is 55 µg. Brazil nuts, seafood, meat, eggs and grains are the main sources; one Brazil nut can exceed the DV.

Top 10 at a glance

Nuts, brazilnuts543 µgMollusks, oyster131 µgFish, tuna92 µgTurkey, all classes87 µgMollusks, mussel76 µgCrustaceans, lobster62 µgFish, swordfish58 µgWheat, KAMUT khorasan55 µgMollusks, clam54 µgPork47 µg

Top 10 foods highest in selenium

  1. Nuts, brazilnuts (dried, unblanched)1 oz (6 kernels) (28 g) · 187 kcal543 µg988% DV
  2. Mollusks, oyster (Pacific, cooked, moist heat)3 oz (85 g) · 139 kcal131 µg238% DV
  3. Fish, tuna (yellowfin, fresh, cooked, dry heat)3 oz (85 g) · 110 kcal92 µg167% DV
  4. Turkey, all classes (liver, cooked, simmered)3 oz (85 g) · 161 kcal87 µg158% DV
  5. Mollusks, mussel (blue, cooked, moist heat)3 oz (85 g) · 146 kcal76.2 µg138% DV
  6. Crustaceans, lobster (northern, cooked, moist heat)3 oz (85 g) · 76 kcal62.1 µg113% DV
  7. Fish, swordfish (cooked, dry heat)3 oz (85 g) · 146 kcal58.2 µg106% DV
  8. Wheat, KAMUT khorasan (cooked)1 cup (172 g) · 227 kcal54.9 µg100% DV
  9. Mollusks, clam (mixed species, cooked, moist heat)3 oz (85 g) · 126 kcal54.4 µg99% DV
  10. Pork, fresh (loin, top loin (chops), boneless, separable lean only, with added solution, cooked, broiled)3 oz (85 g) · 144 kcal47.3 µg86% DV

All 100 foods ranked

Sort any column. Serving sizes are USDA household measures (a cup, a medium fruit, 3 oz of cooked meat or fish, 1 oz of nuts or cheese). %DV is based on the FDA Daily Value of 55 µg.

#FoodGroupServingSelenium (µg)% Daily ValuePer 100 gkcal
1Nuts, brazilnuts (dried, unblanched)Nuts and seeds1 oz (6 kernels) (28 g)543988%1,917187
2Mollusks, oyster (Pacific, cooked, moist heat)Fish and seafood3 oz (85 g)131238%154139
3Fish, tuna (yellowfin, fresh, cooked, dry heat)Fish and seafood3 oz (85 g)92167%108110
4Turkey, all classes (liver, cooked, simmered)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)87158%102161
5Mollusks, mussel (blue, cooked, moist heat)Fish and seafood3 oz (85 g)76.2138%89.6146
6Crustaceans, lobster (northern, cooked, moist heat)Fish and seafood3 oz (85 g)62.1113%73.176
7Fish, swordfish (cooked, dry heat)Fish and seafood3 oz (85 g)58.2106%68.5146
8Wheat, KAMUT khorasan (cooked)Grains1 cup (172 g)54.9100%31.9227
9Mollusks, clam (mixed species, cooked, moist heat)Fish and seafood3 oz (85 g)54.499%64126
10Pork, fresh (loin, top loin (chops), boneless, separable lean only, with added solution, cooked, broiled)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)47.386%55.6144
11Fish, halibut (Atlantic and Pacific, cooked, dry heat)Fish and seafood3 oz (85 g)47.186%55.494
12Fish, tilapia (cooked, dry heat)Fish and seafood3 oz (85 g)46.284%54.4109
13Lamb, New Zealand (imported, testes, cooked, soaked and fried)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)4582%53106
14Fish, sardine (Atlantic, canned in oil, drained solids with bone)Fish and seafood3 oz (85 g)44.881%52.7177
15Fish, mackerel (Atlantic, cooked, dry heat)Fish and seafood3 oz (85 g)43.980%51.6223
16Chicken, broiler (rotisserie, BBQ, wing, meat only)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)43.479%51.1158
17Couscous, cookedGrains1 cup, cooked (157 g)43.278%27.5176
18Pasta, whole-wheat (cooked)Grains1 cup spaghetti not packed (117 g)42.577%36.3174
19Crustaceans, shrimp (mixed species, cooked, moist heat (may contain additives to retain moisture))Fish and seafood3 oz (85 g)42.176%49.5101
20Crustaceans, crab (dungeness, cooked, moist heat)Fish and seafood3 oz (85 g)40.574%47.694
21Seeds, flaxseedNuts and seeds1 oz (28 g)38.570%136151
22Beef, round (outside round, bottom round, steak, separable lean and fat, trimmed to 0" fat, choice, cooked, grilled)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)38.169%44.8162
23Vermicelli, made from soyLegumes1 cup (140 g)37.869%27463
24Beef, chuck (shoulder clod, shoulder top and center steaks, separable lean and fat, trimmed to 0" fat, select, cooked, grilled)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)37.768%44.3150
25Chicken, broiler or fryers (breast, skinless, boneless, meat only, with added solution, cooked, grilled)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)3666%42.4126
26Mushrooms, shiitake (cooked, without salt)Vegetables1 cup pieces (145 g)3665%24.881
27Game meat, bison (ribeye, separable lean only, 1" steak, cooked, broiled)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)35.865%42.1150
28Beef, rib eye steak (boneless, lip off, separable lean only, trimmed to 0" fat, select, cooked, grilled)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)33.661%39.5162
29Seeds, sunflower seed butter (without salt)Nuts and seeds2 tbsp (32 g)33.461%104197
30Beef, brisket (flat half, separable lean only, trimmed to 0" fat, select, cooked, braised)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)33.361%39.2168
31Beef, top sirloin (steak, separable lean only, trimmed to 0" fat, select, cooked, broiled)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)33.160%38.9150
32Beef, rib (small end (ribs 10-12), separable lean only, trimmed to 1/8" fat, select, cooked, broiled)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)3360%38.8160
33Lamb, cubed for stew or kabob (leg and shoulder) (separable lean only, trimmed to 1/4" fat, cooked, braised)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)32.459%38.1190
34Lamb, shoulder (arm, separable lean and fat, trimmed to 1/8" fat, choice, cooked, braised)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)32.259%37.9286
35Turkey, all classes (leg, meat and skin, cooked, roasted)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)32.158%37.8177
36Turkey, all classes (back, meat and skin, cooked, roasted)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)32.158%37.8207
37Pork, Leg sirloin tip roast (boneless, separable lean and fat, cooked, braised)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)3258%37.7133
38Spaghetti, spinach (cooked)Grains1 cup (140 g)30.956%22.1182
39Turkey, whole (neck, meat only, cooked, simmered)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)30.856%36.2138
40Turkey, ground (85% lean, 15% fat, pan-broiled crumbles)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)30.756%36.1219
41Lamb, foreshank (separable lean only, trimmed to 1/4" fat, choice, cooked, braised)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)3055%35.3159
42Salmon, sockeye (canned, drained solids, without skin and bones)Fish and seafood3 oz (85 g)29.454%34.6134
43Turkey, fryer-roasters (meat and skin, cooked, roasted)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)28.752%33.8146
44Pork, Shoulder breast (boneless, separable lean and fat, cooked, broiled)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)28.652%33.7138
45Chicken, dark meat (thigh, meat only, with added solution, cooked, roasted)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)28.652%33.7139
46Pork loin, fresh (backribs, bone-in, cooked-roasted, lean only)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)28.652%33.7217
47Lamb, loin (separable lean only, trimmed to 1/4" fat, choice, cooked, broiled)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)27.951%32.8184
48Pork, loin (leg cap steak, boneless, separable lean and fat, cooked, broiled)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)27.350%32.1134
49Lamb, leg (shank half, separable lean only, trimmed to 1/4" fat, choice, cooked, roasted)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)26.949%31.7153
50Mushrooms, portabella (exposed to ultraviolet light, grilled)Vegetables1 cup sliced (121 g)26.548%21.935
51Bison, ground (grass-fed, cooked)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)26.448%31.1152
52Chicken, broilers or fryers (dark meat, thigh, meat only, cooked, braised)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)24.845%29.2150
53Duck, young duckling (domesticated, White Pekin, breast, meat only, boneless, cooked without skin, broiled)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)24.645%29119
54Turkey thigh, pre-basted (meat and skin, cooked, roasted)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)23.743%27.9133
55Cereals, oats (regular and quick, not fortified, dry)Grains1 cup (81 g)23.443%28.9307
56Pork, shoulder (petite tender, boneless, separable lean and fat, cooked, broiled)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)22.942%27132
57Mushrooms, brown (italian, or crimini, exposed to ultraviolet light, raw)Vegetables1 cup whole (87 g)22.641%2619
58Chicken, broilers or fryers (leg, meat only, cooked, stewed)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)22.541%26.5157
59Seeds, sunflower seed kernels (dry roasted, without salt)Nuts and seeds1 oz (28 g)22.541%79.3165
60Tofu, soft (prepared with calcium sulfate and magnesium chloride (nigari))Legumes1 cup (1/2" cubes) (248 g)22.140%8.9151
61Tofu, raw (firm, prepared with calcium sulfate)Legumes0.5 cup (126 g)21.940%17.4181
62Turkey breast, pre-basted (meat and skin, cooked, roasted)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)21.840%25.7107
63Goose, domesticated (meat only, cooked, roasted)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)21.739%25.5202
64Chicken, broilers or fryers (wing, meat and skin, cooked, roasted)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)21.739%25.5216
65Chicken patty, frozen (cooked)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)19.836%23.3244
66Garlic, rawVegetables1 cup (136 g)19.335%14.2203
67Duck, domesticated (meat only, cooked, roasted)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)1935%22.4171
68Mushrooms, white (cooked, boiled, drained, without salt)Vegetables1 cup pieces (156 g)18.634%11.944
69Quail, cooked (total edible)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)18.534%21.8193
70Mollusks, scallop ((bay and sea), cooked, steamed)Fish and seafood3 oz (85 g)18.434%21.794
71Veal, foreshank (osso buco, separable lean only, cooked, braised)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)17.632%20.7133
72Pheasant, cooked (total edible)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)17.632%20.7203
73Dove, cookedMeat and poultry3 oz (85 g)17.131%20.1181
74Yogurt, Greek (plain, nonfat)Dairy and eggs1 container (170 g)16.831%9.9100
75Turkey and gravy, frozenMeat and poultry3 oz (85 g)16.330%19.257
76Egg, whole (cooked, omelet)Dairy and eggs1 large (61 g)15.729%25.894
77Veal, ground (cooked, pan-fried)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)15.729%18.5183
78Seeds, chia seeds (dried)Nuts and seeds1 oz (28 g)15.628%55.2138
79Corn pudding, home preparedVegetables1 cup (250 g)15.228%6.1328
80Beans, navy (mature seeds, canned)Legumes1 cup (262 g)15.228%5.8296
81Spinach souffleVegetables1 cup (136 g)15.127%11.1234
82Game meat, deer (shoulder clod, separable lean only, cooked, braised)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)1527%17.7162
83Rice, brown (parboiled, cooked, UNCLE BENS)Grains1 cup (155 g)14.626%9.4228
84Barley, pearled (cooked)Grains1 cup (157 g)13.524%8.6193
85Veal, shank (fore and hind) (separable lean and fat, cooked, braised)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)1324%15.3162
86OkaraLegumes1 cup (122 g)12.924%10.693
87Peanut Butter, smoothLegumes2 tbsp (32 g)12.924%40.4188
88Game meat, rabbit (wild, cooked, stewed)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)12.924%15.2147
89Soybeans, mature cooked (boiled, without salt)Legumes1 cup (172 g)12.623%7.3296
90Tofu, firm (prepared with calcium sulfate and magnesium chloride (nigari))Legumes0.5 cup (126 g)12.523%9.998
91Game meat, elk (cooked, roasted)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)11.120%13124
92Lima beans, large (mature seeds, canned)Legumes1 cup (241 g)10.820%4.5190
93Beans, great northern (mature seeds, canned, low sodium)Legumes1 cup (262 g)10.720%4.1299
94Beans, pinto (mature seeds, cooked, boiled, without salt)Legumes1 cup (171 g)10.619%6.2245
95Seeds, sesame butter (tahini, from roasted and toasted kernels (most common type))Nuts and seeds2 tbsp (30 g)10.319%34.4178
96Game meat, goat (cooked, roasted)Meat and poultry3 oz (85 g)1018%11.8122
97Cheese, parmesan (grated)Dairy and eggs1 oz (28 g)9.918%35119
98Seeds, sesame seeds (whole, roasted and toasted)Nuts and seeds1 oz (28 g)9.818%34.4160
99Nuts, mixed nuts (oil roasted, with peanuts, without salt added)Nuts and seeds1 oz (28 g)9.618%33.9172
100Egg, yolk (raw, fresh)Dairy and eggs1 large (17 g)9.517%55.855

Selenium by food group

The best selenium sources within each group.

Fruits (44)

  1. Peaches, yellow (raw) · 3.1 µg per 1 medium (2-2/3" dia)
  2. Plantains, yellow (raw) · 2.2 µg per 1 cup, sliced
  3. Mangos, raw · 2 µg per 1 fruit without refuse
  4. Grapefruit, raw (pink and red, Florida) · 1.7 µg per 0.5 fruit (3-3/4" dia)
  5. Strawberries, frozen (unsweetened) · 1.5 µg per 1 cup, thawed
  6. Pomegranates, raw · 1.4 µg per 1 pomegranate (4" dia)

Vegetables (50)

  1. Mushrooms, shiitake (cooked, without salt) · 36 µg per 1 cup pieces
  2. Mushrooms, portabella (exposed to ultraviolet light, grilled) · 26.5 µg per 1 cup sliced
  3. Mushrooms, brown (italian, or crimini, exposed to ultraviolet light, raw) · 22.6 µg per 1 cup whole
  4. Garlic, raw · 19.3 µg per 1 cup
  5. Mushrooms, white (cooked, boiled, drained, without salt) · 18.6 µg per 1 cup pieces
  6. Corn pudding, home prepared · 15.2 µg per 1 cup

Legumes (34)

  1. Vermicelli, made from soy · 37.8 µg per 1 cup
  2. Tofu, soft (prepared with calcium sulfate and magnesium chloride (nigari)) · 22.1 µg per 1 cup (1/2" cubes)
  3. Tofu, raw (firm, prepared with calcium sulfate) · 21.9 µg per 0.5 cup
  4. Beans, navy (mature seeds, canned) · 15.2 µg per 1 cup
  5. Okara · 12.9 µg per 1 cup
  6. Peanut Butter, smooth · 12.9 µg per 2 tbsp

Nuts and seeds (12)

  1. Nuts, brazilnuts (dried, unblanched) · 543 µg per 1 oz (6 kernels)
  2. Seeds, flaxseed · 38.5 µg per 1 oz
  3. Seeds, sunflower seed butter (without salt) · 33.4 µg per 2 tbsp
  4. Seeds, sunflower seed kernels (dry roasted, without salt) · 22.5 µg per 1 oz
  5. Seeds, chia seeds (dried) · 15.6 µg per 1 oz
  6. Seeds, sesame butter (tahini, from roasted and toasted kernels (most common type)) · 10.3 µg per 2 tbsp

Grains (15)

  1. Wheat, KAMUT khorasan (cooked) · 54.9 µg per 1 cup
  2. Couscous, cooked · 43.2 µg per 1 cup, cooked
  3. Pasta, whole-wheat (cooked) · 42.5 µg per 1 cup spaghetti not packed
  4. Spaghetti, spinach (cooked) · 30.9 µg per 1 cup
  5. Cereals, oats (regular and quick, not fortified, dry) · 23.4 µg per 1 cup
  6. Rice, brown (parboiled, cooked, UNCLE BENS) · 14.6 µg per 1 cup

Fish and seafood (14)

  1. Mollusks, oyster (Pacific, cooked, moist heat) · 131 µg per 3 oz
  2. Fish, tuna (yellowfin, fresh, cooked, dry heat) · 92 µg per 3 oz
  3. Mollusks, mussel (blue, cooked, moist heat) · 76.2 µg per 3 oz
  4. Crustaceans, lobster (northern, cooked, moist heat) · 62.1 µg per 3 oz
  5. Fish, swordfish (cooked, dry heat) · 58.2 µg per 3 oz
  6. Mollusks, clam (mixed species, cooked, moist heat) · 54.4 µg per 3 oz

Meat and poultry (49)

  1. Turkey, all classes (liver, cooked, simmered) · 87 µg per 3 oz
  2. Pork, fresh (loin, top loin (chops), boneless, separable lean only, with added solution, cooked, broiled) · 47.3 µg per 3 oz
  3. Lamb, New Zealand (imported, testes, cooked, soaked and fried) · 45 µg per 3 oz
  4. Chicken, broiler (rotisserie, BBQ, wing, meat only) · 43.4 µg per 3 oz
  5. Beef, round (outside round, bottom round, steak, separable lean and fat, trimmed to 0" fat, choice, cooked, grilled) · 38.1 µg per 3 oz
  6. Beef, chuck (shoulder clod, shoulder top and center steaks, separable lean and fat, trimmed to 0" fat, select, cooked, grilled) · 37.7 µg per 3 oz

Dairy and eggs (17)

  1. Yogurt, Greek (plain, nonfat) · 16.8 µg per 1 container
  2. Egg, whole (cooked, omelet) · 15.7 µg per 1 large
  3. Cheese, parmesan (grated) · 9.9 µg per 1 oz
  4. Egg, yolk (raw, fresh) · 9.5 µg per 1 large
  5. Milk, buttermilk (fluid, whole) · 9.1 µg per 1 cup
  6. Milk, whole (3.25% milkfat, without added vitamin A and vitamin D) · 9 µg per 1 cup

How this list is built. Values are from USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy, with Foundation Foods analytical updates where available). The pool is 1,677 whole foods: fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, grains, fish, meat, poultry, dairy and eggs. Spices, herbs, baby foods, powders, flours, dried and freeze-dried items, juices, processed meats, organ meats other than liver and uncommon foods are excluded; meats, fish, grains and legumes are ranked cooked. Each food family appears once and no single animal or plant fills more than six places. Ranking is by amount per serving; the per-100 g column is shown for reference. A food that USDA has not analysed for selenium is left out rather than counted as zero. Full methodology.

Frequently asked questions

Which food is highest in selenium?

Among whole foods in the USDA database, Nuts, brazilnuts (dried, unblanched) has the most selenium per serving: 543 µg per 1 oz (6 kernels) (988% of the Daily Value). Per 100 g it contains 1,917 µg.

Which fruit has the most selenium?

Peaches, yellow (raw), with 3.1 µg per 1 medium (2-2/3" dia) (5.7% of the Daily Value). See the full list of fruits high in selenium below.

Which vegetable has the most selenium?

Mushrooms, shiitake (cooked, without salt), with 36 µg per 1 cup pieces (65% of the Daily Value). See the full list of vegetables high in selenium below.

How much selenium do I need per day?

The FDA Daily Value used on Nutrition Facts labels is 55 µg of selenium for adults and children aged 4 and over. Individual needs vary with age, sex, pregnancy and health conditions.

What counts as a food high in selenium?

FDA labeling rules call a food a 'good source' when one serving provides 10 to 19% of the Daily Value and 'high' or 'excellent' at 20% or more. 91 of the 100 foods on this list reach 20% DV per serving.

Related rankings

Nutrient values are from USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy, April 2018; Foundation Foods, April 2026) and shown per serving as described on each page. %DV uses the FDA Daily Values for adults and children aged 4 and over. This is nutrition data for general information, not medical or dietary advice; talk to a clinician or registered dietitian about your own needs. How the numbers are calculated.