Top 12 Foods That Are High in Vitamin B12

Top 12 Foods That Are High in Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that your body can’t make on its own, so you need to get it from your diet or from supplements.


Vegetarians, people who are pregnant or nursing, and others who are at risk of deficiency may want to track their diets closely to make sure they’re getting enough.

Here are 12 foods rich in vitamin B12 to add to your shopping list.

Good sources of vitamin B12

1. Animal liver and kidneys


Organ meats are some of the most nutrient-packed foods. Liver and kidneys, especially from lamb, are rich in vitamin B12.

A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of lamb liver provides an incredible 3,571% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin B12 (1Trusted Source).

While lamb liver is generally higher in vitamin B12 than beef or veal liver, the latter two may still contain about 3,000% of the DV per 3.5 ounces (100 grams) (2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source).

Lamb liver is also very high in copper, selenium, and vitamins A and B2 (1Trusted Source).

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Lamb, veal, and beef kidneys are likewise high in vitamin B12. Lamb kidneys provide about 3,000% of the DV per 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving, plus more than 100% of the DV for vitamin B2 and selenium (4Trusted Source).

B12 content

A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of lamb, beef, or veal liver contains up to 3,571% of the DV for vitamin B12, while the same serving of kidneys contains up to 3,000% of the DV.

2. Clams

Clams are small, chewy shellfish that are packed with nutrients.

This mollusk is a lean source of protein and contains very high concentrations of vitamin B12. You can get more than 7,000% of the DV in just 20 small clams (190 grams) (5Trusted Source).

Clams, especially whole baby clams, also provide a great amount of iron, with almost 200% of the DV in a 100-gram (3.5-ounce) serving (6).

રસોડામાં રહેલા ત્રણ ખોરાકમાં ઢગલા મોઢે રહેલું છે વિટામિન બી12
ગુજરાતીમાં માહિતી માટે અહીં ક્લિક કરો

Plus, clams have been shown to be a good source of antioxidants (7Trusted Source).



Interestingly, the broth of boiled clams is also high in vitamin B12. Canned clam broth has been shown to provide 113–588% of the DV per 3.5 ounces (100 grams) (8Trusted Source).

B12 content

A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of clams contains up to 99 mcg of vitamin B12, which is 4,120% of the DV.

3. Sardines

Sardines are small, soft-boned saltwater fish. They’re usually sold canned in water, oil, or sauces, though you can also buy them fresh. Sardines are especially nutritious because they contain good amounts of almost every single nutrient.

A 1-cup (150-gram) serving of drained sardines provides 554% of the DV for vitamin B12 (9Trusted Source).

Furthermore, sardines are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to provide many health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and improving heart health (10Trusted Source).

B12 content

One cup (150 grams) of drained sardines contains up to 554% of the DV for vitamin B12.

4. Beef

Beef is an excellent source of vitamin B12.

One grilled flat iron steak (about 190 grams) provides 467% of the DV for vitamin B12 (11Trusted Source).

Also, the same amount of steak contains reasonable amounts of vitamins B2, B3, and B6, as well as more than 100% of the DVs for selenium and zinc (11Trusted Source).

If you’re looking for higher concentrations of vitamin B12, it’s recommended to choose low fat cuts of meat. It’s also better to grill or roast it — instead of frying — to preserve the B12 content (12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source).

B12 content

A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of beef contains about 5.9 mcg of vitamin B12. That’s 245% of the DV.

5. Fortified cereal

This source of vitamin B12 may work well for vegetarians and vegans because it’s synthetically made and not derived from animal sources (14Trusted Source).

Although not commonly recommended as part of a healthy diet, fortified cereals can be a good source of B vitamins, especially B12. Food fortification is the process of adding nutrients that are not originally in the food.

For instance, Malt-O-Meal Raisin Bran offers up to 62% of the DV for vitamin B12 in 1 cup (59 grams) (15Trusted Source).

The same serving of this cereal also packs 29% of the DV for vitamin B6 and good amounts of vitamin A, folate, and iron (15Trusted Source).

Research shows that eating fortified cereals daily helps increase vitamin B12 concentrations (16Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source).

In fact, one study showed that when participants ate 1 cup (240 mL) of fortified cereal containing 4.8 mcg (200% of the DV) of vitamin B12 daily for 14 weeks, their B12 levels increased significantly (16Trusted Source).

If you choose to use fortified cereal to increase your vitamin B12 intake, make sure to choose a product that’s low in added sugar and high in fiber or whole grains.

B12 content

Cereal fortified with vitamin B12 may also help you increase your vitamin B12 levels. One cup (59 grams) of Malt-O-Meal Raisin Bran provides 62% of the DV.

6. Tuna

Tuna is a commonly consumed fish and a great source of nutrients, including protein, vitamins, and minerals. It contains high concentrations of vitamin B12, especially in the muscles right beneath the skin, which are known as dark muscles (18).

A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of cooked tuna contains 453% of the DV for the vitamin (19Trusted Source).

This same serving size also packs a good amount of lean protein, phosphorus, selenium, and vitamins A and B3 (19Trusted Source).

Canned tuna also contains a decent amount of vitamin B12. In fact, a can (142 grams) of light tuna canned in water contains 152% of the DV (20Trusted Source).

B12 content

A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of cooked tuna provides 10.9 mcg of vitamin B12. That’s 453% of the DV.

7. Fortified nutritional yeast

Nutritional yeast is a good vegan source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. It’s a species of yeast specifically grown to be used as food, not as a leavening agent in bread and beer.

Nutritional yeast does not naturally contain vitamin B12. However, it’s commonly fortified, which makes it a great source of this nutrient.

As with fortified cereals, the vitamin B12 in nutritional yeast is vegan-friendly because it’s synthetic (14Trusted Source).

Two tablespoons (15 grams) of nutritional yeast may contain up to 733% of the DV for vitamin B12 (21Trusted Source).

In one study, researchers added nutritional yeast to the diets of raw food vegans and found that it increased vitamin B12 blood levels and helped reduce blood markers of B12 deficiency (22Trusted Source).

B12 content

Two tablespoons (15 grams) of nutritional yeast may provide up to 17.6 mcg of vitamin B12. That’s 733% of the DV.

8. Trout

Rainbow trout is considered one of the healthiest fish. This freshwater species is a great source of protein, healthy fats, and B vitamins.

A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of trout fillet offers about 312% of the DV for vitamin B12 and 1,171 mg of omega-3 fatty acids (23Trusted Source).

For adults, experts recommend a combined daily intake of 1,100–1,600 mg of omega-3 fatty acids (24Trusted Source).

Trout is also a great source of minerals such as manganese, phosphorus, and selenium (23Trusted Source).

B12 content

A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of trout contains 7.5 mcg of vitamin B12. That’s 312% of the DV.

9. Salmon

Salmon is well known for having one of the highest concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids. It’s also an excellent source of B vitamins.

A half fillet (178 grams) of cooked salmon can pack 208% of the DV for vitamin B12 (25Trusted Source).

The same serving may also provide 4,123 mg of omega-3 fatty acids (25Trusted Source).

Alongside its high fat content, this fish offers a high amount of protein, with about 40 grams in a half fillet (178 grams) (25Trusted Source).

B12 content

A half fillet (178 grams) of cooked salmon offers more than 200% of the DV for vitamin B12.

10. Fortified nondairy milk

Nondairy milk is popular among those who want a nutritious vegan replacement for dairy milk.

While soy, almond, and rice milks are not naturally high in vitamin B12, they are usually fortified, which makes them an excellent source of this vitamin.

One example is soy milk, which provides up to 86% of the DV for vitamin B12 in 1 cup (240 mL) (26Trusted Source).

As such, fortified nondairy milks make a great option for those who want to increase their B12 intake and avoid deficiency (27).

Like the B12 in other fortified sources, the B12 in nondairy milk is synthetic, so it’s vegan-friendly (14Trusted Source).

B12 content

One cup (240 ml) of soy milk contains 2.1 mcg of vitamin B12, or 86% of the DV.

11. Milk and dairy products

Milk and other dairy products, such as yogurt and cheese, are great sources of protein and several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12.

One cup (240 ml) of whole milk supplies 46% of the DV for vitamin B12 (28Trusted Source).

Cheese is also a rich source of vitamin B12. One large slice (22 grams) of Swiss cheese contains about 28% of the DV (29Trusted Source).

Full-fat plain yogurt may also be a decent source. It has even been shown to help improve vitamin B12 status in people who are deficient in this vitamin (30Trusted Source, 31Trusted Source).

Interestingly, studies have found that your body absorbs the vitamin B12 in milk and dairy products better than the vitamin B12 in beef, fish, or eggs (32, 33Trusted Source, 34Trusted Source).

B12 content

Dairy is a great source of vitamin B12. One cup (240 mL) of whole milk provides 46% of the DV, and one slice (22 grams) of Swiss cheese contains 28%.

12. Eggs

Eggs are a great source of complete protein and B vitamins, especially B2 and B12.

Two large eggs (100 grams) supply about 46% of the DV for vitamin B12, plus 39% of the DV for vitamin B2 (35Trusted Source).

Research has shown that egg yolks have higher levels of vitamin B12 than egg whites. The B12 in egg yolks is also easier to absorb. Therefore, it’s recommended to eat whole eggs instead of just their whites (36Trusted Source).

In addition to getting a good dose of vitamin B12, you’ll get a healthy amount of vitamin D. Eggs are one of the few foods that naturally contain it, with 11% of the DV in two large eggs (35Trusted Source).