There are so many health benefits when choosing to eat grass fed beef, and sourcing the best grass fed beef is crucial if you want great flavor.
This post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking a link, sometimes I earn a small commission. However, there is no additional cost to you. Please read the disclosure policy for more information.
In an era of increasing awareness about the impact of food choices on our health and the environment, there is a growing interest in sourcing high-quality, sustainable, and ethically raised meat that provides the health benefits our bodies need.
There are many choices on the market to purchase sustainably sourced meat, and I have tried many brands. However, I believe that ButcherBox has the best-sourced meat with the most amazing flavor.
What is Grass-Fed Beef?
Grass-fed beef is from cattle that are raised their entire lives grazing in pastures on a diet of grass and natural forage. Unlike conventionally raised cattle, which typically eat grain-based diets in feedlots, grass-fed cattle roam freely in pastures. They eat a diet that’s closer to what nature intended. This natural diet has a profound impact on the well-being of the cattle. It also results in a healthier and more flavorful meat product.
Many people compare grass-fed meat to wild game meat like deer, bison, and wild boar. According to the Cambridge University Press, all beef was grass-fed and had free-range diets like wild game until the 19th century. Sustainably sourced grass-fed meat has similar health benefits to wild game.
What is the Difference between Grass-Fed and Grain-Fed Beef?
Not all grass-fed beef is created equal. For the best meat with the most healthful benefits, the cattle need to be grass-fed and grass-finished beef. Many times, farmers who raise grass-fed beef will finish the cattle with some sort of grain. This defeats the health benefits of eating grass-fed meat.
When cattle are grain-fed, even if they are only finished with grain, they still have less nutritional value than beef that is grass-fed and grass-finished. The upside to cattle that are grain-fed is that the meat has more fat. The fat adds flavor, but it also has less nutritional value than grass-fed beef.
Health Benefits
There is some controversy about whether beef that is grass-fed is better for your health than typical grain-fed. According to www.webmd.com, grass-fed cattle have more health benefits compared to cattle raised in a feed lot.
- Higher Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Grass-fed beef contains a high percentage of Omega-3s and CLAs, which are known for their heart-healthy benefits. Omega-3s can help reduce the risk of heart disease and inflammation. Typically, fish and fish oil contain Omega-3s, but according to www.webmd.com, “Grass-fed beef has up to six times more heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids than regular grain-fed beef.” - Leaner Meat
Grass-fed beef is leaner than grain-fed beef, containing fewer calories, less saturated fat, and higher in protein. - More Antioxidants and Vitamins
According to the www.webmd.com, grass-fed beef contains higher levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Their site also states, “Antioxidants help prevent cell damage that can lead to serious diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.” It is also a great source of iron and zinc. - Healthy for the Planet
Not only is grass-fed beef much better for our health, but it also provides superior animal welfare and is better for the planet. According to the American Grassfed Association, “Grassfed and pasture-based farming restores natural ecosystems and wildlife habitat, reduces reliance on petrochemicals, improves the soil with organic matter, and reduces greenhouse gasses, especially C02.” - No Antibiotics or Hormones
Most grass-fed cattle are raised without the use of antibiotics or synthetic hormones, which can be a concern with conventionally raised grain-fed beef.
How to Find the Best PRODUCT
There are many resources available to help locate high-quality meat that is grass-fed.
- Many grocery stores carry grass-fed meat, but be cautious that it is grass-fed and grass-finished.
- Many online meat delivery services offer meat that is humanely raised. Our favorite is ButcherBox.
- The American Grassfed Association has a resource to locate grass-fed producers in your area.
- Local farmer markets have grass fed meat for sale from locally sourced farmers.
- Sometimes local Facebook groups will identify nearby small farms that sell free range and sustainably grown meat.
Butcherbox Offers the Best MEAT
After sampling meat from various brands and farmers, I can assure you that ButcherBox has the highest quality meat with the most amazing flavor. They offer a variety of pasture-raised meat including 100% grass-fed and finished beef, USDA-certified organic free-range chicken, heritage-bred pork, and sustainably harvested wild-caught seafood. Their products are humanely raised and do not contain any antibiotics or hormones ever.
ButcherBox is my favorite meat delivery service because they have great customer service, an affordable price, and the best beef I have tasted. As I mentioned above, grass-fed beef is much leaner than grain-fed beef, which can make it more difficult to cook because it can dry out easier. However, everything I cook from ButcherBox turns out perfect. Their meat has the best marbling of any grass-fed beef I have tried.
ButcherBox is also a Certified B Corporation. This means they meet the highest standards of social and environmental impact. They also rely on third-party audits from organizations like Certified Humane and Global Animal Partnership to keep the company and its suppliers accountable.
Not only do they use sustainable agriculture as a high priority when sourcing their meat, but they also use sustainable practices when shipping their products. Everything ships in an eco-friendly, insulated box with dry ice. Additionally, they offer free home delivery on all orders.
Butcherbox offers options of a curated box, a custom box, as well as gift boxes. Numerous add-ons can be included in your shipment. Some of our favorite cuts of meat are ground beef, ribeye roast, filet mignon, roasts, organic chicken, and pork chops. I recently shared How to Cook a Boneless Rib Eye Roast using the best tasting ButcherBox rib eye roast.
Butcherbox’s slogan is, “Better meat for a better you” and I could not agree more! Bon appétit!
xoxo,
Molly
Leave a Reply