Grass Fed vs Grain Fed Beef: What’s the Difference and Why Does it Matter for Meat Quality?

You know your go-to beef cuts and the NYC butcher shop where you love to get your meat. However, how much do you really know about how your beef is raised and how that impacts quality and flavor? Beef cattle have two primary diets: grass or grain. Learn more about the differences between grass-fed and grain-fed beef and how it affects the quality of your beef below:   

What is Grass-Fed Meat?

Grass-fed beef is raised on a diet of primarily grass, hay, and other vegetation that the cattle naturally graze on in an open pasture. Grass-fed meat takes longer to mature, as the cattle graze naturally until they've reached a suitable size. Grass-fed beef is raised in more humane, natural conditions than mass-produced beef, which is primarily grain-fed and fattened in feedlots before processing. The result is beef that has a leaner, firmer texture than grain-fed beef and robust flavor. Grass-fed meat has a deep, rich red coloring and yellow-tinted fat deposits. Beef that is 100% grass-fed must have an exclusive diet of grass and forage and have continuous access to a pasture.

What is Grain-Fed Meat?

Grain-fed beef is beef that has been fed a diet of high-fat feed like corn, grains, and soy products. Grain-fed beef creates fattier cuts with a mild flavor compared to 100% grass-fed beef. Most beef cattle in the US are fed a mixed diet of grass and grain, grazing on grass for part of their life and then "finished” with a high-grain diet 90 to 150 days before processing. This fattens the cattle quickly and intensifies intramuscular fat streaks (marbling). During this time, the cattle are placed in feedlots that restrict movement and promote growth. Grain-fed beef is typically pinkish in color with bright white fat deposits throughout the meat.

Below, we highlight the differences in grass-fed and grain-fed meat in categories such as flavor, environmental impact, and health benefits:

Flavor

How does cattle feed impact beef flavor? Here's how grass-fed and grain-fed beef compare when it comes to flavor profiles:  

Grass-Fed

Grass-fed cattle use their muscles more extensively during their lifetimes, which results in a leaner cut. Grass-fed beef can be described as having a nutty, earthy, and gamey flavor.

Grain-Fed

Much of the meat you’re used to getting at the grocery store is grain-fed. This beef is juicy with fat intertwined throughout every cut. It has a milder flavor, but is also more tender and fattier than grass-fed beef.

Sustainability

Here's how beef raising practices and feed choices impact the environment:

Grass-Fed

Grass-fed beef requires ample space for the cattle to roam and graze, enjoying a more natural lifestyle before processing. Grass-fed beef farmers employ various methods to promote natural grazing, which reduces the need for substantial farming equipment and crop cultivation exclusively for feed. However, more land is needed to provide space for adequate grazing and a continuous grass supply for the cattle to consume.

Grain-Fed

Grain-fed beef has a larger impact on the environment than grass-fed beef. Grain-fed beef utilizes conventional farming methods, such as heavy machinery to harvest large fields of grain and corn exclusively for cattle feed. These farms often use commercial pesticides and fertilizers to help maintain feed crop quality, too. 

Health Benefits

While both grass-fed and grain-fed beef are good sources of protein, iron, and vitamin B, grass-fed is the overall healthier option. Here’s why:

Grass-Fed

Grass-fed beef is leaner than grain-fed beef while still providing an adequate amount of protein and vitamins. Grass-fed beef also contains significantly higher amounts of beneficial fats like Omega-3s and CLA. It also has more antioxidants and contains higher amounts of Vitamin E and A. This makes grass-fed beef the clear winner when it comes to health benefits.

Grain-Fed

Grain-fed beef provides the same nutritional value as conventional beef. It’s a good source of protein and contains vitamins B12, B3, and B6. It also contains iron, selenium, and zinc. However, grain-fed beef has more fat content and contains more calories than grass-fed beef.

Grass-Fed vs Grain-Fed: Which Should You Pick?

Some people prefer the robust, beefy flavor of grass-fed beef, while others desire the more tender, mild flavor of grain-fed beef. Grass-fed beef takes longer to cultivate, so it’s typically more expensive. However, it's healthier and has less environmental impact. Others prefer the deep red coloring of grass-fed beef, while others desire the tenderness of grain-fed beef. Not sure which one to pick? Our expert butchers at Piccinini Bros can help you select the perfect cut for your dish.

High Quality Beef from Piccinini Bros: Family Butcher Shop in NYC

Our family has been serving Michelin-rated restaurants and fine eateries in NYC for decades. Now, you can bring restaurant-quality meats to your home kitchen through our retail shop. Whether you order your grass-fed beef online or stop by our historic butcher shop in Hell’s Kitchen, we always have a high-quality selection of meats to choose from. Order online or call us at 212-246-8277 today to place your order.