Should you prepare grass-fed beef differently?

Grass-fed beef tastes different than grain-fed beef. Some will prefer its “leaner” taste, others will find it blander than grain-fed beef. However, the way grass-fed beef is cooked makes all the difference in how it tastes!

Here are 5 tips for properly preparing and cooking your grass-fed beef so that it is as flavorful and tender as possible:

1. Season well before cooking

Salting or marinating the beef ahead of time can add lots of flavor to your dish! Time gives the seasonings a chance to penetrate the meat. If your beef is frozen and you want to marinate it for a few hours, thaw in the refrigerator. If you use another method, such as thawing in cold water or in the microwave, you should cook it immediately for safety reasons. For a more complete defrosting guide, you can consult our defrosting guide.

2. Cook slowly and low

Grass-fed beef is a lower-fat meat. This means that meat can become drier and tough quickly when cooked over high heat. The advice is therefore to cook grass-fed beef at lower, gentle temperatures and preferably over indirect heat.

3. Thermometer VS Timer

Use a thermometer for thicker cuts of grass-fed beef and a timer for thinner cuts of beef. Generally speaking, cooking time is 5 to 7 minutes per pound of beef at 325˚F. It can be difficult to get an accurate reading with a thermometer when used on a thinner cut of beef because the thermometer passes through to the other side of the cut.

4. Check the internal temperature carefully

The internal temperature for proper cooking of grass-fed beef is lower than for grain-fed beef. Be sure to remove meat from heat 10˚F below desired final temperature.

Cooking guide:

Rare: 120˚F

Medium – Rare: 125˚F

Medium – Well done: 135˚F

Well done: 140˚F

5. Let stand before serving

Let the meat rest for 10-15 minutes after removing it from the heat. This allows the juices from the meat to distribute evenly and result in a more tender and flavorful final product.

Now that you know the benefits of grass-fed beef as well as the tips for preparing it properly, all you need to do is try it! If you're like us, you won't be able to live without grass-fed beef products.  after trying them!