Cooking Grassfed Beef

Cooking naturally raised, grass fed and grass finished beef requires a different mindset from cooking supermarket beef, which is taken from animals that were unnaturally fattened with grains and other substances. 

Our beef has a deeper beef flavor that reflects the grasses, clover and other forages our animals eat.  While all the forages they've consumed gives their meat a higher level of healthful Omega-3 fatty acids, it contains less fat.  You need to take that reduced fat into account when cooking.

Generally, you want to quickly sear the outside to seal in the juices, and then slowly cook the remainder of the time to reach the lowest temperature that suites your taste. Overcooking is the most common mistake made in preparing grass fed beef.

More Cooking Tips

The golden rules for cooking grass fed and finished beef are --- don't overcook it and never use a microwave! 

Since grass finished meat has less fat than feedlot beef, it's more solid and will cook faster. You will likely need to cut back the cooking time or reduce the cooking temperature from what you may have done in the past with supermarket meats.

Avoid using salty or soy based liquid marinades since salt tends to draw the juices out of meat. It's better to use spice rubs or marinades that are oil and herb based. If you want to add salt, do it at the last minute, or in the pan while cooking.

You may also try to adapt your taste preference a bit, in terms of doneness. This is a different product. Cooking to a lower internal temperature results in juicier meat, and it's healthier for you. Charred meat is never recommended, and meats from pastured animals are much less likely to have hazardous bacteria that you need to incinerate!  Don't overcook it.

So, if you're a "medium" person, try it a bit rarer than you would normally. But if you insist on having your meat well done, then add some marinade to keep the surface moist and cook as slowly as possible. If you're cooking on the grill, use indirect heat to finish the cooking process, rather than cooking over the flame. That's a good approach in general, but especially if you aim to cook it medium to well done.

No matter how you cook, it's best to use a meat thermometer so you can consistently cook it the way you like it. Then let the beef sit covered in a warm place for a few minutes after removing it from the heat to let the juices redistribute.

     To cook the perfect grass-fed steak:

To cook the perfect steak make sure to use these techniques as your first and last step. First, bring the steak up to room temperature by placing the still packaged steak on the counter for one half hour. Cook steak as mentioned above. Remove from heat and wrap the steak in aluminum foil. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes in this wrapped state. This allows the steak to finish cooking as well as keep the steak in a moist environment. The steak will rest in its own juices creating the perfect delicious steak. The chance for the steak to rest is very important.

     To cook perfect grass-fed ground beef:

We simply cook it in a cast iron skillet, hot to begin and sear, then to your desired doneness.  Most find our ground beef to have the perfect ratio of fat to beef, so it's not too lean and it cooks well without being dry.  Generally, there's very little fat to pour out when you are finished cooking and, if there is, it just makes your meat juicy.  Add your seasoning after you cook the beef.    

Overall, once the meat is sealed, slow, low temperature cooking is a great approach for cooking all naturally raised meats. And that brings us to...

Roasts and Tougher Cuts

Some of the tastiest and most tender beef cuts are the ones that start out the toughest, but are also the least expensive!  You normally won't even find them in the grocery store because they're often made into ground beef.  What a waste!  Brisket, chuck roast, eye round, rump, beef shank (osso buco) and others are economical and delicious when properly cooked.

The key to all of them is the same - braising. Brown them, and then cook them in a covered pan with a small amount of liquid for a number of hours. You can use a dutch oven, a clay cooker, a crockpot, or any covered, oven safe roasting pan.

The tougher meats have a distinctive pattern of fat and connective tissue that runs though them. When cooked in dry heat (roasted), the fat and sinew do not break down thoroughly, even after many hours in the oven. They become hard and dry. 

Cooking in moist heat (braising) promotes a more complete breakdown of the fat and connective tissue, giving you delicious, tender meat you can just about cut with a fork. As a bonus, the liquid in the pan will take on a full and rich beef flavor that will make the entire meal special. And the smells will make it hard to wait!