What is Grass Fed Beef?
Grass fed beef means that the cattle ate nothing but grass, and foraged for their entire lives. However, some farms will start cattle raising in this manner, but then either supplement the diet with grain, or completely finish the cattle growing process with grain in order to fatten up the cows so there will be more marbling, and eliminate the “gaminess” that grass fed might have due to the nutritional complexity of pasture grasses
Which Restaurants Serve Grass Fed Beef?
Consumers are demanding more grass fed beef, and many restaurants are including sustainability, and farm to table concepts in their menus
Restaurants will typically write directly on the menu if the beef is grass fed, plus list the farm their beef comes from. You and look at the website of the farm to find out more about the beef. You may want to inquire as to if the beef is not only grass fed, but “grass finished,” because some farmers call beef grass fed, but then also provide some grain, or completely finish growing the cattle on grain
If you cannot get information from the farm, you could consider calling the restaurant to speak to the chef
Why is Grass Fed Beef Tough?
Grass fed beef is lean and muscular, so can be tough if not aged. If you do not want to age your beef, try one of these techniques below.
How to Tenderize Grass Fed Beef
Use a meat tenderizing tool with small needles to puncture the surface of the beef, or a meat mallet. Just a light overall pounding with one of these tools will tenderize the beef. Don’t beat it so hard that you flatten the beef.
Marinating cuts like the flank steak in this post prepares it for grilling. Anything acidic in your marinade will help the tenderizing process. I used lemon zest (which also helps to remove gaminess), and cooking wine, but you can use any variety of vinegar or lemon juice
Once cooked, rest your meat or the juices will run out, making the meat dry! Resting meat about five minutes per inch of meat thickness allows the juices to redistribute into the meat. It can be tempting to cut right into your beef when it’s done, but do not skip this step, and this is true for any meat that you prepare, grass fed or not. I like to tent my meats with parchment because I do not cook with aluminum. Don’t wrap it too tightly, or the temperature will increase, overcooking your meat.
Always slice thinly, and against the grain by using a sharp knife, and cutting crosswise. I like to use a blade with a “Granton” edge, which means the length of the blade is lined with little scallops in the stainless steel to create air pockets between the knife and the meat, decreasing friction, and allowing the meat to fall away from the knife, instead of sticking to it.
How to Cook Grass Fed Beef
If you are grilling, like this flank steak, heat the grill to medium and so long as it is palatable for you, do not cook it beyond medium rare. I typically like my steaks medium rare, but go a little more towards rare with grass fed beef. I cooked this flank steak about 4 minutes per side on a medium grill. A good thermometer is your best friend. You can always cook a steak more, but you cannot “uncook” it
If you are preparing a larger cut of meat like a chuck roast, braise in cooking liquid over low heat in an oven proof pot. I like to sear my beef, then add the rest of my ingredients, which usually includes something acidic like wine and/or citrus, and transfer to a crock pot, or a low oven for about four hours, or until it starts to fall apart. Ovens can vary in temperature, but anywhere from 275 degrees F to 325 degrees F should produce tender, fall-apart results
How Does Grass Fed Beef Taste?
It is often described as being “gamier,” as it has more minerality from pasture grasses, versus the sweeter, and richer taste of exclusively corn fed beef. The omega-3 fatty acids also contribute to the gamy taste, and the flavor is sometimes referred to as “fishy.”
Is Grass Fed Beef Healthier?
Pound for pound, grass fed beef has less fat, saturated fat, and calories than corn fed cattle, plus about five times the amount of inflammation fighting omega-3 fatty acids.
Research has shown that displacing corn fed beef with grass fed may reduce your risk for heart disease
How is Grass Fed Beef Better for the Environment?
Grass fed beef is more sustainable, nutrient dense, and ethically raised. The animals have room to graze, and they reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Local land use may be improved if cattle graze on land that would not be suitable for farming
Instagram Tutorial on Grilling Grass Fed Flank Steak
Check out the IG reel, and follow me HERE
Marinade ingredients with Asian flavors below that will surely be a hit, and keep your grass fed beef moist and juicy
Marinate your steak for at least two hours.
You can use this marinade with chicken or pork, too!
Marinade for a 2# flank steak
-2 tbsp grated fresh ginger
-4 cloves garlic, crushed
-2 tbsp hoisin sauce
-Zest of one lemon
-1/4 cup + 2 tbsp tamari
-1/2 cup Chinese cooking wine
-1 tbsp fresh ground black pepper
-1/4 cup good olive oil
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