By Suzy, Tried and True
I'm picky about meat. In our house it has to come from animals raised on open pasture, eating grass the way they're meant to. But the labels in the grocery store don't make that easy to figure out. Here's what "grass-fed" and "grass-finished" actually mean, and where we buy beef we trust.
Almost all beef starts on grass
Most cattle in the U.S. spend the first part of their lives grazing on pasture. The difference comes at the end. According to Penn State Extension, about 95% of U.S. cattle are moved to a grain-based diet for the last 160 to 180 days of their lives, usually in a feedlot, to put on weight quickly. That's called grain-finished beef.
Grass-finished beef comes from cattle that stay on grass and other forage right up until processing. That's the part that matters if you want truly grass-raised beef.
What "grass-fed" means on a label
This is where it gets confusing. The USDA used to have a voluntary "grass-fed" marketing standard, but withdrew it in 2016. Today, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service approves grass-fed claims on meat labels case by case, and its guidance says the term should apply to cattle fed only grass and forage after weaning, with paperwork to back it up.
In practice, a label that just says "grass-fed" may not tell you the whole story. Look for:
"100% grass-fed" or "grass-fed and grass-finished" on the package
Certified organic, which also means no synthetic pesticides on the pasture and no antibiotics or added hormones
A farm that tells you plainly how its animals are raised
How grass-finished beef is different
Grass-finished beef is leaner, with less total fat than grain-finished beef, and many people find it has a richer, beefier flavor. Because it's lean, it cooks faster: pull steaks a little earlier than you're used to and let them rest.
Where we buy grass-finished beef
StarWalker Organic Farms, a ranch in Fort Jones, California. Their beef is certified organic and 100% grass-fed and grass-finished. This is our top pick.
US Wellness Meats, a long-trusted name for 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef, bone broth and organ meats, shipped frozen to your door.
A note on pork and chicken: pigs and chickens can't live on grass alone, so they almost always get supplemental feed, and that feed often contains soy. We only feature beef from these farms for that reason. If you avoid soy like we do, always check what the farm feeds its pork and poultry.
Tried and True may earn a commission when you shop through these links, at no extra cost to you. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
Sources: Penn State Extension: Grass-Fed Beef Production · USDA labeling guidance for grass-fed claims (via FERN)
