When shopping for meat, many consumers choose ground beef for its versatility. It can be found in burgers, tacos, and more. Most grocery stores offer different types of ground beef. Each type varies by its fat content and which cuts of meat are used. Many online retailers also sell specialty meats like grass-fed beef and heritage chicken. They may offer these cuts at prices significantly less than the supermarket.
Convenience
Buying ground beef online is convenient for getting the meat you need without visiting a grocery store. Instead of stocking a freezer, you can purchase your meat in bulk when it’s on sale and deliver it straight to your door. This can help you save on the cost of a freezer and the energy costs of running it.
The options can be overwhelming at the grocery store when shopping for ground beef. The different varieties available often include a mix of cuts of beef and various lean-to-fat ratios. This is why many prefer to buy ground beef online. Some brands even use a labeling system to distinguish between cuts of meat that vary in taste and musculature, such as “ground chuck” versus “ground sirloin.” The good news is that most ground beef sold today is required by law to contain only beef with no added water, fillers, or binders. Many companies also source their meat from local farms and small butcher shops rather than large meat packing plants, so each package of ground beef contains the meat of only one animal. This helps reduce the risk of contamination from harmful bacteria like E. coli.
Grocery stores that offer grass-fed beef online can provide you with a higher quality cut for the same price as what’s on sale at your average supermarket. This can give you better-tasting burgers and other dishes that require ground beef while supporting a local family farm and helping your community’s economy.
Variety
Ground beef is one of the most versatile foods in your pantry. It can make burgers, tacos, casseroles, and anything else that calls for minced meat. But did you know that it comes from all sorts of different parts of the cow? And the difference in fat content can be significant.
If you’re a savvy grocery shopper, you may notice that ground beef comes in packages with different ratios stamped on the label. You can find lean options with 5-10% fat and those with as much as 20%. When you choose your ground beef, it’s also important to consider the grind type. Grinding meat into a finer consistency makes it easier to work with. But, different grinds have varying amounts of fat, which impacts the flavor and texture.
Quality
While ground beef may look the same in most grocery stores and butcher shops, it can differ significantly when you buy online. The type you choose depends on the ratio of fat to meat and where the cut is taken from the cow, which affects flavor and texture.
Higher-quality ground beef generally contains less fat and more muscle, but you can also find leaner options for those looking to keep calories down. You can also select the best ground beef for a specific recipe or cooking style and consider other factors, such as sustainability and ethical farming practices.
Most online butchers offer clear and detailed labeling about their product, including beef’s fat and lean percentages. Some also provide information about the farm from which the beef is sourced and the grade it has received. Meat that has been graded is typically more expensive than lower-graded beef, but it offers better juiciness and marbling.
In addition to providing protein and iron, ground beef is a source of several key vitamins and minerals. Zinc is an essential nutrient for immune function, while selenium helps to protect against cancer. It’s also a good source of B vitamins, which help to support healthy cell growth and metabolism and contribute to energy levels. However, it’s important to remember that ground beef is high in saturated fat and cholesterol, so you should limit your intake.
Savings
When it comes to preparing meals, ground beef is an essential item. It can make Taco Tuesday a little more filling or your Labor Day barbecue more satisfying. It’s inexpensive and can be mixed with different ingredients to provide a diverse palate. However, the variety of options in the meat section can make it hard to know what type to buy.
Different types of ground beef are sold in stores with varying levels of fat content and which part of the cow it came from. For example, ground chuck is made from tougher and less popular animal cuts, while ground sirloin may contain trimmings from more savory steaks. In either case, the fat percentage isn’t specified by law, so it’s up to you to read the label and decide what you want to purchase.