Grass-fed vs. corn-fed beef

Epicurean Exploits - Food and Recipes
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My wife is pushing me on grass-fed beef because it’s the natural food for cows, and corn is not, however, all the great beef seems to be corn fed.

I’ve had grass fed before, and it is noticeably tougher, lower in fat and marbling, and has an herbal quality to it, which I don’t mind. I do miss the richness of a good corn-fed beef, though.

Discuss.

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My favorite vegetable (no grain comments Leenda) is corn fed beef. No question that it has a richer taste and much more tender texture.

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+1

The difference is very noticeable for all the reasons mentioned above.

4

I’ll also add that I enjoy Wagyu/Kobe as well and they are fed high energy foods such as the remnants from beer and sake brewing.

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I’ll go out on a limb and say that geography may play a part on preference. I’ve had grass-fed here in the states that was truly inferior to corn-fed. Nonetheless, during my honeymoon in Argentina, had some of the most delicious and tender beef ever. Most, if not all, Argentinean beef is grass-fed.

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No question that corn fed TASTES better, at least in my limited experience, but it’s just a bit creepy to me that cows need to consume immense amounts of antibiotics and other stuff to be able to digest the corn.

Too bad grass fed doesn’t have the tenderness and marbling…

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Breed vs. Feed?

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Then the trick might be to find some decent grass fed beef here in the states…any luck, anyone?

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http://www.grassfedmeat.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Read The Onmivores Dilemma.

That being said, when I was a t FFII I was asking Byran Flannery about this question, and he selects cows from farms that corn finish, but use no antibiotics, etc. It sounds like he gets the next best thing to grass fed as far as the humane issue is concerned.

There is a farm just a couple of miles from me that raises and sells grass finished, but the smallest quantity I could buy is and eighth of a beef. Then I’d have to buy a frezer, yada yada yada. :stuck_out_tongue:

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New York area only…

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I have talked with Carrie, the CEO, at this outfit:

http://www.oliverranch.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good representation of what she is doing there:

http://www.oliverranchcompany.com/comparisonchart.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Disclaimer: I have no financial interest in Oliver Ranch

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Don’t you have a buddy in ATL with a private jet? [tease.gif]

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These are not technically grass fed - they all do have a combination of corn as well.

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That is what she has to offer today. She rotates products, so a true grass fed critter occasionally shows up.

16

I recently decided to phase out corn fed beef in favor of grass fed. It’s more natural for the cow, healthier for me, yadayada.

Ultimately, I wanted to know if I would be able to actually eat the grass fed stuff. After some due diligence, I found a purveyor in CA (wanted the freshest meat possible) and placed a mixed 20 lb order.

So far, I’ve been really pleased with the grass fed beef. Unlike the gamey grass fed beef Whole Foods sells, the beef I ordered was very tasty.

Besides the obvious differences i.e. less marbling, etc. the taste of the grass fed was cleaner and beefier than corn fed.

My favorite cuts so far are the flank, flat iron and the brisket; the ground beef is quite good too, but there is a slight chewiness that you don’t get with “regular” beef.

Cooking it hasn’t proved to be a challenge at all although I did prep a london broil with a wet marinade and I didn’t like the outcome. The best prep for grass fed is like they do in South America; just sprikle it generously with coarse salt and grill it. Of course, a dry rub works really well too.

The other thing I love about grass fed is that since it’s a leaner meat, I can eat it much more frequently than “regular” beef.

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Do you mind sharing where you found this beef, rather, where I can get it also?

I haven’t been pleased with the ‘let’s share a grass fed cow’ beef that some friends end up pitching to one another.

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These sites were very helpful with finding a ranch: Eat Wild - Find Your State and http://www.localharvest.org

Also, there was an NPR story on the purveyor I ultimately chose; http://www.openspacemeats.com

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Love corn-fed. I find that it’s richer. Hard to find though, any one know of any good purveyors?

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Seriously?