GRASS-FED BEEF
Recently, more and more customers have been asking about grass-fed beef. As the name implies, grass fed beef is from animals that are raised on a natural diet of grasses and other forage. Many people prefer grass fed because of its nutritional properties; compared to conventional beef it’s low in saturated fat, high in omega 3 fatty acids, and contains additional vitamins and nutrients.
Unfortunately, the term “grass fed” is sometimes misused by marketers who apply it to animals who start out raised on grass, but are later “finished” on a diet of grains to help accelerate their growth. Our grass-fed beef is 100% grass fed and finished. It comes from Beaver Brook Ranch in Hope, NJ, so it’s truly locally sourced.
Beaver Brook’s animals are pasture-raised, which means they spend time only on pastures, never on feed lots. Pasture-based farming greatly reduces the animals’ risk of disease, which allows them to be raised without the use of antibiotics or hormones. It’s also better for the planet, as it significantly reduces the production of CO2 and other greenhouse gasses.
Dry aging is the process of hanging the whole animal, or primal cuts, in a humidity and temperature-controlled environment. It’s also the best kept secret of many high-end steakhouses. Dry-aging helps ensure that meats cook up tender, juicy, and flavorful. We dry age our grass-fed beef for 14 days, so it’s quite different than the grass-fed beef you’ll find in grocery stores.
When preparing grass-fed beef, be sure to guard against overcooking. Generally it cooks a little faster because it’s more lean. If you plan to brown the meat, give it a coat of olive oil first. This will aid in the browning process and help prevent dryness. You may also benefit from tenderizing lean cuts like sirloin with a mallet, or using a marinade. See additional tips from the American Grassfed Association below.
We offer a variety of grass-fed cuts. Click here to see our selection. Use this form to place your order.