Grass Fed vs. Corn Fed Beef. What's the Difference?

 

Say it with me: Not all beef is created equal.

 

Over the past several years, a new debate has started to emerge. That debate is the idea of corn-fed beef versus grass-fed beef. What’s the difference? Which is better? Which should you buy? Who cares?

 

Well, like most things we cover at Grillaholics, there’s no objective, indisputable truth. Corn-fed beef has its advantages, while grass-fed beef does as well. Choosing which you want to buy depends on a variety of factors. Each type of beef has its own list of pros and cons, and luckily, we’re here to help sort it out.

 

One thing we should point out is that all cattle eat grass for the vast majority of their lives -- yes, even so-called ‘corn-fed’ cows. The difference comes from the finishing. Grass-fed beef spends its final days on the same grass diet, where corn-fed beef finishes its life on a more expensive grain or corn-based diet. The distinction often comes down to economics for farmers: it’s cheaper to finish a cow’s life on corn than it is on a grass-based diet.

 

So, let’s start with grass-fed beef. One thing you’ll notice about grass-fed beef is that it’s almost always significantly more expensive. And we’re not nickel-and-diming, here: sometimes it can be well over $5 more per pound. The reason for this is that it takes much longer for cows to reach their ‘processing’ weight on a diet of grass. By using corn, cows bulk up much more quickly towards the end of their lives. Grass-fed beef is thought to be more sustainable and eco-friendly, but it’s significantly more expensive to produce.

 

For your money, though, you’re going to get a more nutrient-dense product. Grass-fed beef is also going to be much leaner and, for these reasons, some say healthier. This lack of fat means a meatier product that is often cited as being less indulgent, but more healthy. Also, cows are generally happier to eat grass than corn, if that makes any sort of difference.

 

On the other hand, corn-fed beef has a lot to offer. Finishing a cow’s life on a corn-based diet makes for a fattier and bulkier animal. This is going to drive down the cost of your beef, while also driving up the flavor. Unfortunately, cattle aren’t naturally accustomed to eating a corn-based diet, so farmers are forced to inject their animals with antibiotics to prevent illness. When you’re eating corn-fed beef, you’re also eating these antibiotics.

 

But, corn-fed beef is almost objectively better-tasting. It comes with a certain buttery, melt-in-your-mouth quality that many people look for in their steaks. Additionally, the extra fat means corn-fed beef is a bit harder to over (or under) cook, making it a little more beginner-friendly.

 

In reality, the choice is yours. It just comes down to what you value in your steaks or roasts, as there’s no definitive ‘best’ option. Our advice? Get one of each, grill them side-by-side, and have a taste test!

 

Worst-case-scenario, you’re eating two steaks.