Does Grass-Fed Beef Actually Taste Different From Grain-Fed?

Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, there's a distinct difference in the flavor of grass-fed and grain-fed beef. Grass-fed beef is leaner, meaning it has less fat than grain-fed beef, which is known for its fatty marbling. Some say grass-fed beef has a "gamey" flavor that isn't quite as pronounced as, say, buffalo or deer meat, but is still slightly more than grain-fed beef. Because grass-fed beef is leaner, it's sometimes described as being more bland and dry than grain-fed beef. 

The flavor difference is in the fat content. "Fat is flavor" is a common adage in the culinary community, and it's proven true in the case of grass-fed versus grain-fed beef — the grain packs on the fat, which creates a juicy beef full of beef flavor. Grain-fed beef is also easier to cook, which will affect the taste. Dry beef that's too well done is not very tasty and grass-fed beef gets there sooner, something an unsuspecting home chef might overlook while cooking the beef up. An experienced chef will know how to season and cook with leaner, grass-fed beef. However, frequent beef eaters can still taste the difference much like they can between prime and choice beef.

Many farmers who feed their cattle with grain also let them graze in grassy pastures and eat hay. These cattle are still considered grain-fed because their diet is supplemented, but grain usually only amounts to around 10% of the cow's overall diet. The grain builds up the cow's fat reserves, creating the marbling that cooks love much faster than a purely grass-based diet. Because grass-fed cows never eat grain, they always have less fat. (Aldi has good grass-fed ground beef, if you're interested.)

Of course, there are other aspects to consider. For example, antibiotics and whether the cow was kept in a cage or allowed to walk around. Unfortunately, knowing what kind of diet the cow was fed doesn't tell you anything about these other areas, all of which can and do have an impact on the flavor of your beef. So, while knowing grass-fed beef is leaner and less marbled can be helpful information while you're cooking, it doesn't really merit the environmental, ethical, or nutritional accolades we commonly associate with the title.