Grain-fed beef vs. grass-fed beef — what’s the difference?

Reading Time:

We’ve all been there — after a busy day or intense workout, you head to the grocery store to grab a quick, wholesome dinner. Yet what was supposed to be an in-and-out trip suddenly turns into reading labels and looking up claims in the meat aisle. Grain-fed beef? Grass-fed beef? Does it even matter?

Let’s dig into the differences between grain-fed beef and grass-fed beef — because, let’s be honest, enjoying a meal is more fun than staring at a label.

How are they different?

Grain-fed beef

Grain-finished Angus beef, like the cattle raised for Open Prairie^® Natural* Meats, are raised on pasture for about a year. Then, they are “finished” on a strict vegetarian diet of grains and roughage. We know what you’re thinking, “Grains and roughage? Is that… nutritious?”

Glad you asked — we use animal nutritionists to make sure the cattle receive a diet that meets their needs. So, the short answer? Yes! Grain-finished Angus cattle get all the nutrition they need. Plus, the meat is juicy and flavorful so the whole family can enjoy (even your picky 4-year-old).

Grass-fed beef

Grass-fed cattle spend their whole lives grazing from pastures. There’s not as much marbling in grass-fed beef, making the cut a little leaner. That means you may miss out on the opportunity to cook with the extra marbling (and, hello! Who wouldn’t want all that extra flavor?).

So, how does grain-fed Angus beef taste?

Our Angus beef is well-marbled and full of rich, juicy flavor! Even if you’re not super savvy in the kitchen, our Angus beef will help you feel like you are. Whether you’re throwing together a quick kid-friendly dinner, making a post-workout meal or serving friends, Open Prairie Natural Meats will help you feel like a star in the kitchen. Feel free to take all the credit.

Is grain-fed Angus beef as nutritious as grass-fed beef?

You bet it is! Beef is a natural source of more than 10 essential nutrients, including protein, iron, zinc and vitamins B12 and B6. The best part? You get all of that goodness and more with just a 3-ounce serving of beef (about the size of a deck of cards). High quality protein, like that found in beef, may help with muscle management and weight management.¹

Responsibly raised, grain-fed beef means a win for everyone

Ultimately, we know exactly where our meat is going — to you and your family. That’s why we pour so much effort into making sure the animals raised for the Open Prairie brand are responsibly raised and treated with care, respect and dignity through every step of the process.

It’s a win for everyone — the animals are healthy, we’re happy and you get a delicious meal you can feel good about. Here are some ways we keep ourselves accountable:

Animal welfare is our first priority

All animals are taken care of with veterinarian oversight and consultations. Taking proper care of the animals isn’t just in the best interest of the animal, but for everyone involved. It’s meat you can feel good about.

We’re trained in compassionate practices

Ranchers and farmers have been trained to measure, track and improve animal welfare practices. And with our Trusted Path™ Program, we can trace each cut of meat all the way back to the animal’s place of origin. So that Angus beef you’re serving for dinner could be from a small family-owned ranch in Texas, or maybe a Montana ranch that has been operating for more than 100 years!

We hold ourselves accountable — along with third-party auditors

Just like a gym buddy holds you accountable and makes SURE you do that last sit-up — we have our own version of that. Third-party auditors (like the Animal Welfare Advisory Panel) visit each farm and ranch to verify that our animal welfare standards and production claims are being met.

Grain-fed and full of promise

With so many options in the meat aisle (and lots of hungry bellies to fill at home), you want something you can feel good about feeding your family. You’re already a rock star parent, so when it comes to your meat, choose Open Prairie products. Angus cattle raised for the Open Prairie brand get an all-vegetarian, grain-finished diet with nothing added. In fact, every animal adheres to our Never Ever standards.