Are you looking for restaurants that serve grass-fed beef?
With the growing concern for healthier and more sustainable food options, it’s no surprise that more people are seeking out restaurants that use grass-fed beef in their dishes.
While some fast food chains have started to incorporate grass-fed beef into their menus, it can still be challenging to find restaurants that exclusively serve this type of meat.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the top restaurants across the country that are committed to using grass-fed beef in their dishes.
Whether you’re a health-conscious foodie or just looking to try something new, read on to discover where you can find delicious and sustainable grass-fed beef options.
What Restaurants Serve Grass Fed Beef?
1. Belcampo: This restaurant chain has locations in California, New York, and Louisiana. Belcampo is known for its commitment to sustainable and humane farming practices, and they own their own farms where they raise grass-fed beef. They also have their own processing facility and butcher shop, ensuring that their meat is of the highest quality.
2. BurgerFi: This fast-casual chain has locations across the United States and offers grass-fed beef burgers, as well as chicken and veggie burgers and natural-beef hot dogs. BurgerFi prides itself on using only the best ingredients, including grass-fed beef that is free from hormones and antibiotics.
3. Elevation Burger: With over 40 locations across the United States and internationally, Elevation Burger is a fast-food chain that uses 100% organic, grass-fed, free-range beef. They also offer vegetarian options and use eco-friendly packaging.
4. The Ranch Steakhouse: This Oklahoma City restaurant sources locally-sourced beef from small producers, but they also offer grass-fed beef upon request. The Ranch Steakhouse is committed to using high-quality ingredients and offers a variety of dishes that showcase their commitment to sustainability.
Why Choose Grass Fed Beef?
Grass-fed beef has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. Compared to conventional grain-fed beef, grass-fed beef is a great source of several vitamins and nutrients that help your body build stronger muscle and cartilage tissue. Grass-fed beef has been found to be higher in vitamins A, E, and other antioxidants compared to grain-fed beef, making it a healthier option overall.
One of the biggest benefits of grass-fed beef is that it has significantly lower levels of saturated fat compared to grain-fed beef. In fact, the fat content of grass-fed beef can be compared to skinless chicken. This makes it a great option for those looking to reduce their risk of heart disease. Additionally, lean meat such as grass-fed beef has been shown to have a positive effect on cholesterol levels.
Grass-fed beef is also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been found to help prevent and treat many diseases including heart disease, stroke, autoimmune responses such as lupus, eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, and a number of other conditions. Studies have also found that grass-fed beef contains more antioxidants than grain-fed beef, which help prevent cell damage that can lead to serious diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
Furthermore, grass-fed beef is a great source of high-quality protein. As part of a healthy lifestyle that incorporates good diet and exercise practices, the protein from grass-fed beef can help prevent sarcopenia — a loss of muscle mass that develops from a deficiency in protein over time. Beef also contains beta-alanine, an amino acid that helps your body form a compound called carnosine. Carnosine is important for muscle function, perhaps increasing your capacity and performance in high-intensity exercise.
Lastly, grass-fed beef is rich in iron, specifically heme iron which the body absorbs very easily. A deficiency in iron can cause anemia — a condition in which the blood has a reduced number of red blood cells and capacity to carry oxygen. The main symptoms of anemia are tiredness and weakness. Meat not only contains a form of iron that humans can absorb very efficiently, it also helps the body absorb non-heme iron present in plant-based foods.
Fast Food Chains That Serve Grass Fed Beef
While most fast food chains rely on factory-farmed beef, there are a few that offer grass-fed options. One such chain is BurgerFi, which has grown into a national franchise offering grass-fed beef burgers, along with chicken and veggie burgers and natural-beef hot dogs. Another fast food chain that uses grass-fed beef is Elevation Burger, which claims to use 100% organic, grass-fed, free-range beef. With over 40 locations across the United States and internationally, Elevation Burger also offers vegetarian options and uses eco-friendly packaging. Belcampo is another restaurant chain that offers grass-fed beef. With locations in California, New York, and Louisiana, Belcampo is known for its commitment to sustainable and humane farming practices. They own their own farms where they raise grass-fed beef and have their own processing facility and butcher shop to ensure the highest quality meat. Finally, The Ranch Steakhouse in Oklahoma City sources locally-sourced beef from small producers but also offers grass-fed beef upon request. The Ranch Steakhouse is committed to using high-quality ingredients and offers a variety of dishes that showcase their commitment to sustainability.
Top Restaurants Across The Country Serving Grass Fed Beef
If you’re looking for a fine dining experience with grass-fed beef, there are several top restaurants across the country that offer this option. Here are a few:
1. Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery: Located in San Antonio, Texas, Southerleigh sources their grass-fed beef from local ranches and offers a variety of dishes featuring this high-quality meat. They also brew their own beer on-site.
2. Amelia Farm and Market: Located in Amelia County, Virginia, this restaurant is situated in the midst of a pecan field and sources their own family-raised, 100% grass-fed beef. They also work closely with local producers for other sustainable meat and produce options.
3. Artango: This Chicago restaurant channels the spirit of Buenos Aires and offers a range of grilled meats, including grass-fed beef served with chimichurri or oyster-malbec sauce.
4. Urban Farmer: With locations in Denver, Philadelphia, and Portland, Urban Farmer believes in using local ingredients combined in innovative ways. Their Portland location offers sumptuous, grass and corn-fed local beef served with local wine and plenty of appetizing side dishes.
5. Taste of Texas: A Houston landmark famous for their perfectly-aged steaks and award-winning wine list, Taste of Texas sources their beef from local ranches and offers a variety of cuts to suit any taste.
6. Saltgrass Steak House: With locations across the United States, Saltgrass Steak House recaptures the flavor of the open campfire with steaks, chicken, and seafood chargrilled to perfection using grass-fed beef.
These restaurants are just a few examples of the many establishments across the country that offer grass-fed beef options for diners who are committed to sustainable and humane farming practices.
Grass Fed Beef Dishes To Try At These Restaurants
If you’re looking to try some delicious grass-fed beef dishes, these restaurants are a great place to start:
1. Belcampo: Belcampo offers a variety of grass-fed beef dishes, including burgers, steaks, and meatballs. Their grass-fed beef burger is a must-try, served with caramelized onions, pickles, and secret sauce on a brioche bun. If you’re in the mood for something heartier, try their grass-fed beef meatloaf, served with mashed potatoes and gravy.
2. BurgerFi: BurgerFi’s grass-fed beef burgers are a fan favorite, but they also offer a unique twist on traditional hot dogs with their natural-beef hot dogs. For something a little different, try their “Beyond Burger,” made with a plant-based patty that looks and tastes like beef.
3. Elevation Burger: Elevation Burger’s grass-fed beef burgers are simple yet delicious, allowing the quality of the meat to shine through. Their “Vertigo Burger” is a popular choice, topped with bacon, cheese, and Elevation sauce.
4. The Ranch Steakhouse: While The Ranch Steakhouse doesn’t specialize in grass-fed beef, they do offer it upon request. Their grass-fed ribeye is a standout dish, served with garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. For something lighter, try their grass-fed beef carpaccio, served with arugula and parmesan cheese.
No matter which restaurant you choose, trying grass-fed beef dishes is a great way to support sustainable farming practices while enjoying delicious food.
Benefits Of Eating Grass Fed Beef
Grass-fed beef has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its numerous health benefits. Compared to conventional grain-fed beef, grass-fed beef is a source of several vitamins and nutrients that help your cells fight damage and your body build stronger muscle and cartilage tissue. It is also packed with B vitamins and higher in vitamins A, E, and other antioxidants compared to grain-fed beef. Grass-fed beef has many of the same health benefits as grain-fed beef, but research has found a few added perks.
One of the benefits of eating grass-fed beef is its positive impact on heart health. Clinical evidence concludes a decreased risk of heart disease with an increased consumption of CLA, a nutrient abundant in grass-fed beef. Grass-fed beef can help improve your heart health by containing antioxidants such as vitamin E, high amounts of omega–3 fatty acids, less unhealthy fats, and lower amounts of bad cholesterol (known as LDL cholesterol), which is a marker of cardiovascular disease.
Grass-fed beef also has significantly lower levels of saturated fat compared to grain-fed beef. In fact, the fat content of grass-fed beef can be compared to skinless chicken. Replacing saturated fat in grain-fed beef with the unsaturated fat in grass-fed beef has been proven to reduce your risk of heart diseases. Lean meat, such as grass-fed beef, has been shown to actually have a positive effect on cholesterol levels.
In addition to its heart-healthy benefits, grass-fed beef can also help prevent anemia caused by iron deficiency. Beef is rich in iron, specifically a type called heme iron which the body absorbs very easily. Meat not only contains a form of iron that humans can absorb very efficiently, it also helps the body absorb non-heme iron present in plant-based foods.
Furthermore, grass-fed beef contains two to six times more omega-3 fatty acids than feed-lot beef. Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to help prevent and treat many diseases including heart disease, stroke, autoimmune responses such as lupus, eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, and a number of other conditions. Studies have also found that grass-fed beef contains more antioxidants than grain-fed beef. Antioxidants help prevent cell damage that can lead to serious diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
Lastly, grass-fed beef is higher in a beneficial fat called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) that’s been tied to improved immunity and anti-inflammation benefits. Plus, grass-fed beef packs about 50% more omega-3 fatty acids than standard beef (although the amount is still far lower than the total omega-3s found in fatty fish like salmon). Grass-fed beef is also less likely to contain “superbugs”—bacteria that have become resistant to three or more classes of antibiotics—so it’s considered superior from a food safety perspective as well.
How To Cook Grass Fed Beef At Home
Cooking grass-fed beef at home can be a bit different than cooking conventionally raised beef. Here are some tips to ensure that your grass-fed steak is juicy and flavorful:
1. Lower the cooking temperature: Grass-fed beef is leaner than its grain-fed counterpart, so it’s important to cook it at a slightly lower temperature for 30-50% less time. This will prevent the meat from becoming dry and tough.
2. Use a meat thermometer: Because grass-fed beef is leaner, there is less room for error when it comes to cooking temperature. Invest in a meat thermometer to ensure that your steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness.
3. Start at room temperature: Allow your steak to come to room temperature before cooking. This will help it cook more evenly and stay juicier.
4. Don’t overcook: Grass-fed beef cooks faster than conventionally raised beef, so be careful not to overcook it. Remove the steak from heat when it’s about 10 degrees lower than your desired internal temperature, and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing into it.
5. Avoid playing with your meat: Resist the urge to poke or prod your steak while it’s cooking. This can cause the juices to escape, resulting in a less juicy end result.
By following these tips, you can cook a delicious and tender grass-fed steak at home. And if you’re looking for high-quality grass-fed beef, check out restaurants like Belcampo, BurgerFi, Elevation Burger, and The Ranch Steakhouse that are committed to using sustainable and humane farming practices.