ethical meat choices

In recent years, more people have started paying attention to where their food comes from, especially when it comes to meat. One term that’s been popping up more and more is “grass-finished beef.” But what exactly does that mean—and is it really better than the alternatives?

Let’s break it down.

Grass-Finished vs. Grass-Fed

First, it’s important to understand the difference between “grass-fed” and “grass-finished.” All cattle start out eating grass, but most are eventually moved to feedlots and finished on grain to fatten them up quickly. When beef is labeled “grass-fed,” it doesn’t necessarily mean the animal ate only grass for its entire life. "Grass-finished" means the animal was raised on a pasture and ate only grass or forage from start to finish—no corn, no soy, no feedlot.

Health Benefits

Grass-finished beef tends to be