Beef that is finely chopped with a meat grinder is referred to as ground meat. Many recipes like hamburgers, sausages, cottage pies, and spaghetti Bolognese use ground beef. The contents of lean ground beef vary from country to country. Special categories for its contents are defined by the food laws in respective countries. It is a relatively cheap form of beef that can be cooked very quickly. It is generally made from the less tender and relatively less popular forms of beef.

What Is Lean Ground Beef?

Primarily, ground beef is made up of lean protein and fat. When you see any packaged ground beef, a ratio ranging from 73/27 to 96/4 appears. This number is known as the lean point. The ratio represents the lean-to-fat ratio of that particular grind. In lean ground beef, the percentages of zinc and iron are slightly higher.

Various grinds of beef offer different tastes. Hence, it is crucial to understand the various lean points and their applications:

  • 73/27 to 81/19 - Also referred to like 70% lean, it offers exceptional flavour and juiciness. It is best for use in burgers, meatloaves.
  • 83/17 to 89/11 A - It offers great texture and delicious flavour. It is best for use in meatballs and pizza toppings.
  • 90/10 to 92/8 - It is best for use as a cooking ingredient. They are widely used in Lasagna, tacos, and spaghetti.
  • 93/7 to 96/4 - It is the leanest grind available. It is best for use in tostadas, cabbage rolls, and stuffed peppers.

Benefits

Beef contributes to your daily protein food intake. Many grinds of beef also have saturated fat. This impacts negatively on your cardiovascular health. Consuming lean ground beef allows us to reap the benefits of beef, excluding the saturated fat. There are 196 calories and 10 grams of fat in three ounces of 90 per cent lean ground beef. Fresh lean beef is rich in various minerals and vitamins, especially iron and zinc. Moderate intake of this grind is highly recommended as a part of a healthy diet.

The presence of iron boosts the production of red blood cells in your body. Vitamin B-12 is also found in lean beef. It also aids in red blood cells production, playing an essential role in haemoglobin synthesis. It helps prevent iron deficiency anaemia. Lean beef is also a rich source of Coenzyme Q10, which is an antioxidant. Coenzyme Q10 protects your cells from harmful free radicals formed as a byproduct of your metabolism and environmental toxins.

We will now discuss various recipes that can be made using lean ground beef.

Low-Carb “Tacos”

This is a great low-carb alternative to regular homemade tacos. It contains brown seasoned ground beef combined with diced onions, shredded lettuce, jalapeno pepper, tomato, salsa, and avocado. It is rich in calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and sodium.

Momma’s Healthy Meatloaf

It is a favourite family recipe, which is very healthy and simple. It contains extra-lean ground beef with loads of fresh vegetables. It is super moist and flavourful and is a healthy and traditional recipe. It is rich in vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium, and potassium.

Abuela’s Picadillo

It combines lean ground beef with butternut squash, olive, and hot sauces. It is rich in proteins and carbohydrates. It contains many vitamins and is rich in sodium, potassium, and magnesium.

Asian Lettuce Wraps

It is a delicious and flavourful recipe that uses lean ground beef and many fresh vegetables. It has high proportions of necessary vitamins and is rich in minerals.

Conclusion

Lean ground beef is a relatively healthier cut of ground beef that is low in saturated fat. It has many benefits for human health but must be consumed within a limit. It can be used as the principal ingredient in several recipes, as discussed above. Its juicy and flavourful taste never leaves any tongue disappointed.