What you need to know about grass-fed beef

You may have heard that a growing number of ranchers are letting their livestock graze out in the fields, rather than feed on fattening grain, corn or soy. How nice for those roaming cows, but why should any of us care-and plop down more money to keep up their lifestyle? According to Jo Robinson, founder of eatwild.com, a site that links shoppers to grass-based meat sources, the grass-fed variety is worth every penny because it's better for…

…YOU
Pasture-raised beef has more than twice the amount of omega-3 fatty acids and higher levels of vitamin E than meat from grain-fed animals, as well as less fat and fewer calories naturally. It also has a stronger, beefier flavor.

…THE ANIMAL
Since grass is a cow's native diet, the animals who get to graze on it full-time live low-stress, healthy lives-so there's no reason to treat them with antibiotics or other drugs, as with some conventionally raised meats.

…THE FARMERS
Cows can yield around 100 pounds of hamburger meat each. Although the grass-fed variety is top-quality, "it's hard [for farmers] to sell all that hamburger meat without an outlet like McDonald's," Robinson says. By buying it, you're helping sustain and support small farms.

…THESE RECIPES
Admittedly, some grass-fed steaks can be drier and chewier than their grain-fed counterparts. Grinding helps to tenderize the meat, and so does steady, low-heat cooking, Robinson says. Try these recipes:

BEEF STEW
Cook up a hearty, rustic, slow-cooked meal by braising meat in red wine till it melts in the mouth, creating a deeply savory sauce.

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MEAT 'N' POTATOES BREAD BOWL
This recipe calls for beef chuck, which you cube to cut down the cooking time to just an hour for a rich, tomato-y dinner.

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DECONSTRUCTED LASAGNA
Lasagna, any night! It's easy to take your ground sirloin and chase the chill away with this comforting 30-Minute Meal.

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CHEESY MEATBALLS
Blending parmesan and pecorino cheeses before you cook the meatballs adds extra moisture to grass-fed beef chuck.

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KNIFE 'N' FORK STEAK BURGERS WITH BLUE CHEESE POTATOES
Here, the beefier flavor of the ground sirloin plays off the earthy mushroom sauce and tangy blue cheese. You're going to need your steak knife!

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BEEF 'N' BEAN BURRITO BURGERS
These two-handed burgers are stuffed with black beans, rice and ground beef: "Burritos are fun, but burrito burgers are a change from the same old, same old!" says Rachael.

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By Every Day with Rachael Ray staff

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