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The Daily Insight

What is extra lean ground beef

Author

David Edwards

Updated on May 23, 2026

“Extra lean” ground beef is at least 90 percent lean protein by weight. As shown below, a 3-ounch serving of 90% extra-lean ground beef has less fat, more protein and fewer calories per serving than 80% lean ground beef. The amount of iron and zinc is slightly higher in leaner ground beef.

What is the difference between lean ground beef and extra lean ground beef?

The difference between grades has to do with their fat content. Extra-lean ground beef has no more than 10 percent fat, lean tops out at 17 percent, medium has at most 23 percent and regular contains a maximum of 30 percent fat.

What does extra lean beef mean?

The USDA defines an extra-lean cut of beef as a 3.5-ounce serving (about 100 grams) that contains less than: 5 grams total fat. 2 grams saturated fat. 95 milligrams cholesterol.

Is Extra Lean Ground Beef bad for you?

A quarter pound of 95 percent lean ground beef contains 6 grams of fat, 70 milligrams of cholesterol, 24 grams of protein and 83 grams of water. Comparing these two, we see that the uncooked extra-lean beef has more water and more protein but less fat and cholesterol than an equal weight of the regular ground beef.

Whats the difference between lean and extra lean meat?

Lean means that 100 grams of beef (about 3 1/2 ounces) have less than 10 grams of fat, 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat, and less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol. Extra Lean means that 100 grams of beef with less than 5 grams of fat, less than 2 grams of saturated fat, and less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol.

Is 93% lean ground beef good for burgers?

A 70/30 blend is going to be 70% lean meat and 30% fat. That means 93/7 has almost no fat. Do not think for one minute you’re going to get a juicy, mouthwatering burger with a 93/7 blend. It’s too lean and with burgers, you need some fat.

Is extra-lean ground beef good for burgers?

For a tasty burger, get ground beef that’s labeled around 20% fat (which means 80% lean) or more. Since burgers are really all about the beef, stay away from extra-lean ground beef, which will cook up dry and tough. Beyond fat content, freshly ground is always great, especially if they do it in-store or to order.

What meat helps you lose weight?

  • CHICKEN BREASTS. These are the easiest to get hold of and most familiar. …
  • RABBIT. This used to be a common sight on British dinner tables but is less popular today despite being one of the leanest meats around. …
  • VENISON. …
  • PHEASANT. …
  • OSTRICH.

Which ground beef is healthiest?

Ground round and ground sirloin have the lowest fat content and are the two lightest, healthiest options.

Why is lean ground beef more expensive?

You pay more per lb because you are getting more meat and less fat. We sell 90% lean since we don’t add extra fat or water to the ground beef to cheapen it up.

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Is leaner ground beef better?

Regular ground beef is 70 to 85 percent lean. There are 230 calories and 13 grams of fat in three ounces of 70 percent lean ground beef. Lean ground beef is 90 to 95 percent lean. … Draining meat can lower the fat content, but you’re better off buying lean meat from the start, Krieger says.

What is the healthiest red meat?

  • Pork: Choose lean options of pork such as a pork loin, tenderloin and center cut chops. …
  • Steak: Choose leaner cuts of steak such as flank, round, sirloin, tenderloin and ball tip. …
  • Ground meat: A variety of meats are available ground – chicken, turkey, pork and beef.

What is the leanest red meat?

The leanest cuts are the sirloin, rib chop, loin chop, and top round. A three-ounce trimmed portion of a sirloin cut provides 150 calories or fewer per serving. Avoid fattier veal cutlets and breast meat.

Is 80/20 ground beef lean or medium?

That refers to the makeup of the meat, not its nutritional content, Underly told us “80/20” means a breakdown of 80 percent lean beef to 20 percent fat, typically ground chuck. “85/15” is 85 percent lean and 15 percent fat (ground round) and “90/10” is 90 percent lean and 10 percent fat (ground sirloin).

Is lean ground beef healthy for weight loss?

Lean beef Lean beef is among the best sources of protein in existence and loaded with highly bioavailable iron. Choosing the fatty cuts is fine if you’re on a low-carb diet.

How do you make extra lean ground beef moist?

  1. 1-2 Tbsp Water per pound of meat.
  2. Ketchup.
  3. Steak Sauce.
  4. BBQ Sauce.
  5. Soy Sauce.
  6. Hot Sauce.
  7. Mustard.
  8. Tomato Juice.

What is the best ground beef to use for hamburgers?

The best ground beef to buy for burgers is 80/20 ground chuck – 80% lean meat and 20% fat. Ground chuck is ground from the shoulder and has that ideal lean-to-fat ratio of 80/20 (i.e. not too lean) for a super flavorful, juicy burger. Ground round comes from the back of the cow, near the tail, upper leg, and rump.

What is the best ground beef for grilling hamburgers?

Ground beef with an 80/20 mix is the best for grilled burgers—this means a mix 80 percent lean beef and 20 percent fat. The 80/20 ground beef you would buy in the supermarket is usually ground chuck, which is great for burgers.

What is the best tasting ground beef?

This ground beef is the juiciest and most flavorful. Ground chuck: Ground chuck contains 15 to 20% fat and comes from the front area of the animal around the shoulder. This is a great all-purpose ground beef since it is not as fatty as regular ground beef but still has good flavor.

What's the difference between medium and lean ground beef?

Lean ground beef has a maximum of 17 per cent fat, medium ground beef has no more than 23 per cent fat and regular ground beef contains, at most, 30 per cent fat. … Lean and extra-lean ground beef work well in all recipes, with the added benefit of providing fewer calories and saturated fat (even after cooking).

What is the leanest hamburger?

The cut the meat is ground from dictates the amount of fat; sirloin is typically the leanest cut used for ground beef. Select 95 percent extra lean ground beef for the lowest levels of cholesterol and a healthy source of nutrients when eaten in moderation.

What is the healthiest meat to eat?

  1. Sirloin Steak. Sirloin steak is both lean and flavorful – just 3 ounces packs about 25 grams of filling protein! …
  2. Rotisserie Chicken & Turkey. The rotisserie cooking method helps maximize flavor without relying on unhealthy additives. …
  3. Chicken Thigh. …
  4. Pork Chop. …
  5. Canned Fish.

Which meat is the unhealthiest?

Lamb typically has more saturated fat — which can raise your levels of bad cholesterol, putting you at higher risk of cardiovascular disease — than beef or pork. T-bones, rib-eye and New York strip steak tend to be fattier forms of beef when compared to ground rounds, sirloin or flank steak.

Is peanut butter good for weight loss?

Peanut butter is a good source of protein that can promote the feeling of fullness and result in fat loss. It may also reduce your appetite and help you consume limited calories. This will help you lose weight. You may also experience better metabolism with the consumption of peanut butter.

How can I lose my belly fat in a week?

  1. Include aerobic exercises in your daily routine. …
  2. Reduce refined carbs. …
  3. Add fatty fish to your diet. …
  4. Start the day with a high protein breakfast. …
  5. Drink enough water. …
  6. Reduce your salt intake. …
  7. Consume soluble fiber.

What can I eat to lose belly fat?

  • Beans. “Becoming a bean lover can help you lose weight and whittle your middle,” registered dietitian Cynthia Sass told Today. …
  • Swap your beef for salmon. …
  • Yogurt. …
  • Red bell peppers. …
  • Broccoli. …
  • Edamame. …
  • Diluted vinegar.

What does 93 percent lean ground beef mean?

You might see “80% lean,” “90% lean,” or “93% lean” on ground beef packages. “Extra lean” ground beef is at least 90 percent lean protein by weight. As shown below, a 3-ounch serving of 90% extra-lean ground beef has less fat, more protein and fewer calories per serving than 80% lean ground beef.

How do you cook lean ground beef without drying it out?

Leaner blends have less fat, thus less shrinkage. Generally, the higher the cooking temperature, the greater the shrinkage, so cook ground beef at a moderate temperature rather than high heat. Overcooking will result in a dry, tasteless result as the juices evaporate.

What is lean meat mean?

To be considered lean, a 3-oz serving of cooked beef must have less than 10 grams of total fat, 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat, and less than 95 mg of cholesterol.

What are the 3 foods to never eat?

  • White flour.
  • Bread.
  • Pasta.
  • Rice.
  • Baked goods.
  • Snack goods.
  • Breakfast cereals.

Is turkey bacon better for you?

Turkey bacon has slightly fewer calories and fat than pork bacon and can be a healthier option for people on special diets or who can’t eat pork. Yet, it’s a processed meat with less protein and more added sugar than regular bacon and may contain preservatives that have been linked to increased cancer risk.