Looking to eat better but not willing to give up the beef? It’s easy to go lean without losing flavor or texture. All you need is the right kind of meat and a few simple cooking tips.

On the lean meat front, Certified Piedmontese Beef is a great go-to. Prized for its natural leanness and heavy musculature, this breed of cattle is both tender and flavorful without the need for fatty marbling. The cattle are also raised humanely and sustainably on family ranches in the Great Plains without any added hormones or antibiotics. As an added bonus, their pre-packaged Sirloin Steaks (8-ounce package), Extra Lean Ground Beef (96% lean, 4% fat) and other select cuts are American Heart Association Certified! 

Another beefy lean protein you'll love is our Fresh to Market Grass-Fed Beef. Featuring the same specially bred and responsibly raised beef from Certified Piedmontese, our house brand of grass-fed beef high in protein and low in saturated fat, total fat and calories. Both grass-fed and grass-finished, this one-of-a-kind gourmet beef is the perfect choice for complementing a healthy lifestyle without sacrificing tenderness or taste.

To make the most out of your lean beef, follow these pro cooking tips:

• Bring your steaks to room temperature before cooking.
• Don’t be afraid to add oil during the cooking process or to the finished product, as the meat doesn’t have much fat of its own.
• Use tongs when turning the beef, as a fork will pierce the surface and allow juices to run out, making it dry.
• Braise items that are to be well done, cooking covered at a low temperature (250–300°F) with the addition of stock or other liquid to help make the meat tender.
• For meats that are roasted, sear over high heat and cook no more than medium-rare. Allow meat to rest a minimum of 10 minutes before carving to allow the juices to be absorbed back into the meat.
• For steaks that are medium-well or well done, carve very thin against the grain and serve with a sauce to add moisture back to the meat. 

Ready to cook? Visit our Meat Department to pick up your perfect cut!

Article originally published in January of 2018 and updated in January of 2024.