What is the Difference Between Grass Fed and Grain Fed Beef?

Grass fed vs grain fed beef is a question that comes up a lot, especially when you're buying biltong or droewors and trying to figure out what the label actually means. The short answer is it comes down to what the cattle ate, but that one difference affects the fat content, the texture, the nutritional profile, and how the final product tastes. Here's what you actually need to know before picking between the two.

The main difference between the two comes from the diet the cattle are fed. First, let's start by identifying the two:

Grass Fed Beef means the cattle have only ever been fed grass and other foraged foods like alfalfa. Grain Fed Beef means the cattle might have been grass-fed at some point in its life, but it has also had a diet consisting of grains such as corn.

Consistency of the Beef

Think of it this way, Grass Fed cattle live a life of essentially only eating salads made of grass, whereas Grain Fed cattle will also have sweeter food like corn and oats. For this reason, Grass Fed cows tend to have leaner muscles and not as much fat marbled in the meat. Grass Fed cattle also tend to have more access to pastures to graze (this is certainly true of our Grass-Fed cows) which also contributes to the leaner beef.

For this reason, Biltong made with Grass Fed beef tends to be a little leaner and thus a little drier than its Grain Fed counterpart. Grain Fed Beef tends to have more fat marbling and thus will stay more moist during the Biltong drying process.

When it comes to the taste and flavor of Droewors, we believe that they both taste very similar and nearly indistinguishable. Some of our customers have said that they prefer the flavor of Grass Fed Droewors due to the fat being more 'buttery'.

Benefits of Grass-Fed Beef

Less Fat. Grass Fed cattle have a leaner diet and typically more room to graze, both of which leads to less fat.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids. About 50% more than Grain Fed Beef.

Key Nutrients. According to Health.com, Grass-Fed Beef has more key nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and beneficial fat called CLA (conjugated linoleic acid). We should note that in general all beef (regardless of diet) is a great source of protein, zinc, vitamin B12 and more.

How to Pick Between Grass & Grain Fed Biltong

Using the information above, you should be able to decide for yourself what is more important — the slightly more tender taste of the Grain Fed Biltong, or the additional benefits of Grass Fed Beef.

Frequently asked questions

Does grass fed biltong taste different from grain fed?

Yes, though the difference is subtle. Grass fed biltong tends to be leaner and a bit drier since the cattle have less fat marbling going into the drying process. Grain fed biltong holds more moisture and has a slightly softer texture. For droewors the difference is harder to notice — most people can't tell them apart, though some prefer the grass fed version for a slightly more buttery fat flavor.

Is grass fed beef actually healthier?

It has a better nutritional profile in a few specific ways — notably about 50% more omega-3 fatty acids and higher levels of CLA, a beneficial fat linked to various health markers. It also tends to be leaner. That said, all beef regardless of diet is a solid source of protein, zinc, and B12. The gap isn't dramatic but it's real.

What does "grass fed" actually mean on a label?

It means the animal was raised on grass and foraged foods like alfalfa rather than grain. It does not automatically mean the animal was pasture-raised its entire life — some labels use "grass fed" loosely. If that matters to you, look for labels that specify 100% grass fed or pasture-raised alongside it. For biltong specifically, the grass fed designation affects how lean and dry the final product comes out.

 

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