Anybody Else Think Ground Beef isn't as Flavorful?

[Pointby2]

And today, the 36 million wild deer outnumber the 28 million head of beef cattle in the US.

 

[Koolau]

When we went to Scotland two years ago, we visited a farm called Standhill Farms. It was absolutely amazing with how they turned methane and cows feces into energy, growing a full greenhouse of tomatoes and powering all the 900 homes in their village. If only farmers can do so and cows will no longer get a bad rap. It was the highlight of our trip. You can read about it here:

Standhill Farm

A family farm in the heart of the Scottish Borders

www.standhillfarm.co.uk

I've often wondered why huge feed lots in the USA don't do this. I'm sure it's capital intensive to get started and I wouldn't doubt that maintenance can be problematic. Still, there's a lot of energy "wasted" in animal waste. At some level of energy costs, it may become viable. Of course, the normal volatility of energy prices makes investment in such an elaborate processing plant less viable.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[audreyh1]

I thought Indians don't eat beef, but it's not like Muslims not eating pork and more like most people not eating dogs and cats.

Just researched, and found out that some Hindu Indians in the state of Kerala and in the Northeast do eat beef. Learn something everyday.

Hindu Indians I know don’t eat pork either. They seem to also follow the Halal rules. Lamb and goat are fine.

 

[RetiredHappy]

Hindu Indians I know don’t eat pork either. They seem to also follow the Halal rules. Lamb and goat are fine.

There are a fair number of Muslim Indians and Christian Indians. It's only the Hindus who do not eat beef. Many Muslim and Christian Indians avoid eating beef out of respect for the Hindus.

 

[audreyh1]

There are a fair number of Muslim Indians and Christian Indians. It's only the Hindus who do not eat beef. Many Muslim and Christian Indians avoid eating beef out of respect for the Hindus.

I’ve also noticed that.

 

[indiajust]

i suspect feedlot finishing practices have changed.

 

[Stormy Kromer]

I’ve also noticed that.

Beef prices haven't come down.

 

[gamboolman]

Not sure about taste when eating out.
We eat a lot of spicy foods, e.g., Tex Mex, Thai, etc., so there's alot going on in the taste(s) department.

For the house, we got a 1/2 a Beef from a local Rancher last year.
Excellent Hamburger, Steaks and all.
Do recommend if you have the Freezer capacity.

 

[GoodLife59]

I have ground beef 3-4 times per week. Hamburgers, tacos, spaghetti, chili, etc. I usually get 85% for cooking and 80% for grilling burgers. When I make burgers on the grill I like them cooked medium--pink center with some juicing if pressed onto the grill. Usually, I use just salt and pepper to season, but occasionally I use Lawry's seasoned salt.

This price of ground beef is ridiculous in the past 6 months or so, and it keeps going higher. I tell myself it's the same meat as before but it just doesn't taste as good to me.

Anyway, lately I've just not found ground beef all that flavorful. It just seems to be bland. Anybody else notice this? Or is it just me?

The U.S. beef herd has changed in the last few years. Traditional beef breeds are far less in number due to loss of grazing land. Long term drought in the areas where brood cows grazed and raised their calves has greatly diminished. The industry has turned to bull dairy calves to supplement supply. A small fraction of the 4+ million dairy bulls born each year are raised for stud. The rest are available. Beef from dairy breeds has a different flavor profile for sure. All this being said I can’t objectively say this has changed the flavor of your ground beef. However, you may want to try buying from a local grower. There are several in my area, and it’s worlds better beef.

 

[old medic]

Our latest batch is absolutely delicious.... 12 lbs of top sirloin, fat trimmed and ground at home...

 

[Retired Expat]

Funny, because we don’t eat regular ground beef at all, not even burgers. The texture just never appealed.

But I wonder if part of it is using lean ground beef?

Professional chefs will tell you that fat means flavor and you need the fat to transfer the flavor to your tastebuds. So too lean isn’t good either. Also they have learned a lot about, fat calories and cholesterol in the last few years.

Anyway, we all should know how sense of smell and taste decline as we age, and how allergies, altitude, all affect our sense of smell which is so much a part of our taste senses.

 

[Stormy Kromer]

Professional chefs will tell you that fat means flavor and you need the fat to transfer the flavor to your tastebuds. So too lean isn’t good either. Also they have learned a lot about, fat calories and cholesterol in the last few years.

Anyway, we all should know how sense of smell and taste decline as we age, and how allergies, altitude, all affect our sense of smell which is so much a part of our taste senses.

Very true. The fat from the kidney area makes the best burger. I grind my own burger and my butcher saves kidney fat for me. For beef I prefer chuck and mix it about 85% lean. I do prefer 80% but my doctor tells me 90% so I split the difference. ( I give him some and he likes it too )

I also have elk burger in my freezer. You can't get more organic grass fed than that. But, there are times I need a grilled beef burger.

 

[KarenF]

I started buying local (to my state) grass fed ground beef. It is expensive, but good.

 

[imnontrad]

Usually it is the fat that gives it the flavor. You might try grinding your own using different cuts of meat until you find a combination you love.

 

[Lorenzo]

Usually it is the fat that gives it the flavor. You might try grinding your own using different cuts of meat until you find a combination you love.

Anybody Else Think Ground Beef isn't as Flavorful?