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90/10 Ground Beef

For health-conscious cooks who still crave the goodness of ground beef, 90/10 emerges as the ideal solution. With 90% lean meat and just 10% fat, this is the leanest ground beef option commonly found in grocery stores. It's a fantastic way to reduce fat intake without sacrificing beefy flavor or versatility.

Why Choose 90/10

Here’s why 90/10 deserves a place in your kitchen:

  • Health Benefits: 90/10 offers the lowest saturated fat content of standard ground beef ratios, making it perfect when you’re monitoring your intake.
  • Flavorful Base: It still delivers satisfying beefiness, making it an excellent base for flavorful sauces, crumbles, and fillings.
  • Calorie Conscious: Due to its lower fat content, 90/10 naturally has fewer calories, a benefit for managing calorie count.
  • Recipe Adaptability: While best suited to specific uses, 90/10 ground beef can be used in various recipes with careful preparation and a few tweaks.

When 90/10 Shines

This lean grind excels in the following scenarios:

  • Taco Meat & Crumbles: Perfect for taco night or as a crumbly base for chili, where you can add flavor and moisture through seasonings and other ingredients.
  • Sauces & Soups: 90/10 provides a flavorful, lean foundation for bolognese sauce, hearty soups, and stews, enriching the dish without excess grease.
  • Fillings & Casseroles: Works well in stuffed peppers, lasagna, and casseroles where it mixes with other flavorful components, boosting the protein content with less fat.
  • Healthier Alternatives: If a recipe calls for ground beef, 90/10 can be a healthier substitute, with the understanding that it needs some TLC during cooking.
Kitchen Guide

Ground Beef Meat

The USDA minimum safe internal temperature is 160°F.

Popular serving temperatures:

  • 120 – 130°F – Rare
  • 130 – 140°F – Medium Rare
  • 140 – 150°F – Medium (most popular, especially by chefs)
  • 150 – 160°F – Medium Well
  • 160°F and more – Well Done

Keys to Success with 90/10

  • Moisture is Essential: This lean grind can dry out quickly. Incorporate ingredients like finely chopped onions, grated vegetables, or a splash of broth to increase moisture and ensure tender results.
  • Bold Seasoning: Don’t hold back! Season your 90/10 generously to elevate the flavor and compensate for the lower fat content.
  • Gentle Cooking: Avoid overcooking, which will dry out 90/10. Cook just until done through for the best texture.
  • Perfect Pairings: Combine 90/10 with flavorful ingredients and sauces to create delicious dishes filled with satisfying savory notes.

90/10: A Smart Addition to Your Kitchen

90/10 ground beef isn’t meant to replace richer options like 80/20 entirely. However, it offers a valuable tool for creating healthier, flavorful dishes. While it requires slightly more careful preparation, 90/10 empowers you to enjoy the great taste of ground beef while prioritizing a lean, health-conscious approach to your favorite recipes.

Beef doesn’t magically appear in the grocery store. It follows a journey from the farm to your table, and the way cattle are raised along the way drastically influences everything from taste to sustainability. Let’s explore the different paths beef can take, and how those choices affect what ends up on your plate.

Tom Tom Founder

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