how much is 16 oz of ground beef

The Cost and Nutrition of 16 Ounces of Ground Beef – A Detailed Breakdown

Ground beef is a kitchen staple used in everything from burgers to meatloaf to tacos. But have you ever wondered just how much 16 ounces of ground beef costs and what its nutrition breakdown is?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the average cost per pound of ground beef and the total price tag for 16 ounces We’ll also dive into the full nutritional facts, calories, and health implications of eating this amount of ground beef

Whether you’re meal prepping budgeting for a cookout or just beef-curious, read on to learn all about the price, nutrition, and health impact of 16 ounces of America’s favorite meat.

The Average Cost of Ground Beef Per Pound
Before looking at a 16-ounce portion, let’s establish the baseline average cost of ground beef per pound.

The price of ground beef varies hugely depending on factors like:

• Leanness – Fattier beef is cheaper than leaner beef.

• Quality grade – Higher grades like “Choice” cost more than “Select”.

• Store type – Grocery store, big box, butcher shop, etc.

• Region – Prices fluctuate based on local costs and supply.

• Season – Prices peak around holidays and summer grilling season.

According to the USDA, the average price per pound for conventional ground beef is:

• Ground chuck: $4.11/lb
• Ground sirloin: $5.18/lb
• 85/15 lean/fat blend: $4.29/lb

So on average, most mainstream ground beef costs $4 – $5 per pound at major grocery stores. Of course, prices can range higher at organic and specialty stores or lower at big box stores like Costco.

Typically, fattier blends of 73/27 or 80/20 cost a bit less per pound, while super lean 90/10 can cost more. Grass-fed is also pricier at $6/lb or higher. So leaness is a major pricing factor.

Now that we know the average per pound pricing, let’s look at the cost of a 16-ounce package.

The Price of 16 Ounces of Ground Beef
If we take the average price to be $4.50/lb for 85/15 ground beef, the cost of 16 ounces (1 pound) would be approximately:

• 1 pound (16 oz) = $4.50

So a standard 1-pound package of 85/15 ground beef costs about $4.50 at regular grocery stores. Again, this could range from $3.50/lb at big box clubs to $6.00/lb or more for fancy organic ground beef.

For context, here’s the cost of some other common package sizes:

• 1/4 pound: $1.13
• 1/3 pound: $1.50
• 1/2 pound: $2.25
• 3/4 pound: $3.38
• 1 pound (16 oz): $4.50
• 1.25 pounds: $5.63
• 1.5 pounds: $6.75
• 2 pounds: $9.00

As you can see, bigger package sizes offer more meat for less per ounce. So value packs can save money for larger families, meal preppers, and cookouts.

Now let’s look beyond cost to see the detailed nutrition in 16 ounces of ground beef.

Nutrition Facts for 16 Ounces of Ground Beef
Here is the full nutritional breakdown for 16 ounces (1 pound) of 85/15 lean ground beef according to the USDA:

• Calories: 1,138
• Fat: 89.6g
• Saturated fat: 34.4g
• Cholesterol: 318mg
• Sodium: 300mg
• Carbs: 0g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 0g
• Protein: 76.9g

So in 16 ounces of ground beef you get a whopping 1,138 calories, 89.6 grams of fat, and over 300mg of cholesterol.

To put that into perspective, here are some key daily dietary intake limits for a 2,000 calorie diet:

• Fat: 44g to 77g
• Saturated fat: 16g
• Cholesterol: 300mg
• Sodium: 2,300mg

As you can see, 16 ounces of ground beef provides more fat and cholesterol than the daily limits for most people. The protein is a plus at 76 grams, but overall the fat and cholesterol content is high.

Let’s compare 85/15 beef to fattier and leaner blends in 16 ounces:

• 80/20 ground beef: 1,269 calories, 107g fat
• 90/10 ground beef: 922 calories, 46g fat

The 80/20 is even higher in fat and calories, while the 90/10 is leaner but still fairly high in saturated fat and cholesterol.

So in terms of nutrition, 16 ounces of ground beef packs a serious calorie and fat wallop regardless of blend. Eating this amount in one meal would bust through most people’s recommended daily limits.

Health Impacts of Eating 16 Ounces of Ground Beef
Given the high calories, fat, and cholesterol, what are the health implications of eating 16 ounces of ground beef regularly?

For the average person, health risks include:

• Weight gain – At 1,138 calories, 16 ounces packs over half the calories of a 2,000 calorie diet. Eating this amount frequently can easily lead to weight gain over time.

• Increased cholesterol – The 318mg of cholesterol is over the 300mg daily limit, raising risk for high cholesterol and heart disease.

• Higher cancer risk – High intake of red meat and saturated fat may increase risk for colorectal cancer and other cancers.

• Increased diabetes risk – Frequent red meat consumption is linked to a higher likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.

• Digestive issues – The high fat content can cause indigestion, bloating, and other GI problems in some people.

Of course, eating 16 ounces of ground beef moderately as part of an overall healthy diet is fine for most people. But regular consumption of high quantities can start pushing things into unhealthy territory in the long run.

Leaner cuts, lower portions, and less frequent consumption help reduce the risks. Choosing grass-fed beef also provides a healthier fat composition.

As with most things in nutrition, moderation and balance are key for making ground beef work in a healthy lifestyle.

Getting the Best Value and Nutrition from Ground Beef
When buying and cooking ground beef, keep these tips in mind:

• Compare unit prices – Look at cost per pound, not just package price. Larger packages are often cheaper.

• Buy leaner blends – Choosing 90-95% lean cuts calories, fat, and cholesterol.

• Portion into smaller servings – Break up 1 pound into 4 quarter-pound burgers or tacos for better portion control.

• Add veggies – Mix in riced cauliflower or mushrooms to reduce calories and increase nutrition.

• Choose grass-fed – It has higher omega-3s and a better fatty acid profile than conventional beef.

• Limit processed meats – Sausage, bacon, deli meats bring extra sodium, nitrates.

• Cook in healthy ways – Bake, broil or grill instead of frying in oil to cut added fat.

In conclusion, while ground beef is a cherished staple of American cuisine, the high saturated fat and cholesterol content means it’s best enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall nutritious diet. Getting 16 ounces of beef in one recipe is a lot of meat and calories, so consider breaking recipes into smaller servings or adding mix-ins to reduce the total amount. With some smart shopping and cooking tricks, you can enjoy ground beef as a lean protein source while getting the best bang for your buck.