How Much Does Grass Fed Beef Cost Per Pound?

Grass fed beef has grown in popularity due to its lean and nutrient-dense meat profile. But one downside is that it usually costs more than conventional grain-fed beef. So how much more expensive is grass fed beef per pound compared to regular beef?

Below we’ll look at the average prices of grass fed beef per pound and what causes it to cost more than traditional beef,

Typical Price Per Pound for Grass Fed Beef

On average, grass fed ground beef costs $6 per pound, while conventional ground beef averages around $350 per pound For steaks and roasts, grass fed beef runs $9-$12 per pound compared to $5-$9 per pound for grain fed beef cuts.

Here are some approximate retail price ranges per pound for common grass fed beef cuts

• Ground beef patties or bulk: $5.50 – $8

• Ground beef tubes: $6 – $10

• Chuck roast: $9 – $14

• Ribeye steak: $18 – $25

• Tenderloin: $29 – $35

• Sirloin steak: $12 – $18

• Brisket: $9 – $16

So you’re looking at paying about 1.5 to 2 times more for grass fed beef depending on the cut. The biggest price premiums are for leaner steaks like ribeye and tenderloin.

Why Grass Fed Beef Costs More

There are several reasons why grass fed beef comes at a higher price point:

• Slower growth: Grass fed cattle take longer to reach harvest weight, around 18-24 months vs. 14-18 months for conventional. The longer time to grow out increases costs.

• Lower yields: Grass fed cattle are usually smaller framed breeds and yield less total meat per animal compared to conventional breeds optimized for meat yield.

• Leaner carcasses: Grass fed cattle produce carcasses with less overall fat content. More fat trim is lost relative to the amount of saleable lean beef.

• Supply limitations: Currently grass fed beef makes up only a small fraction of total U.S. beef production, keeping supply low relative to demand.

• Organic certification: Some grass fed beef producers get organic certification which requires additional record-keeping and access to certified organic pasture, increasing their costs.

• No government subsidies: Grass fed beef also lacks the grain subsidies that help lower costs for conventional grain-finished beef.

So producing grass fed beef requires more time, land, labor, and inputs which all contribute to its higher retail pricing. Of course, some consumers feel the added health benefits and sustainable grazing practices make it worth the extra cost.

Grass Fed Beef Prices by Cut

To give an idea of pricing on specific cuts, here are the current retail averages per pound:

• Ground beef: $6

• Ground beef patties: $7

• Chuck roast: $11

• Ribeye steak: $22

• Tenderloin: $32

• Top sirloin: $15

• Brisket: $12

• Short ribs: $12

• Flank steak: $20

You can expect to pay about double the cost of conventional beef across most grass fed cuts. The premiums are highest for middle meats like ribeyes and tenderloin. Ground beef sees the smallest upcharge.

Does Buying in Bulk Lower Cost?

Purchasing grass fed beef in bulk quantities can lower the price per pound compared to small retail-packaged portions. Options for buying bulk grass fed beef include:

• Quarter, half or whole carcass: Splitting an entire cow is the most economical option. Prices range from $6-$10 per pound hanging weight.

• Wholesale boxed beef: Boxes of individual primal/subprimals like a whole ribeye roll provide more flexibility. Box prices are typically $7-$13 per pound.

• Bulk ground beef: Buying 10+ pound tubes or chubs of ground beef saves over retail packs. Expect to pay around $5.50-$7.50 per pound.

When buying larger bulk quantities, be prepared for considerable freezer space needs and the time for cutting and wrapping all the meat into meal portions. Overall bulk buying can save $1-$3 per pound compared to retail grass fed beef prices.

Is Grass Fed Beef Worth the Higher Cost?

Whether grass fed beef is worth paying almost twice as much as conventional beef comes down to your priorities.

Benefits that may make the higher cost worthwhile:

• Nutrition: More omega-3s, vitamins, and antioxidants than grain-fed beef.

• Health: Potential heart health benefits from the better fatty acid profile.

• Animal welfare: Cattle get to graze on open pasture and eat a natural diet.

• Sustainability: Well-managed pasture grazing helps sequester carbon in soils and reduces fossil fuel use.

• Taste: Some people prefer the richer, beefier flavor of grass fed beef.

Of course, your budget is a big factor too. In many cases, consumers purchase grass fed occasionally as a treat, sticking to conventional beef for everyday meals to save money. When produced ethically, grass fed beef offers some advantages – but at a price.

The Bottom Line

Grass fed beef runs from 1.5 to 2 times higher in price compared to conventional grain-fed beef. On average you can expect to pay around $6/lb for ground beef up to $25/lb for premium steaks from grass fed cattle. Buying larger bulk quantities can lower costs slightly compared to retail packages. While more expensive, some feel the added health benefits, sustainability, and taste make grass fed beef worth the price premium.