Is Texas Roadhouse Beef Truly Grass-Fed?

With over 600 locations across the country Texas Roadhouse has become a popular spot for indulging in mouthwatering steaks and classic American fare. But for health and sustainability-minded diners one question remains is their beef grass-fed? Let’s take a closer look.

What Does Grass-Fed Mean?

Grass-fed beef comes from cows that have been allowed to graze and feed on their natural diet of grass and other forages. This is in contrast to conventional grain-fed beef, where cows are fattened up with grains like corn, soy, and barley.

Grass-fed beef is praised for having a healthier nutritional profile It has less total fat, more heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and more antioxidants like vitamin E. Grass-fed cows are also thought to have better welfare as they live in more natural pasture environments

However, the grass-fed label alone does not guarantee that the beef is 100% grass-finished. Some cattle may be grass-fed for most of their lives but finished on grain for the last few months.

Is Texas Roadhouse Beef Grass-Fed?

Texas Roadhouse does not explicitly state that their beef is 100% grass-fed. However, they do claim to source from suppliers focused on sustainable practices.

On their website, Texas Roadhouse states:

“We purchase the majority of our beef from three suppliers who are leaders in sustainable beef production practices. This means they raise their cows responsibly and aim to balance efficient production with environmental, social and economic impacts.”

While not confirmed grass-fed, this suggests Texas Roadhouse’s beef comes from cows raised humanely on a forage-based diet, not intensive feedlots. Their beef is USDA Choice grade, indicating good marbling from some grain finishing. Overall, their beef seems to combine sustainable practices with the tender, juicy steaks customers love.

The Benefits of Grass-Fed Beef

Studies show grass-fed beef is:

• Lower in total fat and calories
• Higher in omega-3 fatty acids and CLA
• More antioxidants like vitamin E
• A more sustainable farming method
• Supports better animal welfare

The nutrients in grass-fed beef provide benefits like:

• Reduced inflammation
• Lower heart disease risk
• Improved brain function
• Healthier skin and hair

Grass-fed cattle grazing on pastures also helps capture carbon in the soil, protecting the environment.

Why Texas Roadhouse Uses Some Grain-Finishing

While grass-fed beef offers advantages, there are reasons Texas Roadhouse grain-finishes their cattle:

• Efficiency – Grain-finishing allows more cattle to be raised on less land and with fewer resources. This increases beef supply efficiency.

• Fat marbling – Grain produces intramuscular fat marbling that many customers associate with great steak taste and tenderness.

• Cost – Grass-finishing requires more land and has lower yields. This leads to higher costs passed onto consumers.

By using a blend of grazing and strategic grain-finishing, Texas Roadhouse balances sustainability, taste, and cost. Their beef is not 100% grass-fed but does appear to come from responsibly raised, pasture-grazing cows.

Texas Roadhouse’s Focus on Sustainability

Rather than commit to 100% grass-fed beef, Texas Roadhouse focuses on these sustainable practices:

• Animal welfare – Their suppliers raise cattle humanely with proper veterinary care.

• Environment – Raising cattle on pasture reduces impacts vs. concentrated feedlots.

• Society – They partner with suppliers dedicated to community relationships and worker welfare.

• Economics – They balance efficiency, yield, and costs to produce affordable, high-quality steaks.

This holistic view of sustainability allows Texas Roadhouse to serve great-tasting steaks while upholding responsible values.

Other Healthy Dining Tips at Texas Roadhouse

If you love indulging in steaks at Texas Roadhouse but want to maintain a balanced diet, here are some tips:

• Choose leaner cuts like sirloin or filet mignon

• Get steaks grilled instead of fried

• Opt for a sweet potato or side salad instead of fries

• Watch portion sizes and skip high-calorie extras like cheesy potatoes

• Balance your meal with veggies – their steamed broccoli is delicious!

• Split an appetizer instead of overloading on bread and rolls

• Enjoy some post-dinner line dancing for some exercise!

While not fully grass-fed, Texas Roadhouse’s focus on sustainability and responsible sourcing make it a solid choice for mindful meat-eaters. With a few simple adjustments, you can indulge in their famous steaks as part of an overall healthy lifestyle.