Our master butcher chooses Parker Ranch 1847 beef by hand based on its tenderness, flavor, high marbling content, and overall quality.
With Parker Ranch 1847, there’s no wondering about the quality of your beef. We follow Global Animal Partnership’s Step 4 of their Animal Welfare Certification Program. Step four pertains to pasture raised standards, created to promote best practices for animal care. Cattle are on pasture for 75% of life and no feedlots; pastures are maintained with a min. of 50% vegetative cover; there are human timeframes for maturation protocols and have cattle limited transport time.
As both a passionate home cook and burger fanatic I’m always on the lookout for superb quality beef. And lately I’ve become a bit obsessed with getting my hands on some authentic Parker Ranch beef from the Big Island of Hawaii.
With over 175 years of ranching heritage, Parker Ranch is renowned for producing exceptionally flavorful beef born and raised on the lush pastures of Waimea. If you appreciate high quality, humanely raised meats like I do, you need to know more about Parker Ranch 1847 beef and where us mainlanders can actually buy it.
In this article, I’ll share everything I’ve uncovered in my quest to find and taste this legendary Hawaiian beef. Aloha!
What Makes Parker Ranch Beef Special
Parker Ranch is the largest and oldest ranch in Hawaii, founded in 1847. But it’s not just age that makes their beef so special:
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Angus Cattle – Using heritage Angus genetics, the cattle are predisposed for superior marbling and flavor.
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Lush Pastures – The cattle graze on thousands of acres of natural, sweet Kikuyu grass unique to Hawaii.
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Rainwater – The grasses are nourished only by rainfall, resulting in a pure diet.
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Free Range – The cattle roam and graze freely year-round.
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Hawaiian Sun – Constant sun exposure produces vitamin D for healthy cattle.
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Small Herds – Cattle are raised in small groups on different pastures.
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Humane Care – Rancher stewardship and low-stress handling create happy cows.
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Local Sourcing – Born, raised, and finished on one ranch in Hawaii. Total traceability.
With idyllic conditions and generations of ranching expertise, it’s clear why Parker Ranch beef is so revered, especially by Hawaiian cooks and restaurants. Now, how can we get it on the mainland?
Where to Buy Parker Ranch Beef on the Mainland
Unfortunately, the only way to purchase Parker Ranch 1847 beef if you don’t live in Hawaii is to order it online:
Direct from Parker Ranch
The best way to buy is direct from parkerranch.com. They offer individual cuts like ribeye, strip steak, and ground beef. Shipping is free for orders over $199.
Online Retailers
A few online butchers and specialty grocers stock Parker Ranch beef, such as:
- Porter Road Butcher
- Crowd Cow
- DeBragga and Spitler
- New Seasons Market
Shipping costs vary. Stock sells out quickly since inventory is limited.
ButcherBox Custom Box
For regular delivery, ButcherBox allows you to customize a monthly box containing Parker Ranch beef when available. An affordable way to get high-end beef.
Local Specialty Butchers
Ask butchers at premium grocers like Eataly or Metropolitan Market if they can special order Parker Ranch beef. Long shipping times and prices make this option less likely.
Basically, purchasing direct from the ranch is ideal for both price and freshness. For special occasions, it’s worth it!
Cooking This Legendary Hawaiian Beef
When you manage to get your hands on some, you’ll want to showcase Parker Ranch beef’s phenomenal flavor.
Opt for Quick, Hot Cooking
To appreciate the marbling, sear steaks over high heat and cook to no more than medium. Try:
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Grilling ribeyes and New York strips to medium rare.
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Pan searing porterhouses and tenderloins.
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Making Hawaiian-style spiced burgers on the grill.
Enhance the Meat’s Natural Flavor
Simply salt and pepper the beef right before cooking. No need to marinate intricate spice rubs that mask the flavor. Allow the extraordinary beef to shine.
Make it Aloha Style
For Hawaiian flair, incorporate island ingredients like pineapple, teriyaki, brown sugar, and macadamia nuts. Some recipe ideas:
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Steak with grilled pineapple salsa.
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Burgers with teriyaki glaze and fried Spam.
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Stir fry with brown sugar and macadamia.
With authentic Parker Ranch beef, you can enjoy a real Hawaiian steak experience at home!
Is Mail Order Parker Ranch Beef Worth It?
Having tasted Parker Ranch beef firsthand on a trip to Hawaii, I can definitively say it’s worth every penny and the extra effort to get it shipped to your door.
The exceptionally lush pastures of Waimea imbue the beef with a mild grass-fed sweetness while retaining that classic rich Angus flavor. Each bite melts in your mouth thanks to ample marbling from the cattle’s ideal diet and stress-free grazing.
While expensive compared to regular grocery store beef, true beef aficionados know you get what you pay for. And Hawaii’s legendary Parker Ranch beef is as unique and memorable as the islands themselves. I know I’ll be ordering it again soon for a taste of aloha!
Born, Grass Fed, and Finished Locally
Parker Ranch 1847 cattle are locally born, grass fed, and finished on Hawaii Island. They are raised with low-stress methods for cattle management, and they are free to graze on thousands of acres of natural, nutrient-rich grasses (Kikuyu and Pangola) that only get their food from the sun and rain.
You can appreciate the quality of beef from pasture-raised cattle because you know where they came from and what they ate from the time they were born.
Unboxing the 1/8 Beef Box: Fresh Farm-to-Table Experience from a 100-Year-Old Cattle Ranch!
FAQ
Is Parker Ranch beef no longer sold at Hawaii Safeway stores?
Is Parker Ranch still in business?
What kind of cattle are on the Parker Ranch?
Where does Parker Ranch beef go?
Is Parker Creek Ranch beef grass-fed?
Parker Creek Ranch’s beef is grass-fed and grass-finished. We adhere to a strict forage only protocol. Our cattle never receive grains, grain by-products, or animal by-products. The unique genetic cross yields tender, flavorful beef.
What is Parker Ranch Black Label beef?
Parker Ranch Black Label beef is hand selected by our paniolo for its tenderness, high marbling content, flavor, and overall quality. With Black Label, there’s no wondering about the quality of your beef. We follow Global Animal Partnership’s Step 4 of their Animal Welfare Certification Program.
Are Parker pastures a good meat company?
If you are into high quality meats, the Parker’s do the whole process right. We are extremely satisfied with the meat from the Parker Pastures! They really take pride in the quality of grasses their cattle consume, start to finish and the meat products are fantastic.
What makes Parker Ranch unique?
Couple this with nutrient-rich forage found on some of the most beautiful islands in the world, expert animal husbandry backed by over 175 years of ranching experience, heritage and innovation, it all adds up to a dining experience that you can enjoy with confidence. Parker Ranch – More than a Ranch, A Legacy.