Do you love grass-fed beef steaks and other products? Getting them cheap with the best quality isn’t possible.
But let me tell you.
You’ve got all the luck at Costco!
First, yes. Grass-fed beef steaks, burgers, and links are cheap.
And second, they’re worth buying.
You’ll certainly praise them for the taste.
You can even become a big fan of them if you cook them correctly.
How will you do it?
Don’t worry.
In this article, I’ll help you know what best Costco grass-fed beef options are available for you in 2023. Besides this, I’ll also share some excellent guidelines for cooking these precious beef delights.
Let’s get started.
Best Costco Grass Fed Beef Steaks, Burger Patties, and Sausage Reviews
Here we begin with reviewing Costco’s only 3 best grass-fed beef options: steak, patties, and sausages. Besides this, I’ll let you know about some grass-fed beef jerky options.
1. Great Southern Grass Fed Beef, the Top Sirloin Steak, Is Another Great Steak Option
Are you a big fan of top sirloin steak and want to find some grass-fed beef steak? You can get it at Costco. Costco gets you a top Sirloin steak pack of 20 pieces weighing 10 lbs for $249.99. Thus you pay about $29.9 per lb–not too expensive.
These steaks are still relatively more expensive than NY Strip Steak at Costco.
Now, let’s discuss the quality.
What can you expect from Great Southern for their grass-fed beef?
These top sirloin steaks come from 00% grass-fed, free-raised, happy cattle. No force like antibiotics or hormones is used to get them raised.
That’s why they’re excellent from a health point of view.
Great Southern has also received eating-grade quality assurance certification from Meat Standard Australia.
Taste
Finally, let’s discuss the taste!
These grass-fed beef steaks are full of protein juices and succulent!
BUT
You might already know that top sirloin is a lean cut… Then how lean can grass-fed beef be?
By no means can it have any fat. The product image at Costco shows is with fat, you still won’t get your steaks with a fat cap.
They’re super lean–only soft if don rare or medium rare.
Chances are pretty high that these top sirloin grass beef steaks at Costco might not please you, especially if you’re new to tasting grass-fed beef.
Pros
- 100% grass-fed and hormone-free
- Antibiotic-free
- Cost-effective
- Healthy and tasty
- Certified by Meat Standards Australia (MSA) for eating-grade quality
Cons
- The steaks need to be prepared carefully. Otherwise, they’ll be dry.
- Grass-fed top sirloin steak is the leanest steak.
- The steaks you get don’t include a fat cap.
2. Costco has 100% Grass Fed Beef Patties, 15 x 0.33 lb
Third, our list includes 100% grass-fed beef burger patties by Kirkland–Costco’s signature brand.
You can get them directly from Costco online, order via Instacart, or at Costco’s physical store–not hard to find.
The Kirkland Signature Grass Fed Beef Patties are available in large-sized packaging of 5 lbs with 15 patties. They are big buggers, weighing 0.33 lbs each.
You can get such a large pack of 15 frozen patties for only $31.09. Thus, you pay only $0.66 per patty–what’s the cheapest but healthiest deal?
Yes, you got it right… to be grass-fed means a completely health-safe meal. But how healthy are Costco’s grass-fed beef patties?
A single grass-fed beef patty by Kirkland gives you 380 calories, of which 26 grams is protein and 30g is fats. These patties have an 80 % lean beef ratio and minimum sodium – no salt has been added.
It’s also perfectly keto-friendly. Overall, these grass-fed beef patties at Costco are the healthiest choice.
Texture and taste
At Costco, you get the best grass-fed beef burgers by Kirkland Signature for a few bucks. They’re lean, yet as compared with grain-fed beef, they’re juicier. That’s because of their low-fat content–the more proteins release more juice when cooked on low heat.
Similarly, they’re packed with the grassy flavor of grass-fed cows.
However,
If you’re new to tasting grass-fed beef, there are 50% chances that you’ll like the flavor.
WHY?
Grass-fed beef is leaner, it lacks the fat flavor. Besides this, the grain flavor is also absent because these cows are fed on grass only.
Yet
If you’re picking grass-fed beef and keeping its health value in view, it’s the best favor you’ll do to yourself.
Pros
- 100% grass-fed
- Cost-effective
- Healthy and tasty
Cons
- Not as soft as grain-fed beef is.
- The taste is only comparable to grass-fed beef, not grain-fed (grain-fed tastes more delicious).
3. Kiolbassa Organic Grass Fed Beef Sausage, 32 oz
Grass-fed beef sausages are also available at Costco; you can get them via Instacart. 2 brands sell these grass beef sausages at Costco:
Kiolbassa Organic Grass Fed Beef Sausages are available on Instacart for $23.62. These sausages are labeled as nut-free and shellfish-free. And, obviously, they have grass-fed beef in them. They catch your attention for being healthy.
Yes, a single serving of 53 grams (2 oz) gets you 9 grams of protein. But how much sodium do they have?
A lot. Even if you’re choosing grass-fed sausages for a healthy diet, they’re not healthy because of their high sodium.
So, please think twice.
Did I forget to discuss the taste?
Yes, they’re very relishing. You can eat them in any way you like. The added spice and seasoning make them soft, juicy, and tasty.
4. Teton Waters Ranch Uncured Grass-Fed Beef Polish Sausage, 2.25 lbs
Teton Waters Ranch Uncured Grass Fed Beef Polish Sausages are available to buy from Costco via Instacart. You can get a 2.25lb pack for $21.14, which will cost you $0.59 per oz.
Teton Water’s 100% organic grass-fed beef sausages are finger-lickin’ good. You can enjoy it in several ways, adding it to your burgers or aspiring with your favorite sauces.
You can consider them the healthiest sausages only because they have grass-fed beef raised without hormones and antibiotics and are also gluten-free. Yet, for the sodium content of 530 mg per serving of 85 grams, I don’t think you should have them if you’re following a healthy diet in the true sense.
Taking about 20% of RDA sodium in a single sausage doesn’t seem appreciable–honestly, it’s like a joke to me.
So, it’s better to get grass-fed beef burgers or steak, but not sausages or even jerky if they’re high in sodium.
Does Costco Sell Grass Fed Beef Jerky?
Yes, Costco sells grass-fed beef jerky. You can get it directly from Costco’s physical store or online store.
At Costco, grass-fed beef jerky is available by Prevail Variety in two options:
- The Original is available as a single flavor in a 10-pack packaging for $49.99.
- Prevail 4 flavor variety packs with Umami, Spicy, Lemon Grass, and Original flavors for $49.99 (10 packs).
Since it is free of gluten, GMO, MSG, and antibiotics, I refer to it as the healthiest jerky at Costco.
Sincerity dictates that taste must always come last if health is your top priority.
You still want to know how it tastes and feels to chew it, though.
Even though the flavor is mentioned on the container, it is subtle; you must work hard to determine what it is!
But you would grumble since all flavors are equally sweet! The additional coconut sugar is to blame. Only the spicy flavor is the hottest of all the flavors; the rest are not as potent.
Overall, it offers excellent value.
Pros
- Mild yet happy flavor
- Low in fat and salt
- Organic ingredients only
- GMO-free, MSG-free, soy-free, and paleo-friendly products
Cons
- Not free of nitrites or nitrates.
How to Cook Grass-Fed Beef Patties Like as Served in Restaurants?
Grilling grass-fed beef patties can differ from grilling conventional grain-fed beef, as grass-fed beef is leaner and more delicate. You might prefer grilling your Costco grass-fed beef patties, yet pan-frying them to extract the most delicious taste from them.
Here’s how you can pan-fry your grass-fed beef patties.
Ingredients
- Thawed burgers
- Salt
- Freshly coarse black pepper
- Oil (any cooking oil with a higher smoke point is better).
Instructions
You can pan-fry your beef patties by following a few tips from a restaurant chef.
- Thaw the patties in the refrigerator overnight.
- Sprinkle salt and pepper seasoning on the patties generously right before frying them.
- Turn the flame medium and place the frying pan on it.
- Add some oil, preferably with a high smoke point) in the hot pan, and let it get hotter.
- Place the burger patty in the pan to fry it. Lift it a bit with the spatula so the oil gets under the patty to cook it properly. It’ll also prevent it from sticking to the pan. Please don’t press the patty, for it’ll cause the release of all juice, resulting in a dry patty.
- Fry each side for 2 minutes for medium rare.
- When one side is fried with a nice color, flip it and cook the other. During the process, keep basting the oil using the spatula.
- When done, let it rest for 2-3 minutes to distribute the juices evenly.
How Should You Cook Costco Steak without Drying It?
Grass-fed steaks are pricey, and you don’t want to ruin them by turning them dry and chewy like boot leather.
So, what should you do?
Follow the few tips and a video clip below to cook the perfect steak.
Ingredients
- Thawed steak
- Coarse sea salt or kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Dried herbs of your choice (e.g. rosemary, thyme, oregano, or a mix of your favorites)
- Oil (better to get oil with high smoke point)
- Some butter
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Aromatics (your favorite herbs and spices)
Instructions
- Thaw the steak in the refrigerator:
- Remove the excess moisture from the steak by patting it against another steak and drying it with paper towels.
- Generously sprinkle coarse sea salt or kosher salt over both sides of the steak.
- Finely chop or crush your chosen dried herbs and mix them with freshly ground black pepper. Evenly rub the herbs and seasoning onto both sides of the steak. Press the steak gently to ensure the mixture adheres to the meat.
- Place the seasoned steak on a wire rack set over a tray or plate in the refrigerator. Cover the steak loosely with plastic wrap or wax paper to protect it from contaminants. Refrigerate it for at least 24 hours or up to 3 days for more intense flavor and tenderization.
- Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat for a few minutes.
- Add an ounce of oil with a high smoke point to the skillet.
- Gently place the steak in the skillets. Lift the steak a little bit occasionally to let the oil get under the steak.
- Sear the steak for about 2 minutes per side for a medium-rare or 3 minutes per side for a medium. Grass-fed beef typically cooks faster than grain-fed beef, so be cautious not to overcook it.
- Add a couple of tablespoons of butter and baste the steak with the melted butter and aromatics.
- Check the steak’s internal temperature with an instant-read meat thermometer. For medium-rare, aim for 130-135°F (54-57°C), and for medium, 135-140°F (57-60°C).
- Remove the steak from the skillet. Tent it loosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for about 5 minutes on the cutting board. It lets the juices redistribute within the steak.
- After resting the steak, slice it against the grain.
Enjoy your perfectly cooked grass-fed beef steak, favorite side dish, and condiment!
FAQs
Is grass-fed beef lean?
Yes, grass-fed beef is leaner than grain-fed beef. The grass-fed cattle’s diet is responsible for such leanness. This diet comprises grasses, legumes, and other plants found in pastures, which results in a lower overall fat content.
Because of its leaner nature, you must make a few adjustments when cooking grass-fed beef to prevent it from becoming too dry or tough. So, when cooking grass-fed steak for burgers, please follow a recipe for grass-fed beef.
What is free-range grass-fed beef?
Free-range grass-fed beef means that the cattle have been raised in a more natural environment. They have more freedom to roam and graze on open pastures for most of their lives. This term combines two concepts: “free-range” and “grass-fed.”
- Free-range means that the cattle are not confined to small, crowded spaces or feedlots. They may move around freely and engage in natural behaviors, improving overall animal health and welfare.
- Grass-fed means that the cattle’s primary source of nutrition comes from grazing on grasses, legumes, and other plants found in pastures. Yet, it also proposes that cattle are fed on stored grass or hay when fresh pasture is unavailable, such as during winter.
So, when you combine both concepts of cattle raising, they improve animal welfare. Additionally, they also incorporate better environmental sustainability and potentially higher nutritional value. However, these regulations and definitions for terms like “free-range” and “grass-fed” may vary depending on the country and certification programs. So, as a consumer, please do your research and understand the specific standards of the grass-fed beef product you’re buying.
What are some cons of grass-fed beef?
While grass-fed beef is often praised for its potential health benefits and more sustainable farming practices, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider:
Cost
Grass-fed beef can be significantly more expensive than conventionally raised beef because of the higher cost of production and lower yields.
Availability
Grass-fed beef may not be as widely available as conventionally raised beef, which could make it more difficult to find and purchase.
Taste
Grass-fed beef may have a different flavor profile than conventionally raised beef, which some people may find unappealing or unfamiliar.
Texture
Grass-fed beef may also have a different texture, affecting its cooking and eating qualities.
Nutrient variability
While grass-fed beef is considered more nutrient-dense than conventionally raised beef, the specific nutrient content can vary depending on factors such as the animal’s diet and environment.
Environmental impact
While grass-fed beef may be more sustainable than conventionally raised beef in some ways, it can still have a significant environmental impact, particularly on land use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Can you find grass-fed Wagyu beef?
Yes, you can find grass-fed Wagyu beef. Yet, it’s less common than grain-fed Wagyu. Traditional Wagyu cattle are fed a grain-based diet. However, some producers raise Wagyu cattle on a grass-fed diet too.
This grass-fed Wagyu beef has a slightly different flavor profile and texture than grain-fed Wagyu. It’s because the diet affects the meat’s fat content and composition.
Undoubtedly, grass-fed Wagyu beef has less marbling than its grain-fed counterpart. Yet, still, it has more marbling than conventional beef breeds.
Conclusive Thoughts
Costco truly offers an exceptional selection of grass-fed beef products that gratify various tastes and budgets.
So, head to your local store or browse their online offerings to discover the best grass-fed beef products that suit your needs. Happy cooking and bon appétit!