Types of Ground Beef
Ground beef has four main types according to source and lean point.
- Regular Ground Beef (70/30)
- Ground Chuck (80/20)
- Ground Round (85/15)
- Ground Sirloin (90/10)
Lean point refers to the ratio of lean meat to fat. For example, if the lean point is 70/30, the ground beef contains 70% lean meat and 30% fat.
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Regular Ground Beef (70/30)
You can find ground beef with a range of lean points, but 70/30 is the most common type because it contains high fat content, which makes it ideal for making juicy burgers.
It has the highest calorie and fat content among other ground beef types. 100 grams of 70/30 ground beef contains [1]:
- Calories: 332 kcal,
- Fat: 30 g,
- Protein: 14.4 g, and
- Carbohydrates: 0 g.
These levels of fat, carbohydrates, protein, and calories make it a good option for low-carb diets, but you should watch your consumption if you want to lose weight.
Learn More: Carnivore Diet Chicken Casserole for Lunch and Dinner
Ground Chuck (80/20)
Ground chuck is sourced from the chuck portion of the cow, which includes the neck and shoulder region of the animal and lots of connective tissue. 100 grams of 80/20 ground chuck provides about [2]:
- Calories: 254 kcal,
- Fat: 20 g,
- Protein: 17.2 g, and
- Carbohydrates: 0 g.
This lower amount of fat and more connective tissue than regular ground beef makes ground chuck suitable for foods such as hamburgers that require consistent meat.
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Ground Round (85/15)
Ground round beef is sourced from the round portion of the cow located on the rump, hips, hind legs, and knees.
Like the chuck region, this part of the cow contains a lot of tough muscle and connective tissue making it suitable for hamburgers, but it has less fat and dries out when overcooked.
By consuming 100 grams of 85/15 ground round, you'll get about [3]:
- Calories: 215 kcal,
- Fat: 15 g,
- Protein: 18.6 g, and
- Carbohydrates: 0 g.
While this ground meat has lower fat and fewer calories than previous options, it provides more protein, which you should consider when including it in your diet to avoid protein overconsumption.
Ground Sirloin (90/10)
Ground sirloin is the leanest type of ground beef, with only 10% fat. It’s also called extra-lean ground beef as it has the lowest lean point.
This meat comes from the sirloin primal, located in the mid-back region of the animal, and produces tri-tip steak, top sirloin, and a tenderloin (filet mignon). In 100 grams of this ground meat, there are about [4]:
- Calories: 176 kcal,
- Fat: 10 g,
- Protein: 20 g, and
- Carbohydrates: 0 g.
You can see that ground sirloin provides the least fat content. So if you’re on a high-fat diet like Carnivore, it’s better to use other options with higher fat such as ground chuck.
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To understand these 4 types better, you can check the figure below. Chuck, sirloin, and round come from specific parts of the cow, while regular ground beef can come from various parts or a mix of them.
Ground chuck is one of the most popular types of ground beef in the U.S., as its fat content makes it suitable for both high-fat diets and those who need a rich and fatty flavor for their meals. So, let’s learn more about it.
Learn More: 15 Simple Carnivore Soup Recipes with Chicken, Beef and Pork
What Is Ground Chuck?
Ground chuck is made from the chuck primal, the animal's upper shoulder and lower neck, and generally has a high fat content and connective tissue.
It has around 15-20% fat, which makes it a good ingredient for burgers, especially if you want a traditional, juicy, and fatty burger.
Although ground chuck contains less fat than normal ground beef, that’s not their only difference.
Learn More: All Meat Diet: Is It Healthy? Benefits and Result [Meal Plan]
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