Grass Fed vs. Organic vs. Pasture Raised Beef
Grass fed vs organic vs pasture raised beef: each label tells you something different. Here is a direct comparison to help you shop with confidence.
When you are trying to eat healthy, there are a lot of options, and when it comes to beef it is not as simple as it seems. Most of us know that "grass-fed," "organic," and "pasture-raised" are good buzzwords to look for, but what do they really mean? Pasture raised does not automatically mean organic, and grass-fed does not always mean the cattle were finished on grass. Here is the difference.
Label | What it means | What to check |
Grass fed | Cattle eat grass instead of a grain-based diet. | Look for "grass fed and finished" or "100% grass fed" so you know what the cattle ate right up to harvest. |
Pasture raised | Cattle spend their lives outdoors on pasture. | Each company defines it differently, so read the package. It does not mean organic or grass-only. |
Organic | A USDA-certified standard: organic feed, no synthetic pesticides, no GMOs, no added hormones or antibiotics. | Organic cattle can still be fed organic corn and grain, and are not guaranteed to be grass-fed. |
Pre beef | 100% Grass-Fed & Finished, pasture raised year-round, Non-GMO Project Verified. | No added hormones and no sub-therapeutic antibiotics. No organic claim. |
Grass fed vs. pasture raised beef
Grass-fed is the opposite of grain-fed. Cattle enjoy a more natural diet of grass, similar to how they would eat in the wild, instead of grains that speed up growth. In most cases, grass-fed beef comes from cattle that spend their lives outdoors on pasture, which is a far less stressful life. At Pre, we only source beef from pasture-raised, grass-fed cattle, because we understand the difference quality makes. Read more in grass fed beef vs. grass finished beef.
Grass fed vs. organic beef
What is organic beef, and how does it differ? There are a lot of regulations around what can be called organic, and getting certified is an expensive process. Organic beef does not have to come from grass-fed cattle, but it cannot come from cattle kept in overcrowded feedlots for extended periods. USDA organic standards require cattle to have access to pasture during the grazing season, with a minimum grazing season of 120 days.
That matters, because organic cattle in a harsh climate may eat dried grasses and spend more time sheltered than out on pasture. The environment where cattle are raised is key. Organic beef cannot contain antibiotics, hormones, or GMOs, but the cattle can be fed organic corn and grains. When you compare organic beef with non-organic grass-fed beef, the winner is not as obvious as the word organic suggests. See the full comparison in grass-fed vs. organic beef.
Is grass fed beef better than organic?
It depends on what matters most to you. In our view, natural is best, and grass-fed, pasture-raised beef is more natural and better for the cattle. It also comes down to the farmers. Our farmers in Australia and New Zealand only use antibiotics when medically necessary to treat a sick animal, which is rare, and practice rotational grazing so cattle always get the best nutrients available. To see how organic and Non-GMO differ, read organic vs. non-GMO.
Shop grass-fed, pasture-raised beef with Pre
At Pre, we believe education is important, and our goal is full transparency into how we source our beef. You have options when you choose beef, and now that you know the difference between grass fed, organic, and pasture raised, you can shop smarter. See what every claim on a Pre pack means.
FAQ
Is pasture raised the same as organic?
No. Pasture raised describes where cattle live, and each company defines it differently. Organic is a USDA-certified standard for feed and practices.
Is grass-fed beef always organic?
No. Grass-fed beef is not automatically organic, and organic beef is not automatically grass-fed. Check the label for both.
Is Pre beef organic?
No. Pre beef is 100% Grass-Fed & Finished, pasture raised year-round, Non-GMO Project Verified, with no added hormones and no sub-therapeutic antibiotics. It does not carry an organic claim.
Where can I buy Pre 100% Grass-Fed & Finished Beef?
Pre Brands beef is a lean, High Protein, delicious way to keep dinner healthy. Use our store locator to find a store near you, browse all Pre products, or find us on Instacart.
