Grass-fed vs. Grain-fed Beef

Grass-fed vs. Grain-fed

The culinary world is filled with diverse flavours and choices, and the distinction between grass-fed and grain-fed steak has always been one that resonates with many discerning food enthusiasts.

What is the difference? Does grass-fed steak or grain-fed steak taste better? These two categories of beef present distinct characteristics in terms of taste and texture, allowing consumers to make informed decisions aligned with their personal taste and preferences.

Grass-Fed, Grass-Finished Steak

One of the most apparent disparities between grass-fed and grain-fed steak is the variation in flavour and texture. Grass-fed steak sourced from cattle that graze on grass, including those that graze on natural pastures, offers a distinctive taste that is often described as earthy, herbaceous, and slightly gamey. The leaner nature of grass-fed beef allows the genuine essence of the meat to shine through, resulting in a flavour that is robust. This flavour profile resonates with individuals who appreciate a more authentic and unadulterated beef taste. Beef sourced from cattle raised exclusively on a grass diet up until processing is also known as grass-finished.

Grass-Fed, Grain-Finished Steak (commonly referred to as Grain-Fed)

In contrast, grain-fed steak originating from cattle raised on a diet composed of grains like corn and soy, yields a different taste experience. Typically, the cattle are first raised on grass but transitioned to a grain-based diet during the final months of their lives. This process produces grain-finished beef. This diet leads to a higher fat content in the meat, resulting in marbling—a network of intramuscular fat that lends a more succulent, buttery, and tender texture that better accommodates other flavours. The longer the duration of grain-feeding, the more pronounced the marbling becomes. This marbling enhances the steak’s juiciness and creates a melt-in-the-mouth sensation, appealing to those who favour a luxuriously indulgent dining experience.

Which Is Better?

Grass-fed:
• Earthy and gamey
• Lean and less marbled • Firm and chewy

Grain-fed:
• Subtle taste
• More marbled and buttery • Tender and juicy

The choice between grass-fed and grain-fed steak hinges heavily on individual preferences— whether for the distinctive, unadulterated taste and lean texture of grass-fed beef or the sumptuously marbled, tender experience of grain-fed beef.

At Tomahawk Steakhouse, we take immense pride in crafting the ultimate steak experience. Our choice is unequivocal: we exclusively utilise Australian grain-fed wagyu beef. Here, the journey into indulgence begins with the very first bite, where our well-marbled grain-fed steak imparts a mouthful of exceptional juiciness and delight.