Where to Buy Grass Fed Beef in Houston

Houston is the most populous city in Texas and the fourth largest city in the United States. With its diverse cuisines and cultures, Houston has emerged as a major food city in recent years. The demand for high quality, ethically raised meats like grass fed beef has also grown exponentially. This article will explore the best places to buy grass fed beef in Houston.

What is Grass Fed Beef?

Before looking at where to buy it, let’s understand what grass fed beef really is. Grass fed beef comes from cows that have been allowed to graze on their natural diet of grass and other foraged plants for their entire lives. This is opposed to conventional grain fed beef cows that are fattened up with grains like corn in feedlots right before slaughter.

Here are some key differences between grass fed and conventional beef

Nutrition: Grass fed beef is higher in antioxidants like vitamin E, beta-carotene and vitamin C. It also has higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) which are great for heart health. Grass fed beef is lower in fat overall but contains more good fats.
Humane Cows that are able to graze on pasture and eat grass experience less stress and live healthier lives than cows cramped up in crowded feedlots. Grass fed beef promotes ethical sustainable meat production.
Taste: Due to the diverse nutrients and diet, grass fed beef has a distinctively rich and unique flavor profile. Many people find it to be more tender and delicious than conventional beef.

So by choosing grass fed beef you get greater nutritional benefits while also supporting more humane farming practices. It’s easy to see why demand for grass fed beef is growing!

Top Places to Buy Grass Fed Beef in Houston

If you want to enjoy high quality grass fed beef in Houston, here are the best places to shop:

Local Farms and Farmers Markets

Buying directly from a local farm is the best way to ensure you’re getting true grass fed beef in Houston. A few farms to check out:

1915 Farm – Family owned, pasture raised meats shipped nationwide from Boling, TX. Beef, pork, chicken, pet food and more.
Grassroots Farm – beyond organic, humanely raised meats from Smithville, TX. Grass fed beef, lamb, goat, free range chicken and more.
Phillips Farms – Specializing in grass fed beef from nellore cattle raised on pasture. Located in Bellville, TX and sell at area farmers markets.

Many of these farms sell at local Houston farmers markets like Urban Harvest Eastside, Bayou City Farmers Market, Spring Branch Farmers Market and more. Check their websites to find upcoming dates and locations. Buying directly from the farmer is your best bet for getting high quality grass fed beef from animals ethically raised right here in Texas.

Specialty Meat Shops

Some specialty butcher shops and meat markets in Houston offer grass fed beef options:

The Butcher’s Market – Full service butcher with locations in West U and Spring Branch. Great selection of pasture raised local meats.
Dai Due – Chef driven butcher shop and provisions supplier located in East Austin but they deliver to Houston weekly.
Johnny’s Gold Brick Meat Market – Old school butcher supplying grassfed beef from local farms. Locations in Garden Oaks/Oak Forest, Spring Branch and Webster.
Revival Market – Butcher and larder in Heights focused on locally sourced sustainable meats. Offer grass fed beef cuts.

These traditional butchers offer quality meat from animals humanely raised right here in Texas. You’ll find knowledgeable butchers that can guide you on cuts and preparations for grass fed beef.

Health Food Stores

Many health conscious shoppers love that Houston has great options when it comes to health food stores. Here are some that carry grass fed beef:

Whole Foods Market – Major natural foods chain with locations across Houston. Look for their “5-Step Animal Welfare” rated meats.
Sprouts Farmers Market – Specialty grocer focused on natural and organic foods. Several locations around Houston.
Central Market – Upscale gourmet grocer with impeccable meat departments. Grass fed beef sold at their Westheimer and North Lamar locations.
Phoenicia Specialty Foods – Massive gourmet grocery importer. Great source for grass fed lamb but also offer specialty beef cuts.

These stores are more accessible for finding grass fed beef across Houston. But be sure to read labels and confirm it is 100% grass fed and pasture raised for the animals’ entire lives.

Online Buying and Delivery

For the ultimate convenience, more people are choosing to buy grass fed beef online. Getting it shipped directly to your door takes the legwork out of finding it locally. Two great online sources are:

1915 Farm – Ships their pasture raised Texas beef, chicken and pork nationwide. Offer a la carte cuts or curated boxes.
ButcherBox – Subscription boxes of 100% grass fed beef, free range poultry and heritage breed pork. Deliver to Houston and surrounding areas.

Buying online is quick and easy. Just watch out for sketchy sources and vague labeling. Stick to reputable farms like 1915 Farm that can guarantee how their animals are ethically raised.

Tips for Cooking Grass Fed Beef

Grass fed beef requires some different cooking methods than conventional beef. Here are some tips:

Cook gently over lower heat. Grass fed beef has less fat so can dry out if cooked aggressively over high heat. Gentle braising or simmering is best.
Add moisture. Braise grass fed cuts in broth or wine. Roast with butter or oil basted on top. Grass fed ground beef for burgers will also benefit from added fats.
Don’t overcook. Check for doneness earlier and stop cooking at medium rare to prevent drying out. Grass fed beef has less marbling so turns from pink to brown fast.
Tenderize tougher cuts. Cuts like shoulder steak and top round roast will benefit from an acidic marinade or gentle pounding to break down fibers.

With the right prep and cooking methods, grass fed beef can be even more tender, juicy and flavorful than conventional beef. It just requires some adjustments to prevent drying out.

Enjoy Delicious Grass Fed Beef in Houston

Houstonians interested in the ethical, nutritional and flavor benefits of grass fed beef have more great options now than ever before. You can find local pasture raised beef at farmers markets, butcher shops, specialty grocers and even delivered right to your home. Just be diligent about verifying labels and claims when possible.

Grass fed beef may cost a little more than conventional beef but it is worth it for the humane farming practices and added health benefits you are supporting. Plus the great heartiness and umami flavors of grass fed beef make it a worthwhile splurge.

So next time you cook up a nice ribeye or have a grass fed beef burger, know that you are partaking in Houston’s exciting local food culture. And your food dollars are supporting regional farms using regenerative techniques to raise the healthiest, most ethical beef possible.

Grass Fed Beef – Everything You Need To Know And Where To Buy It

FAQ

Is grass-fed beef worth the extra money?

Yes. Numerous studies have shown that cattle raised on grass has a higher percentage of omega 3 fatty acids, CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), and the precursors for Vitamin A and Vitamin E.

Where does Walmart’s grass-fed beef come from?

Thanks to two cattle ranching families who came together years ago to farm grass-fed beef in Utah and Wyoming, we’re able to provide this option – our Marketside Butcher brand – at over 2,000 of our stores.

What is grass-fed beef called?

Simply put, grass-finished beef comes from cattle that ate nothing but grass and forage for their entire lives. Grass-fed, on the other hand, may be used to label meat from cattle that werestartedon a grass diet but have either received supplemental grain feed or are finished on a fully grain-based diet.

Is grass-fed beef too expensive?

The cost lies behind the fact that it takes longer for grass-fed cattle to reach their processing weight on an all-grass diet. Raising beef this way, though more sustainable, is more expensive for the farmer.