Ground Chuck vs. Ground Beef: 4 Key Differences

Ground chuck is a set of different primal cuts of beef that come from the front part of the cow near its shoulders. These specific cuts of meat generally come with a high fat percentage and more connective tissue. People often use ground chuck roast to make hamburger meat or meatballs.

Regular ground beef is made up of different trimmings and cuts of ground meat from all around the cow’s body. There are various types of ground beef: ground sirloin comes from the loin region of a cow near its hind legs; ground round from the rump; brisket from its chest; shank from its legs; and so on. For that matter, plenty of ground beef is a combination of all of the above.

Ground chuck and ground beef, both of which come from cows, have plenty of similarities, but there are still some key differences.

1. 1. Cohesion: Since ground chuck is fattier and not as lean as ground beef, it coheres and sticks together easier than the latter. This makes it a candidate for the best burger choice, whereas the looser consistency of ground beef can make it a better option for tacos or a stroganoff.
2. 2. Fat content: Ground chuck generally has a higher amount of fat than regular ground beef, since the latter is often made up primarily of lean meat and the former comes from one of the fattier sections of a cow. Some ground beef also has a high fat ratio, but extra-lean ground beef is readily available for those looking to find a lower fat percentage in their red meat. For the leanest beef products, USDA guidelines say meat advertised as extra-lean must have under five percent fat.
3. 3. Flavor: The additional fat in ground chuck can make it juicier than ground beef and give it extra flavor. It usually comes in around twenty percent fat and eighty percent lean meat. Both types can lose fat while you’re grilling them, reducing some of the juicy flavor.
4. 4. Price: Ground chuck can sometimes be a more expensive cut than ground beef since the latter is often made by grinding together the less expensive portions of a cow overall. Still, prices will depend on the specific types of ground chuck and ground beef sold at your local butcher or grocery store.

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