Top Ground Beef Brands for Flavorful Dishes

Choosing the right brand of ground beef can make a significant difference in the flavor and quality of your meals. With so many options available on the market, it can be overwhelming to determine which brands truly stand out. In this article, we'll explore some of the top-rated ground beef brands known for their superior taste, humane farming practices, and commitment to quality. Whether you're planning a classic burger or a hearty chili, discover the best brands to elevate your cooking experience below.

Illustration of ground beef

Best brands of ground beef in 2025

Laura's Lean Beef

Laura's Lean Beef is a renowned brand known for its high-quality, lean ground beef, with products like the 92% and 96% lean ground beef options that contain no additives or artificial ingredients. Founded in 1985, the company has grown to distribute its products in over 6,700 stores across 47 US states, achieving a compounded annual growth rate of over 10% in the last decade. Their beef is sourced from cattle raised without added hormones or antibiotics and is certified by the American Heart Association for its heart-healthy qualities. The 92% lean ground beef contains less than 10 grams of fat per serving, while the 96% lean option has less than 5 grams of fat per serving. This commitment to quality and health has made Laura's Lean Beef a favorite among health-conscious consumers.

Organic Prairie

Organic Prairie stands out as a premier producer of ground beef, distinguished by its commitment to organic and pasture-raised practices. As a farmer-owned co-op, Organic Prairie was instrumental in creating the USDA Organic Standards and became the first certified organic meat company. Their ground beef products, such as the 85/15 lean-to-fat ratio, are highly regarded for their juicy flavor and versatility. Organic Prairie's products account for a significant portion of the organic ground beef market, which has seen a 5.4% average growth from 2020 to 2023. This brand's dedication to family farms and animal stewardship aligns with growing consumer demand for transparency and organic produce.

Strauss Brands

Strauss Brands is renowned for its high-quality ground beef products, particularly under its Grass Rooted label, which focuses on American-raised grass-fed beef. The company has recently expanded its beef product offerings through a partnership with Texas-based Eddy Foods, adding value-added products like smoked sausage and slow-smoked brisket. Despite discontinuing veal and lamb production at its Franklin, Wisconsin plant in October 2023, Strauss Brands remains committed to its grass-fed beef line, relocating production to a state-of-the-art facility in Mundelein, Illinois. This move ensures continued quality and customer service, reflecting the company's dedication to its products. Strauss Brands' ground beef, such as its 95% lean meat products, is known for its nutritional value, including high protein content and minimal fat. For more details on their business developments, you can read more about Strauss Brands selling its veal and lamb business.

Creekstone Farms

Creekstone Farms is a renowned producer of high-quality ground beef, known for its stringent standards and premium products. Founded in 2003, the company specializes in Black Angus beef and has expanded to include Duroc pork, focusing on antibiotic-free and hormone-free production. Nearly 90% of consumers purchase beef with production claims or premium attributes, and Creekstone Farms meets this demand with its USDA Choice and Prime beef, grading at 85% Choice and 12% Prime, significantly higher than the industry average of 2% Prime. Their "Never, Ever" program ensures animals are raised without hormones or antibiotics and are treated humanely. Creekstone Farms' products are highly regarded, with substantial presence in both foodservice and retail markets.

Strauss Brands

Strauss Brands is a notable producer of high-quality ground beef, particularly focusing on grass-fed and grass-finished products. Despite recent restructuring, including the closure of its Franklin facility and the sale of its veal and lamb business to Catelli Brothers, Strauss continues to expand its beef product offerings through a partnership with Texas-based Eddy Foods. This partnership enhances their capability to produce value-added, ready-to-eat products such as smoked sausage and marinated barbecue. Strauss Brands is committed to maintaining quality and customer service, relocating production to the state-of-the-art Ruprecht facility in Mundelein, Illinois. The company's dedication to grass-fed beef aligns with the increasing demand for natural and antibiotic-free products.

Meyer Natural Angus

Meyer Natural Angus is renowned for producing high-quality ground beef, sourced from 100% American-raised cattle raised without added hormones or antibiotics on a vegetarian-fed diet. Established in 1990 by Bob Meyer, the brand operates on a 30,000-acre ranch in Montana, adhering to stringent humane handling standards and environmentally sound practices. Meyer Natural Angus ground beef, such as their 80/20 Grass-Fed Angus Ground Beef, offers a premium eating experience with 19g of protein and 23g of total fat per serving. The brand's commitment to excellence has been consistent for over 25 years, ensuring top-quality products. Their products are also available through other brands, such as HEB Natural Angus Beef, which competes with Certified Angus Beef® in the market.

Holy Cow Beef

Holy Cow Beef stands out as a premium producer of ground beef, offering 100% grassfed and grass-finished products that are free from antibiotics, added hormones, pesticides, and herbicides. Their cattle are raised on sustainable, regenerative farms, ensuring high-quality protein with each serving. For instance, their beef skin snacks contain 8g of protein and 7g of collagen per pack, making them a healthier alternative. The company has also prevented 50,000 pounds of waste from going to landfills by upcycling cattle hides. With certifications from the Global Animal Partnership for animal welfare, Holy Cow Beef prioritizes both the health of consumers and the well-being of the animals.

Neiman Ranch

Niman Ranch stands out as a premier producer of ground beef, renowned for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and humane practices. The brand works with over 750 independent U.S. family farmers and ranchers, ensuring that 35 to 40 percent of their beef is graded prime, significantly higher than the industry average of 1.5 to 2 percent. Niman Ranch cattle are 100% Angus, raised on pasture or in deeply bedded pens without antibiotics or added hormones, and are bred, born, raised, and processed in the U.S. The company's rigorous protocols, developed under the direction of Temple Grandin, emphasize traditional agriculture practices that benefit the land, animals, and farmers. This dedication to quality and sustainability has led to a 75 percent growth in their network of farms over five years. For more information about their Niman Ranch ground beef, visit their website.

1855 Black Angus

The 1855 Black Angus brand is renowned for producing some of the highest quality ground beef, sourced from Angus cattle that are consistently graded upper 2/3 USDA Choice or better, with the option for USDA Prime available. Only 10% of the cattle raised by JBS's network of Northern Plains family ranchers meet the stringent 1855 criteria, ensuring exceptional marbling and flavor. These cattle are fed a grain-based diet for 90 to 120 days to achieve optimal marbling. The brand, which originated from Gustavus F. Swift's entry into the beef industry in 1855, is now part of JBS, the largest meat supplier in the world. The 1855 brand's commitment to quality and consistency makes it a top choice for ground beef. You can explore more about their esteemed offerings on the 1855 Beef page.

Pat LaFrieda Meats

Pat LaFrieda Meats is a renowned brand and one of the best producers of ground beef, with a legacy spanning over a century since its inception in 1922. The company, now in its fourth generation, is celebrated for its high-quality meats sourced from small domestic farms across the country. Pat LaFrieda Meats offers over 100 different special blends of ground beef, including the innovative 50-50 LaFrieda 50CUT burger blend, which combines premium ground beef with mushrooms for enhanced flavor and nutrition. Their state-of-the-art facility boasts the largest dry aging room in the industry, holding over 12,000 primals. The company generates annual revenue of $35 million and supplies over 1,600 of the nation's finest restaurants.