Ground Beef Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits (2024)

Ground beef, a convenient way to include protein and essential vitamins and minerals, is the primary ingredient in many favorite foods—from hamburgers to meatballs. Ground beef can be high in calories and saturated fat, and a high intake of red meat may come with health risks. Portion size and moderation are key to including it in your diet.

Ground Beef Nutrition Facts

The following ground beef nutrition information is provided by the USDAfor 3 ounces (85g) of cooked ground beef (85% lean), pan-browned, with no added fat or sodium.

  • Calories:218
  • Fat:13g
  • Sodium:76mg
  • Carbohydrates:0g
  • Fiber:0g
  • Sugars:0g
  • Protein:24g

Carbs

Ground beef contains no carbohydrates or fiber.

Fats

Many of the calories in ground beef come from fat. There are 13g of fat in a 3-ounce serving of cooked 85% lean ground beef. Of that total, 5gis saturated fat. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat consumption to 5% to 6% of daily calorie intake. That translates into about 13g of saturated fat per day if you eat a diet of 2,000 calories daily.

For context, a classic hamburger is typically between a quarter pound (4 ounces) to 6 ounces, yielding 6.7g to 10g saturated fat per burger patty.

Healthier fats in ground beef include monounsaturated fat (6 grams) and polyunsaturated fat (0.4 grams).

Protein

Ground beef is a good source of protein, providing 22g per 3-ounce serving.

Vitamins and Minerals

Beef is a good source of carnitine, zinc, selenium,iron, and B vitamins.Because your body can't store or produce B vitamins, you need to consume them in your diet.

Carnitine isa general term for several compounds including L-carnitine,acetyl-L-carnitine, and propionyl-L-carnitine. This nutrient is crucial for energy production since it transports long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria to be burned, producing energy.

Calories

There are 218 calories in 3 ounces (85g) of cooked ground beef (85% lean) that's been pan-browned with no additional fat. A total of 60% of the calories come from fat and 40% from protein.

Health Benefits of Ground Beef

The primary health benefits of beef come from the significant protein that it provides, as well as its vitamins and minerals.

Helps Build Cells

Protein is essential for maintaining muscle tissue and for various biological processes in your body daily. This macronutrient helps your body build bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood.The seleniumin beef is also essential for DNA synthesis.

Boosts Immune System

Beef contains several B vitamins, including thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6), folate (B9), and cobalamin (B12). These B vitamins and zinc in beef are essential to maintaining a healthy immune system.

Supports Hormone Production

The B vitamin niacin also aids in the proper function of many body systems, including the production of sex hormones. Selenium is essential for thyroid function.

Replenishes Iron Stores

Your body needs iron to help make red blood cells, among other functions. Dietary iron comes in two forms, non-heme, and heme—which is found in beef and other animal proteins. Heme iron is easier for the body to use, so you don't need to consume as much of it (vs. non-heme iron) to help stave off anemia and other problems stemming from low iron.

Allergies

It is possible to be allergic to beef. Those with a meat allergy may experience symptoms including hives, itchy skin, headaches, asthma, or in severe cases, anaphylaxis. Your healthcare provider can provide a wide range of tests to determine whether or not you have a meat allergy, and help you manage it if you do.

Adverse Effects

Eating a diet high in red meat has been associated with cardiovascular and other health problems, including an increased risk of colorectal cancer. These health risks apply to all types of red meat but are worse for processed red meats such as lunch meat and sausages (which may be made with beef or pork). Therefore, doctors recommend limiting the consumption of red and processed meats.

Varieties of Ground Beef

Grass-fed beef appears to have a healthier fat profile, with more beneficial fatty acids than meat from cattle-fed corn and soy feed. However, little research is available on the specific health benefits of grass-fed beef.

Ground beef is available in a range of lean/fat ratios, from 70% lean/30% fat to as little as 3% fat (97% lean). Calorie and fat totals change accordingly. The following ground beef nutrition facts provided by the USDA are for 3 ounces of broiled ground beef.

CaloriesTotal Fat (g)Saturated Fat (g)
70% lean235166.2
80% lean230155.8
90% lean184103.9
97% lean1303.81.9

Storage and Food Safety

There is a risk of foodborne bacteria in ground beef as the grinding process can expose more of the meat to any present bacteria. The USDA recommends storing ground beef at 40°F or below and using or freezing it within two days. To destroy harmful bacteria, always cook ground beef to a minimum internal temperature of 160°F. Avoid partially cooking ground beef, which allows bacteria to survive and multiply. Use safe food handling practices, such as regularly washing hands, surfaces, and utensils.

Refrigerate ground beef promptly after cooking, especially if the weather is hot. Beef will keep for three to four days in the refrigerator. Frozen, cooked ground beef can be stored for about four months.

How to Prepare Ground Beef

For best nutritional balance, limit your portion size of beef and combine it with healthy portions of vegetables and/or grains. Try one of these preparation ideas to maximize nutrition:

Make a Beef Sauté

Stir-frying and sautéing are both methods of cooking that use a small amount of hot oil. A healthy stir-fried or sautéed meal would include 3 ounces of lean beeffor each person plus lots of different vegetables and seasonings. The vegetables add volume to your meal, and the seasonings add flavor without added sugar.

Add Beans and Grains to Chili

If your favorite chili recipe calls for ground beef, cut back on the amount you use and replace it with beans and/or whole grains, such as quinoa, for more fiber and protein.

Start with Salad

Begin with a big bed of your favorite lettuce and greens and add lots of vegetables, a little cheese, some nuts, and even fruit. Sprinkle on a small amount of cooked ground beef or thinly sliced lean steak. Add a small amount of salad dressing made with olive or canola oil. The fresh vegetables add volume and antioxidants; the oils add healthy fats.

Make a Healthier Hamburger

Reduce saturated fat in your burger by combining lean ground turkey with ground beef. Choose a whole-grain bun and add lettuce, sprouts, tomato slices, mustard, or pickles.

9 Sources

Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Beef, ground, 85% lean meat / 15% fat, crumbles, cooked, pan-browned. FoodData Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture.

  2. Colorado State University Extension. Water-soluble vitamins: B-complex and vitamin C.

  3. National Institutes of Health. Carnitine: Health professional fact sheet.

  4. US Department of Agriculture. MyPlate: Nutrients and health benefits.

  5. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Iron: Fact sheet for health professionals.

  6. American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Meat allergy.

  7. Song M, Garrett WS, Chan AT. Nutrients, foods, and colorectal cancer prevention. Gastroenterology. 2015;148(6):1244-60.e16. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2014.12.035

  8. Wolk A. Potential health hazards of eating red meat. J Intern Med. 2017;281(2):106-122. doi:10.1111/joim.12543

  9. Daley CA, Abbott A, Doyle PS, Nader GA, Larson S. A review of fatty acid profiles and antioxidant content in grass-fed and grain-fed beef. Nutr J. 2010;9:10. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-9-10

Ground Beef Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits (1)

By Shereen Lehman, MS
Shereen Lehman, MS, is a former writer for Verywell Fit and Reuters Health. She's a healthcare journalist who writes about healthy eating and offers evidence-based advice for regular people.

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Ground Beef Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits (2024)

FAQs

Ground Beef Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits? ›

Ground beef contains essential nutrients, including high-quality protein for muscle growth, iron for healthy blood, B vitamins (B3, B6, B12) for metabolism and nerve function, zinc for immunity, and selenium for antioxidant defense.

Is eating ground beef healthy? ›

Lean beef helps support a strong body by providing important nutrients to build and replenish muscles and, among all the muscles in your body, your heart is arguably the most important. Keep it healthy by finding a balance of diet and exercise, the two cornerstones for building a strong, healthy heart.

What nutrients is ground beef high in? ›

Beef contains several essential nutrients including protein, iron, zinc, selenium, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, phosphorus, pantothenate, magnesium, and potassium.

Is ground beef a superfood? ›

Beef is an excellent source of high-quality protein, containing all the essential amino acids needed for muscle repair and growth. Eating beef will not only help to maintain muscle mass, but will also help promote recovery after workouts, and hit the MPS threshold (read more on that here).

How many times a week should you eat ground beef? ›

If you eat red meat, limit consumption to no more than about three portions per week. Three portions is equivalent to about 350–500g (about 12–18oz) cooked weight. Consume very little, if any, processed meat.

What are the cons of ground beef? ›

It may impact your cardiovascular health

Red meats are high in saturated fats, which can cause elevated levels of LDL (“bad” cholesterol) and put you at risk for cardiovascular disease.

What is the most unhealthy meat? ›

try to limit processed meat products such as sausages, salami, pâté and beefburgers, because these are generally high in fat – they are often high in salt, too. try to limit meat products in pastry, such as pies and sausage rolls, because they are often high in fat and salt.

Why do bodybuilders eat ground beef? ›

Containing 27 grams of complete proteins and 11 grams of saturated fats, and a whopping 200-plus calories per 100 gram serving, and loaded with a massive complement of iron, zinc, and B vitamins, ground beef is one former bodybuilding staple that is due for a resurgence.

What are the pros and cons of eating beef? ›

Beef is a good source of protein and other nutrients, but is also high in cholesterol and saturated fats that can cause fatty deposits to build up in the blood. Beef can be a healthy part of your diet, but should be eaten in moderation.

Can I eat beef every day? ›

Hu points out that the exact amounts for safely consuming red meat are open to debate. "The evidence shows that people with a relatively low intake have lower health risks," he says. "A general recommendation is that people should stick to no more than two to three servings per week."

What is the healthiest meat on the planet? ›

While meat can be a part of a healthy diet, not all sources are created equal. The leanest and healthiest meats to eat include poultry, pork, fish, and seafood. Eating a balanced diet is one of the keys to a healthy lifestyle, which means choosing various foods from different food groups, like proteins.

What is the healthiest ground beef to buy? ›

The meat from the loin primal is very lean, so it produces ground beef with the healthiest lean point. You will often hear ground sirloin called extra-lean ground beef. If you want to create a healthy menu and limit the saturated fat in your dishes, then ground sirloin is the best choice.

Is it better to eat ground beef or chicken? ›

Compared to beef, chicken is a better source of protein. As a result of its high-fat content, beef is a higher fat and higher calorie meat. Chicken has more vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B1, B3, and B5. However, beef is significantly higher in folate and vitamin B12.

Why do I feel better after eating red meat? ›

Red meat increases and sustains your energy

When you eat foods that are high in nutrients like red meat it makes you feel more full. These foods also help to keep your blood sugar levels normal and sustain your energy levels for longer periods of time.

Is it OK to eat ground meat everyday? ›

You Might Have an Increased Risk for Cancer

You've probably heard that eating more red and processed meat has been linked to colon cancer, and numerous scientific studies support this correlation. That's bad news for cheeseburger and hot dog lovers.

What is the healthiest red meat? ›

Stick with round, sirloin, or loin.

The National Cattleman's Beef Association top five lean cuts are: Eye of round – 1.4 g saturated fat, 4 g total fat. Sirloin tip side steak – 1.6 g saturated fat, 4.1 g total fat. Top round roast and Steak – 1.6 g saturated fat, 4.6 g total fat.

What is the healthiest meat to eat? ›

While meat can be a part of a healthy diet, not all sources are created equal. The leanest and healthiest meats to eat include poultry, pork, fish, and seafood.

Which ground meat is healthiest? ›

Ground beef and turkey are both nutritious meats that provide protein, fat, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Turkey is generally lower in saturated fat than beef. As such, it may be a better choice for heart health. Fat-free turkey is also the lowest calorie option if you're interested in weight loss.

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