Why Grass Fed Burgers Make Great Barbecue and Great Neighbors

My youngest sister Janice moved into a new neighborhood a few years back where she knew absolutely no one.

A community organizer and social butterfly,
for her the obvious way to "settle in" and meet the neighbors was to host a neighborhood barbecue.

She had her sons go door to door with invitations for a potluck and she let everyone know she
would provide burgers. But not just any burgers...

She mail ordered delicious grass fed burgers online because grass fed beef is healthier than grain fed beef. She wanted to treat her guests to really good food. Lean beef, 10% fat or less, can be part of a heart healthy diet. Generally it will have more omega 3 fatty acids, more conjugate linoleic acid, a nutrient associated with lowering cancer risk, and more antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin E.

Cows that eat grass and are raised sustainably have less risk of E. coli bacteria and other diseases. Their meat has fewer calories than grain fed meat.

Grass fed beef burgers are best when they are rare or medium rare. They should be seared over high heat and then finished off over reduced heat. With less fat content, they cook faster than grain fed burgers so watch them.  Always remove burgers before they are done as they continue to cook off the grill.

A good way to prepare burgers from grass fed beef is to make the patties thick and coat them with extra virgin olive oil. Creativity that adds  moisture will elevate the burgers from standard fare to a stupendous meal. Try  caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, olives, a pat of butter and of course barbecue sauce. Burger toppings like fresh lettuce, tomatoes and condiments also add moisture.

The taste of grass fed burgers is uniquely interesting. There is variation that comes from the breed of cow, the season and the location of the pasture used as feed.  Many people prefer it to grain fed beef.

Janice and her husband Steve flipped burgers for about 20 people.  Their guests outdid each other with salads, sides, and desserts. The neighborhood barbecue has become an annual event and grown to include friends and family.

The delicious grass fed burgers purchased online were the start of something great. How easy is that?