Know the Byproducts and Specialty Items Available from Grass-Fed Beef
Grass-fed beef isn’t just about steaks and roasts. From nutrient-dense organ meats and flavorful specialty cuts to versatile fats, bones, and even non-food items, the entire animal offers value. These byproducts and specialty items support nose-to-tail eating, enhance sustainability, and provide unique culinary and nutritional benefits that many buyers overlook.
What Organ Meats Are Available from Grass-Fed Cattle?
Organ meats from grass-fed cattle, often referred to as "offal," are highly nutritious and historically prized parts of the animal. Grass-fed beef liver is particularly rich in vitamin A, B vitamins, iron, and essential minerals. A 3-ounce serving of cooked beef liver contains over 100% of the recommended daily intake for vitamin A, along with significant amounts of iron and B vitamins. Many buyers seek out grass-fed heart and kidneys for their dense nutrient profile and potential benefits for cardiovascular and renal health. Supplement products like desiccated organ capsules, such as those made from liver, heart, and kidney, also derive from these nutrient-dense organs (Yemchuk, 2025).
To compare these nutrient-dense organ meats side by side, here’s a breakdown of their benefits and nutritional highlights:
What Can You Do with Beef Fat, Tallow, or Suet?
Grass-fed beef tallow and suet offer versatile applications both in the kitchen and beyond. Beef tallow, rendered from suet (the hard fat surrounding the kidneys and loins), is a traditional cooking fat known for its high smoke point and rich flavor. Fat from grass-fed cattle contains significantly higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) compared to grain-fed alternatives. Beyond culinary uses, tallow can be used for skincare products such as soaps, balms, and even candles due to its moisturizing properties and long shelf life. Buying grass-fed beef tallow ensures that the fat you consume or use retains the nutritional benefits of grass-fed beef, including higher levels of omega-3s and CLA (“Effects of Time on Feed on Beef Nutrient Composition,” 2013).
To help visualize just how versatile grass-fed beef fat can be, here’s a grid showing its most common uses:
Can You Use Grass-Fed Beef Bones for Broth or Marrow?
Grass-fed beef bones are ideal for making bone broth, a nutrient-dense stock rich in collagen, gelatin, minerals, and amino acids. Common options include marrow bones, knuckle bones, and meaty soup bones. Bone broth made from grass-fed bones contains higher levels of omega-3s and antioxidants compared to conventional broth. Grass-fed beef bones also yield more calcium and magnesium when simmered, contributing to the nutritional profile of the broth. A study published in the Journal of Food Science analyzed the nutritional content of bone broth obtained from bovine femur bones and found that a 100 mL serving contained 248.5 mg of protein, 232.9 mg of amino acids, and 25.0 mg of minerals, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and iron (González et al., 2023). The amino acid profile was rich in essential amino acids such as histidine, arginine, and lysine, as well as non-essential amino acids like glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and glycine. These findings suggest that bone broth made from grass-fed beef bones can be a valuable source of nutrients that support joint, skin, and gut health.
Are There Specialty Cuts Like Tongue, Oxtail, or Cheeks?
Specialty cuts like beef tongue, oxtail, and cheeks are flavorful and often more affordable parts of the animal. Beef tongue is tender when slow-cooked and a traditional delicacy in many cuisines. Oxtail provides gelatin-rich broth and hearty stews, while beef cheeks yield incredibly tender meat ideal for braising. These cuts are often overlooked but offer culinary diversity and whole-animal utilization benefits.
What Preserved Items Like Jerky or Pemmican Come from Grass-Fed Beef?
Grass-fed beef provides a variety of preserved products, such as beef jerky and pemmican, which are portable, shelf-stable, and nutrient-dense. Grass-fed beef jerky is a popular option, known for having fewer additives and higher omega-3 content compared to conventional jerky. Similarly, pemmican—a traditional food made from dried meat and fat—is highly energy-dense and shelf-stable, offering a convenient, nutrient-rich snack. Both jerky and pemmican showcase the practice of nose-to-tail eating and are favored by health-conscious consumers for their high-quality, natural ingredients. These preserved products maintain many of the beneficial nutrients found in fresh grass-fed beef, such as omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.
Are There Grass-Fed Beef Products for Pets?
Grass-fed beef byproducts such as liver, heart, and bones are increasingly used in pet treats and raw feeding diets. Pet owners interested in natural, species-appropriate diets often source grass-fed organ meats or marrow bones for dogs and cats. When considering pet food options, ensure that the supplier follows safe handling practices and offers products free of additives and preservatives.
What Non-Food Items Can Be Made from Grass-Fed Beef?
Beyond food, grass-fed beef byproducts are used to craft artisan goods like soaps and candles. Beef tallow is a primary ingredient in traditional soap-making and offers superior moisturizing qualities compared to plant oils. Handmade tallow candles burn cleanly and efficiently, making them a sustainable alternative to paraffin-based candles.
Where to Find These Cuts, Organs, and Byproducts
For those who want to make the most of these specialty items, buying grass-fed beef in bulk is often the most economical and complete way to access them. When you purchase a whole cow, buy ½ of a grass fed cow, buy a quarter cow, or even order an eighth share of a cow, you're more likely to receive organ meats, bones, fat, and specialty cuts along with the steaks and roasts. If you're wondering where you can buy grass-fed beef or are interested in buying grass-fed beef from a ranch, many small-scale producers offer customizable bulk orders that support nose-to-tail consumption and sustainable agriculture.
Conclusion
Grass-fed beef offers far more than just premium steaks. When you explore the full range of byproducts—from nutrient-rich organ meats to cooking fats, soup bones, preserved snacks, and even non-food artisan goods—you unlock the complete value of the animal. These specialty items reflect a nose-to-tail philosophy that supports sustainability, nutrition, and whole-animal respect. Whether you're sourcing directly from a ranch or through bulk beef shares, understanding and utilizing these lesser-known parts is key to making the most of your grass-fed investment.
2025-12-09
2025-12-09
Sources:
Yemchuk, Yelena. “Is Beef Liver a 'Superfood'? What Science Says About Its Benefits.” Verywell Health, 9 May 2025, https://www.verywellhealth.com/is-beef-liver-a-superfood-11717115 “Effects of Time on Feed on Beef Nutrient Composition.” Journal of Animal Science, vol. 91, no. 8, 2013, pp. 3053–3067. González, M. A., et al. “Analysis of the Anti-Inflammatory Capacity of Bone Broth in a Murine Model of Ulcerative Colitis.” Journal of Food Science, vol. 88, no. 5, 2023, pp. 2115–2123.