It can be hard to tell the difference between various types of ground beef. They all look the same. What could be the difference? Is one better than the other? What does each one offer that the other does not? Those are probably just a few of the questions that may have ran through your head as you stood at the meat section trying to decipher which cut to take home with you. Well, each cut of meat offers something unique for sure and let’s delve into two common ground beef cuts that you probably have seen before.
Ground Chuck vs. Ground Sirloin
Ground chuck refers to the meat that comes from the shoulder of the cow. This part of the cow is known to produce meats that are quite fatty, with a lot of connective tissue. On the other hand, ground sirloin is known as short loin and comes from the middle of the cow. Sirloin is often associated with some of the most popular steaks such as Filet Mignon and Porterhouse. The main differences you can expect in ground chuck vs. ground sirloin is fat content. While ground chuck has a higher fat content at around 15%-20% fat, ground sirloin is leaner with a fat percentage of about 8-10%. For this reason, ground chuck is known to produce a juicy, fatty taste to meat while ground sirloin provides a tender, strong beef flavor. Neither is really regarded as better than the other. Both have unique qualities to them that make them suited for different types of recipes.
Best Cut for Burgers?
As stated before, the best type of cut will depend on what you are looking to make! If you want to have a big barbecue celebration and want to feature burger patties or a meatball platter, then you should definitely opt for chuck over sirloin. Chuck is the best type of cut for burgers, mainly because of its fat content. The fat content allows the meat to stick together well without falling apart on the griller. Furthermore, the meat will not dry out as quickly, providing you with a juicy burger or meatball selection! Sirloin is rated as tender and flavorful, but is not the best kind of meat for burgers due to its low fat content. The lean quality of ground sirloin makes it dry out very quickly. It is also harder to form shapes because there is not enough fat to make it stick well together.
Best Cut for Meat Sauces and Chili?
If you need a great option for loose, crumbled meat then opt for ground sirloin instead. Ground sirloin is better for recipes that call for crumbled ground beef like tacos, meat sauces, etc. These types of recipes don’t need meat with a high fat content in order to produce a well rounded, flavorful, and tender meat. The smaller shape also means that it will cook faster and will not dry out as quickly. The leaner fat content also means that you can make a healthier version of the recipes you love too! Whether you are making cheesy baked lasagna or a delicious taco salad, ground sirloin can be a great option for healthier lunch and dinner alternatives.
Price Range
The prices of these two types of meat will vary. Ground sirloin is known to be a more expensive cut than ground chuck so for the most part you can expect to dish out a bit more for ground sirloin. 1 lb. of ground chuck will typically range from $4.70 to $4.99 while 1 lb. of ground sirloin will typically range from $5.50 to $5.99. In other words, the price difference can be around 50 cents to possibly a little bit over a $1 per pound. Ground sirloin is often more expensive due to the fact that sirloin in general is well known for creating popular steaks.
Overall, those are the basic differences you can expect between ground sirloin and ground chuck. The best meat for you will depend on the type of recipe you are making. So, pick the one that best suits your recipe needs (or take both!). Both are incredible options for creating a delicious dinner meal.
