Common questions

Is Ground Beef healthy?

Ground Beef scores 85/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — one of the stronger scores in Scout's catalog. This product consists solely of beef, which is a minimally processed, high-quality source of complete protein and essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamin B12.

How processed is Ground Beef?

Ground Beef is NOVA Group 1: Unprocessed or Minimally Processed Foods.

Which ingredients drive Ground Beef's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Beef counts in its favor. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

Member's Mark Organic Ground Beef

Member's Mark

$16.00

85% Lean/15% Fat Ground Beef

Steakhouse Naturals

96/4 GROUND BEEF

Butcher's Specialty by Lidl

Ground Beef 90/10

NZ Springville Grass Fed Beef

See more

Ground Beef

Name: Ground Beef
Brand: H-E-B

H-E-B

Excellent

Analysis updated August 2026 · How Scout scores

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At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 1

Harmful ingredients 0

Owned by H-E-B

Category Meat and Seafood

Summary

This product consists solely of beef, which is a minimally processed, high-quality source of complete protein and essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. The lack of additives or harmful ingredients contributes to its high rating, although grass-fed or organic beef could offer additional health benefits.

Key ingredients 1

Beef

Good

Beef is a high-quality source of complete protein, providing all essential amino acids necessary for muscle growth and repair. It is rich in important nutrients such as iron, zinc, and vitamin B12, which are crucial for various bodily functions. Grass-fed or organic beef may offer additional health benefits due to higher omega-3 fatty acid content.

Risks

Excessive consumption of red meat has been linked to increased risk of certain health issues, such as heart disease and colorectal cancer.

Benefits

Beef provides essential nutrients like iron and vitamin B12, supporting energy levels and cognitive function. It is also a rich source of high-quality protein, beneficial for muscle maintenance and growth.

See more about Beef →

Processing

Group 1 · Minimally processed

Unprocessed or Minimally Processed Foods

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