If you’re trying to feed your family better-quality meat, it can be hard to know what all the labels really mean. Grass-fed, grass-finished, pasture-raised, organic... and once you bring that meat home, does it need to be cooked differently?
In this episode, Josh and I are talking about the meat we eat here on our homestead and why the way an animal is raised and fed matters so much to us.
We’ll explain the difference between grass-fed and grass-finished beef, what pasture-raised really means for chickens and pigs, and how you can start sourcing better meat without feeling like you have to make the jump to “perfect” overnight.
Then we’re taking the conversation into the kitchen. I’ll share a simple way to think about different cuts of meat so you know whether to cook them hot and fast or low and slow. Once you understand whether you’re working with a tender or hardworking cut, cooking meat becomes much less complicated.
We also talk about buying meat directly from local farmers, purchasing beef or pork in bulk, and why pasture-raised meat can have more variation in flavor and texture than what you may be used to from the grocery store.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s simply to take the next step toward better food for your family.
Time Stamps:
0:00 - Introduction & Chit Chat
5:30 - Grand Teton Ancient Grains
9:14 - Main Topic
👉 Watch our podcast all about meat terminology and how to know what you're buying here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUB9x7QeoFM
🌻 Keep your eyes on School of Traditional Skills for the upcoming class with the Doughertys on feeding your animals from your homestead:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/STS_Member_n
🌾 Thanks to Grand Teton Ancient Grains for sponsoring this podcast. Be sure to check out all their regeneratively grown grain and get 10% off your order with coupon code "homesteadingfamily" now through October 2026:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/ancientgrains
#EverydayHomesteading #GrassFedBeef #GrassFinishedBeef #PastureRaised #HomesteadingFamily #podcast #homesteadingpodcast
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MORE ABOUT US!
WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo
Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us!
Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily
Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily
Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily
A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!!
Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt
Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop
Meals on Your Shelf – Can along with me! Learn to can and put jars of a delicious meal on your pantry shelf with this FREE video series: https://homesteadingfamily.com/MOYS-free-workshop
FREE PDF DOWNLOADS:
- Homesteading Family's Favorite Holiday Recipes - Grab all of our family’s favorite holiday recipes. https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-holiday-recipes
- 5 Steps to a More Self-Sufficient Life - Simple steps anyone can take wherever they are to start a more self-sufficient lifestyle. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsYT
- Thrive Wellness Checklist - A simple guide for healthy living: https://homesteadingfamily.com/TWC_YT
- Permaculture for Your Homestead- An introduction to permaculture with some strategies for applying it to one’s homestead and garden.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/PFYH_YT
- Carolyn’s Cottage Garden herb list - Carolyn’s favorite herbs for growing at home.
https://homesteadingfamily.com/CGHL_YT
- Carolyn’s Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles - These easy casseroles are a life-saver for busy weeks! https://homesteadingfamily.com/MABC_YT
- Your FREE Guide to Preserving Eggs - Grab your guide to preserving eggs with multiple methods. https://homesteadingfamily.com/Eggs_YT
- 5 Steps to a Healthy Garden - Get an explanation of what makes healthy soil and 5 steps you can take to improve your garden. https://homesteadingfamily.com/5StepsGardenYT
- Save the Crumbs- Several Recipes for using bread leftovers, a less committal entry to bread than the workshop. https://homesteadingfamily.com/STC_YT
- Fearless Fermenting- A simple guide on basic lacto-ferments. https://homesteadingfamily.com/FF_YT
- Preserving Culinary Herbs - Downloadable, step-by-step directions to drying, freezing, and salting culinary herbs. https://homesteadingfamily.com/PCH_YT
- Render Your Own Lard - Grab these easy instructions on how to render your own lard. https://homesteadingfamily.com/RYL_YT