Mince – a nutritional powerhouse and family favourite — BEEF + LAMB NEW ZEALAND (2024)

Mince is a loved family favourite for many reasons: it’s a cheaper cut of meat, it’s versatile, easy to prepare and freezes well. However, one of the most underrated benefits of mince is its nutrition profile.

Mince is a type of meat that you can’t go wrong with. You can make burger patties, meatballs, spaghetti bolognese, koftas, meatloaf, cottage pie – the meal possibilities are endless. Not only is mince an incredibly versatile meat, it is also packed full of nutrients that can help support good health and wellbeing.

With mince, you don’t need to eat a lot of it to get the nutritional goodness. In fact, a 100g portion of lean, stewed, beef mince contains a good source* of protein, zinc, vitamins B3 and B12. It also contains a source** of iron, potassium, phosphorus, vitamins B1, B2, and B6. On the whole, these nutrients are essential for everyday functioning and the infographic below shows how they can support health and wellbeing.

We can of course buy pork, chicken, venison, beef and lamb mince. However, when it comes to beef and lamb mince, you can get a range of grades depending on where you are shopping, with terms such as ‘premium’, ‘prime’ and, regular beef mince. So, what do they all mean? As a general rule of thumb, the ‘premium’ mince has the lowest fat content and is the leanest, followed by prime then standard beef mince. If the mince doesn’t have a grade name labelled, you can often tell the leanest mince by looking at the packs that have the least amount of fat dispersed through the mince. There is currently no standardisation of what the fat content needs to be to make these claims, however, any mince with the Beef + Lamb Quality Mark is guaranteed to have less than 10% fat and is regulated by auditors. Regardless of the mince you buy, one way to further reduce the fat in a meal using mince is to drain the liquid that forms with cooking.

Overall health and wellbeing are determined by your dietary pattern and your lifestyle over a long period of time (so don’t expect your hair and nails to grow rapidly overnight after having one bowl of spaghetti bolognese). Having good-quality protein sources every day is one step towards a healthy diet, and by pairing mince with other foods, like vegetables or wholegrains (e.g. brown rice, wholegrain bread), you can achieve a balanced meal and get other nutrients that mince can’t provide (e.g. fibre, vitamin C, vitamin A).

If you want to get creative in the kitchen why not give some of our mince recipes a try? Here are a few of our favourites - click the image to check out the recipe.

* A good source means the food contributes at least 25% of your recommended daily intake for a particular nutrient

**A source means the food contributes at least 10% of your recommended daily intake for a particular nutrient

Mince – a nutritional powerhouse and family favourite — BEEF + LAMB NEW ZEALAND (2024)

FAQs

Which is better lamb mince or beef mince? ›

Choosing between lamb and beef ground meat ultimately comes down to personal preference and the dish you're making. If you prefer a slightly milder and sweeter flavor with fewer calories, lamb may be the way to go. If you prefer a rich and meaty flavor with more fat and calories, beef may be your best bet.

Which mince meat is the healthiest? ›

Turkey mince is a healthier alternative to beef mince or lamb mince in dishes such as bolognese, chilli or meatballs.

Can you eat mince every day? ›

Red meat and processed meat

Processed meat can also be high in salt and eating too much salt can increase your risk of high blood pressure. If you currently eat more than 90g (cooked weight) of red or processed meat a day, it is recommended that you cut down to 70g.

What is the difference between prime and premium mince NZ? ›

Prime beef mince offers a reduced fat content at a moderate price. This is best for burgers, as the fat helps to keep the patties juicy. Premium beef mince offers the lowest fat content at a higher cost. This is best for stir-fries and pasta dishes where the fat isn't necessary.

What is the unhealthiest meat? ›

You have probably heard it many times already: don't eat too much red meat or processed foods. But research shows processed red meats, like bacon, hot dogs, and salami are the biggest problem.

Does lamb mince taste like beef? ›

Lamb has its very distinct taste whereas beef is mild. You can mix both to make gyro meat which is delicious. But I'd you try lamb burger with little bit mustard, it tastes great. Sure you cannot make meatloaf with lamb.

Is lamb bad for cholesterol? ›

Lamb has healthy fats.

They can help reduce levels of "bad" cholesterol in your blood, lowering your risk for heart disease and stroke. Monounsaturated fats also have vitamin E, an antioxidant. Healthy fats are an important part of a balanced diet. They can help your body absorb nutrients.

Is ground beef the same as mince? ›

Ground meat, called mince or minced meat outside North America, is meat finely chopped by a meat grinder or a chopping knife. A common type of ground meat is ground beef, but many other types of meats are prepared in a similar fashion, including pork, veal, lamb, goat meat, and poultry.

What is the best mince meat to buy? ›

The Chuck Steak is one of the best cuts to use for mince because it has great texture & flavour, grinding up perfectly.

When should you not eat mince? ›

Store mince correctly

If a package of minced meat or other meat is a brown-grey colour on the surface and all the way through, then it may be spoiled. Spoiled meat will have off an obvious 'sour' or 'off' smell and feel tacky to the touch. Don't take any chances with spoiled meat. If in doubt, throw it out.

What are processed meats to avoid? ›

Eating too much bacon, sausages, hot dogs, canned meat, or lunch meat—meat that has been processed in some way to preserve or flavor it—is bad for health, according to experts. A number of studies have found links between processed meat and various forms of cancer, as well as heart disease and diabetes.

What is the healthiest red meat to eat? ›

7 Most Nutritious Red Meats
  • Extra Lean Beef. Beef is probably the most well-known choice when it comes to nutrient-dense red meat. ...
  • Beef Liver. Beef liver is one of the healthiest red meats you can choose for a nutrient dense food. ...
  • Bison. ...
  • Lamb. ...
  • Venison. ...
  • Pork. ...
  • Ostrich.
Nov 23, 2023

Why does beef mince taste different? ›

Diet is one of the most influential factors that impacts beef flavor and aroma. This is because the dietary nutrients cattle consume directly impact the fatty acid profile and nutrient profile of their fat. One of the most-common mantras in the meat industry is that fat is flavor.

What percentage of fat is in New Zealand mince? ›

Flavoursome grass fed new zealand prime beef mince, containing typically 87% meat and 13% fat.

Is prime beef better than Angus? ›

Since Angus is a breed and USDA Prime is a grade of beef it's not a “this vs that” comparison. Angus beef can be graded as USDA Prime but could also grade as “Choice” or “Select.” Beef sourced from Angus cattle is often high quality, but diet, genetics, and handling practices all contribute to the final product.

Is lamb better for you than ground beef? ›

If we look at fatty acids, like CLA and omega-3's, lamb comes out victorious and can be seen as marginally healthier. If we look at vitamins, like B12 and zinc, beef comes out victorious. The bottom line is both are excellent and both should be eaten with abundance!

What is the best type of mince to buy? ›

Which mince to choose for your recipe?
Mince gradeBest for
Leanest (little or no fat in the pan)Minced-meat sauces e.g. bolognaise
Mid-range (a little more fat to keep the recipe moist)Burgers, meatballs, kofta, meatloaf
Regular grade (spoon off the fat as you brown the mince)All-purpose choice

How healthy is lamb mince? ›

Nutritional Benefits of Lamb

One 3-ounce serving of lamb has 15 grams of protein, almost a third of the recommended daily intake for adults. A diet high in protein is ideal for athletes, people seeking to lose weight, and people recovering from surgery or injury. Lamb contains important vitamins and minerals.

What is the best minced meat? ›

The Chuck Steak is one of the best cuts to use for mince because it has great texture & flavour, grinding up perfectly.

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