I was just introduced to a new delivery service for steaks called Herd and Grace. Just launched as a consumer brand, they’ve been importing high-quality, sustainably-raised, grass-fed beef from Australia and Tasmania for years, but they’ve only been selling to restaurants, until now.
The steaks they sell are amazingly delicious, and I was very impressed with the quality and flavor.
Plus when you see how they raise the cows, you’re going to wish you could be there and go swimming with them. (Yes, the cows go in the ocean!)
I Eat Beef
I am a carnivore, and my family and I enjoy eating steaks and other cuts of beef. I’ve found that beyond the enjoyment of the meal, I feel I’ve personally benefitted from the nutrients I get from beef, like iron and omega-3 fatty acids, plus I’m able to feel full sooner and eat smaller portions of food overall, so for me, that’s been a good thing for my weight loss, too.
I’m aware of the environmental costs associated with raising cattle, and as a consumer I’ve paid attention to labels, making an effort to know where my food comes from and what it costs the planet, not just what it costs me in terms of money.
It’s another reason I am happy to talk about Herd and Grace; the company sources their product from farmers who raise their cattle on sustainably grazed pastures, which they say reduces topsoil erosion, as well as lowering emissions of methane and greenhouse gasses.
These Tasmanian and Australian farmers use “old world sustainable agriculture” to raise cattle simply, without ever using feed lots, or other conventional methods. The cows graze on the pastures, spend time outdoors and in the ocean, and somehow that all contributes fantastic tasting steaks.
I Want to Feed my Family High Quality Beef
So although I’m a meat-eater, I don’t eat beef every day. All the more reason to source the highest quality beef I can find when I do choose to have it. Herd and Grace offers Michelin and AAA rated restaurant-quality meat, raised sustainably, with no GMOs or hormones, which may be better than I could find in my local stores, but it’s at least as good as what I could find nearby.
And I can get it delivered right to my door, which is a convenience factor I love.
What’s the Difference Between Grass-Fed Cattle and Conventionally Raised Cattle?
Since I was learning about the steaks sold by Herd and Grace, I wanted to learn more about different farming methods, so I did a little research. There are several differences between the beef that comes from grass-fed cattle and from conventionally raised cattle:
– Diet: Grass-fed cattle eat a natural diet of grass and forage, while conventionally raised cattle are often fed a corn-based diet. This difference in diet can affect the nutritional content of the meat, as well as the flavor.
– Nutrition: Grass-fed beef tends to be leaner and lower in total fat than conventionally raised beef, while also containing higher levels of certain nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and antioxidants.
– Flavor: Grass-fed beef has a distinctive flavor that is often described as being more robust and earthy than conventionally raised beef. This is due in part to the animal’s natural diet of grass and forage, which imparts a unique flavor to the meat.
– Environmental impact: Grass-fed beef is generally considered to be more environmentally sustainable than conventionally raised beef, as it requires less fossil fuel consumption and has a lower carbon footprint.
– Animal welfare: Grass-fed beef is often associated with higher standards of animal welfare, as the animals are allowed to graze freely and lead more natural lives than conventionally raised cattle.
Overall, grass-fed beef seems to be the healthier and more environmentally sustainable option, while having higher standards of animal welfare, and in my experience it offers a more distinctive and superior flavor.
However, it may also be more expensive and may not be as widely available as conventionally raised beef. So I did a little comparison shopping.
How Does the Price of Herd and Grace Compare to Grocery Stores?
Here in Los Angeles, we have a few choices for buying reasonably high-quality beef, and while I can’t vouch for where these supermarkets source their beef from, nor whether it was all grass-fed, I will say that I checked for the highest quality available to me.
Notes: Bear in mind that it’s not a direct steak-to-steak comparison (if you will) because my local stores don’t carry Tasmanian beef. My local stores also don’t have all the same cuts Herd and Grace sells, so I’ve only compared a few. I acknowledge that I haven’t compared the price of Herd and Grace against other mail-order steaks. These prices were valid as of February 2023 and of course are subject to change. I’ll update them as I can.
| Cut | Herd & Grace | Whole Foods | Gelson’s | Bristol Farms | Costco |
| New York | $49.99/pd estimated | $17.99/pd | $24.99/pd | $22.49/pd | $11.99/pd |
| Ribeye | $49.99/pd estimated | $19.99/pd | $27.99/pd | $35.29 | $19.99/pd |
| Fliet Mignon | $79.98/pd estimated | n/a | $49.99/pd | $41.79/pd | $24.99/pd |
Benefits of Membership
Herd and Grace offers a few ways to buy steaks. You can choose from curated boxes, you can customize your own box with all your favorites, or you can choose individual items, as long as you reach the minimum order threshold.
The Herd and Grace membership gives a 10% discount, shipping credits, an exclusive welcome bonus gift, and other members-only perks, so it’s something to consider when you check them out.
Learning How To Choose a Steak
There are several important things to keep in mind to ensure you get the best quality and value for your money, including:
– Cut: Different cuts of beef have different characteristics and are suited to different cooking methods. For example, tenderloin steaks are very tender and require minimal cooking, while flank steaks are tougher and benefit from marinating and longer cooking times. Research the different cuts available and choose one that fits your desired flavor and cooking method.
– Grade: Beef is graded based on its quality, with the USDA grading system being the most common in the United States. Grades range from prime (the highest quality) to choice, select, and lower grades. Prime beef is the most expensive, but also the most flavorful and tender.
– Marbling: Marbling refers to the amount of fat that is evenly distributed throughout the meat. More marbling generally means more flavor and tenderness, but also more calories and fat. Look for steaks with good marbling, but not excessive amounts of fat.
– Thickness: Steaks that are too thin may cook too quickly and become tough, while steaks that are too thick may not cook evenly. Aim for steaks that are about 1 to 1.5 inches thick.
What Cuts of Steak Does Herd and Grace Sell?
At the time of their launch, Herd and Grace has the following cuts in their shop:
- Asada
- Cowboy Steak
- Filet Mignon
- New York Steak
- Outside Skirt Steak
- Picanha
- Porterhouse
- Ribeye
- Rump Steak
- T-Bone
- Tomahawk
- Tri-Tip
I’ve been able to try the Cowboy, the Filet, the New York, the Ribeye, the Rump, and the Tri-tip, and so far I’m loving the New York the best, then the Ribeye, the filet, and the Rump steak, in that order. Your preferences may vary.
Currently, Herd and Grace is selling six curated boxes, each containing between 5-9 steaks, different combinations of the cuts listed above. Choose from these or of course you can customize your own box as well.
- The Grill Box
- The Favorites Box
- The Ultimate Wagyu Box
- The BBQ Box
- The Grass-Fed Box
- The Barley Beef Box
Check out the current price of the box you want from Herd and Grace!
Why Should I buy Steaks from Herd and Grace?
– Reputation: Herd and Grace has a history of providing high-quality steaks to restaurants, and now they’re giving us the option to get them at home. Although they’re new to this market, it’s not their first time selling steaks. They’ve got a track record with well-known chefs.
– Packaging: The steaks from Herd and Grace are packaged securely and sustainably, and with proper insulation to maintain their freshness during transit. Each box comes with cooking and handling instructions, and information about the types of steaks you’ve purchased.
– Cut and grade: Check out the variety of cuts they offer; they provide detailed information on each type of steak.
– Price: I’ve compared prices for you so you can get a sense of the value.
– Customer service: If anything comes up with your order, or you have any questions before you shop, reach out to their customer service. They should be available to answer any questions you have and provide assistance with your order.
– Shipping: Herd and Grace ships out 2-Day delivery, using insulated packaging, dry ice, and ice packs, to keep the frozen steaks frozen in transit. Storage and thawing instructions are included.
Overall, buying steaks from a mail order company like Herd and Grace can be a convenient and tasty option, and you’ll feel good about choosing a reputable company that provides high-quality products and good customer service.
How to Cook a Steak
The people who run Herd and Grace are really passionate about the steaks they import, so they want you to have a great experience when you cook and eat them at home. They have recipes and instructions on their website, but the most important things they taught me were:
- cook the steak in a super hot pan
- never cook it past medium rare
- get a meat thermometer
- and no matter how you cook it, let it rest before you serve it!
In fact, they went further: When you think you’ve let the steak rest long enough, let it rest 5 more minutes!
This is for sure the most difficult part for me – the waiting. I’m so used to serving (and eating) my food right when it comes off the stove or out of the oven. I’ve been conditioned to want to eat when it’s done and I’m not super patient with wait times. But I’ve been giving it a try, and I invite you to do that, too.
Here are the steps we’ve started using to cook our Herd and Grace steaks:
- Bring the steak to room temperature, pat dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a cast iron pan on the stove, adding a bit of oil (use whatever kind you like to use, preferably one that won’t burn at high heat).
- Turn the heat up high and let the pan get very, very hot
- Add the steaks to the pan, without crowding, and turn the heat down to medium high.
- Sear each steak on one side before turning and searing on the other side.
- Using a meat thermometer, check the center of the steaks for doneness.
- When they reach the desired internal temperature, take them off the heat and let them rest for 10-15 minutes, or as long as you can stand it. You may choose to cover them with foil or a pan lid while they rest so they don’t get cold.
- Dig in and enjoy!
We’re Enjoying our Herd and Grace Steaks
I’m grateful I got a chance to sample the new steak delivery from Herd and Grace as they launched the company, and I am really enjoying the food. I hope you’ll give them a try, using my affiliate link. And if you do, please leave a comment and let me know what you think.
Sarah Auerswald is the co-Founder and Managing Editor of MomsLA.com.
