How to make lean ground beef at home and what to buy

2026-11-07 · 5 min read · Get Lean Today

The gap between fatty and lean mince is up to 130 kcal per 100 g. On a 150 g patty that's almost 200 kcal.

Original: 80/20 ground beef, 100 g raw — 254 kcal

1. 1. Beef tenderloin

   150 kcal · Protein 21 · Fat 7 · Carbs 0 · you save 104

   Leanest and most tender cut, but pricey.

2. 2. Eye of round / top round

   135 kcal · Protein 23 · Fat 4 · Carbs 0 · you save 119

   Best price-to-leanness ratio for mince.

3. 3. Sirloin

   160 kcal · Protein 21 · Fat 8 · Carbs 0 · you save 94

   Flavourful, about 8% fat — great for burgers.

4. 4. Trimmed chuck/shoulder

   180 kcal · Protein 20 · Fat 11 · Carbs 0 · you save 74

   Trim sinew and fat before grinding — you'll land near 10%.

5. 5. Store-bought 95/5 mince

   137 kcal · Protein 21 · Fat 5 · Carbs 0 · you save 117

   The leanest ready-made option; add onion or zucchini to patties.

6. 6. Store-bought 90/10 mince

   176 kcal · Protein 20 · Fat 10 · Carbs 0 · you save 78

   The sweet spot for burgers and bolognese.

7. 7. Turkey breast mince

   120 kcal · Protein 24 · Fat 2 · Carbs 0 · you save 134

   Make sure it's breast meat, not with skin.

8. 8. Chicken breast mince

   115 kcal · Protein 23 · Fat 2 · Carbs 0 · you save 139

   Grind breasts yourself — store-bought often includes skin.

9. 9. Beef + mushrooms 50/50

   95 kcal · Protein 12 · Fat 4 · Carbs 2 · you save 159

   Finely chop mushrooms, dry-fry, mix into the beef.

10. 10. Beef + lentils 70/30

    150 kcal · Protein 18 · Fat 5 · Carbs 8 · you save 104

    Cooked lentils add fibre and volume.

Approximate macros per serving

Tip

• Look for “90/10” or “10% fat”. Plain “ground beef” is often 20–25%.
• Cook on a rack or drain the rendered fat — another 20–40 kcal saved.
• For juiciness: grated onion, zucchini or 1 tbsp water per 100 g.

FAQ

Which beef cut is leanest for mince?

Eye of round / top round and tenderloin — 4–7% fat.

How does 90/10 compare to 80/20?

About 80 kcal less per 100 g raw and half the fat.

Should I drain the fat after cooking?

Yes — with 80/20 it noticeably lowers the calories of the finished dish.