July 24, 2025
Category: Recipes & Tips
Taco night at Brookhaven Farms isn’t just dinner—it’s a family fiesta! There’s something magical about gathering around the table, hands diving into bowls of toppings, and the sizzle of our grass-fed ground beef filling the air. Raised on Virginia pastures with care and purpose, this beef brings flavor, nutrition, and a feel-good story to every bite. Today, we’re sharing a fun, easy taco recipe that’s perfect for busy summer nights, plus diving into why our beef makes it special—from pasture to plate. Ready to turn dinner into a celebration? Let’s taco ‘bout it!
Why Grass-Fed Ground Beef Rocks Taco Night
Our grass-fed ground beef isn’t your average supermarket stuff—it’s a nutrient-packed powerhouse that elevates any meal, especially tacos. Raised 100% on pasture, our South Poll cattle graze on a diverse mix of grasses, Clover, and wild herbs, delivering meat that’s:
- Protein Packed: A 4-ounce serving offers 22-25 grams of complete protein, with all nine essential amino acids—perfect for growing kids and active adults, per USDA data. It’s highly bioavailable, meaning your body uses it efficiently for muscle repair and energy.
- Healthy Fats: Grass-fed beef has 2-3 times more omega-3 fatty acids (50-100 mg per serving) than grain-fed, thanks to its pasture diet, per American Grassfed Association studies. It’s also rich in CLA (400-600 mg), a fat linked to reduced inflammation and better metabolism, per the Journal of Nutrition—great for health-conscious families.
- Micronutrient Magic: Loaded with vitamin B12 (2.5-3 mcg, 100% DV) for energy, zinc (5-6 mg, 45-55% DV) for immunity, and iron (2-3 mg, 15-20% DV) in heme form (absorbed 2-3x better than plant iron, per NIH), it’s a nutritional win. Add in vitamin E (0.5-1 mg) from grass, and you’ve got a taco filling that fuels.
- Clean and Wholesome: No hormones, antibiotics, or GMOs—unlike 15-20% of conventional beef with residues, per Food Safety studies. It’s pure, safe meat for your crew, reflecting our regen promise.
- Flavor That Pops: The pasture diet gives our beef a rich, earthy taste—less greasy, more robust than grain-fed—making every taco a flavor bomb kids and adults crave.
This beef isn’t just food—it’s a story of soil health, animal care, and sustainability, straight from our farm to your family.
Pasture to Plate: Raising Beef Right
The magic of our ground beef starts in the pasture, where our South Poll cattle roam free—part of a regenerative system planned weeks ahead:
- Grass-Only Diet: No grain here—just pasture, rotated daily to keep grass lush (6-8 inches at grazing, 30-40 day rest). This mimics wild herds, boosting omega-3s and CLA while keeping fat lean (5-7g vs. 10-12g in grain-fed, per USDA).
- Soil Synergy: Cattle graze, trample, and manure—building soil organic matter (1-2% gain over five years, our tests show). Pigs and hens follow, rooting and fertilizing, feeding the soil food web that grows nutrient-rich grass—20-40% more vitamins/minerals than conventional forage, per Ecological Society data.
- Natural Growth: Our cattle finish in 24-30 months—slower than feedlot’s 16—prioritizing quality. No drugs needed—pasture keeps them healthy, per Virginia Tech Extension.
This isn’t factory beef—it’s regen-raised, delivering flavor and nutrition families love.
Cooking Grass-Fed Beef: Taco Tips
Grass-fed beef cooks differently—its leanness (less fat) means faster cooking and richer flavor. Here’s the science and tips:
- Fat Content: With 5-7g fat per 4 oz (vs. 10-12g grain-fed), it browns quicker—6-8 minutes on medium vs. 10-12. Overcooking dries it out—aim for 160°F internally for ground beef safety, per USDA.
- Flavor Boost: Less fat means spices shine—don’t skimp! Pasture-fed flavor pairs with bold seasonings like cumin and chili, no heavy grease to mask it.
- Moisture Trick: Add a splash of broth or water (2-3 tbsp) during cooking to keep it juicy—grass-fed’s lean nature loves a little help.
These hacks make taco night fast, fun, and delicious—let’s get to the recipe!
Recipe: Family Taco Night with Ground Beef
This recipe’s a crowd-pleaser—quick, customizable, and packed with farm-fresh goodness.
Brookhaven Beef Tacos (Serves 4-6)
- Ingredients:
- 1 lb Brookhaven Farms grass-fed ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2-3 tbsp water or beef broth
- 12 taco shells or tortillas (hard or soft)
- Toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheddar, sour cream, salsa, avocado, cilantro
- Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium. Add onion, sauté 2-3 minutes until soft.
- Stir in garlic, cook 30 seconds until fragrant—don’t burn it!
- Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook 6-8 minutes until browned (160°F internal)—grass-fed cooks fast.
- Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper—stir well. Add water or broth, simmer 2-3 minutes until spices meld and beef’s juicy, not dry.
- Warm shells or tortillas (oven at 350°F for 5 mins or skillet 30 seconds per side).
- Spoon beef into shells, let everyone pile on toppings—make it a family affair!
- Why It Works: 25g protein, 3 mg iron, 75 mg omega-3s per serving—tasty fuel kids devour. Spices amplify the beef’s earthy richness—fun, fast, and fresh.
- Extras: Pair with pasture-raised pork bacon crumbles or a side of golden-yolked eggs scrambled—taco versatility!
Want to whip this up? Grab ground beef from our shop now!
Taco Night Benefits: Family, Health, Earth
This isn’t just dinner—it’s a win all around:
- Family Fun: Kids love customizing—picky eaters dig in when they’re in charge. It’s quick (20 minutes) for busy nights, bonding over messy hands and laughter.
- Health Boost: Protein (25g), B12 (2.5 mcg), zinc (5 mg)—fuel for growth and energy, per NIH. Omega-3s (75 mg) and CLA (400 mg) support heart and metabolism—perfect for active families, per AHA.
- Eco Impact: Every taco supports regen farming—soil organic matter up 1-2%, carbon sequestered (0.5-3 tons/acre yearly), biodiversity thriving, per Savory data. No chemical residues—clean eating, sustainable living.
From Pasture to Fiesta
Our grass-fed ground beef turns taco night into a celebration—flavor from the pasture, nutrition from the soil, love from the farm. Stock up at shop.brookhavenfarms.net—grab ground beef, pork, or eggs. More recipes and farm tales? Join our newsletter.
At Brookhaven Farms, tacos aren’t just food—they’re family.