Does ground beef that is advertised 80% lean and 20% fat actually have 20% fat?
ANSWER – Based on weight, the answer is yes. Based on composition, the answer is no. A 100-gram sample of 80% lean ground beef actually has 20 grams of fat, approximately 20 grams of protein and 60 grams of moisture. When we compare 20 grams of fat to 20 grams of protein, we see that the ratio of fat to protein is actually 50% 50% or 1 to 1. That is why it is important to read labels and look at the ratio of fat to protein on any package of food. If we look at Maverick Ranch ground round, our beef has 24 grams of protein to 3.5 grams of fat. That is a protein to fat ratio of 7 to 1.
