How much fiber is in 80/20 ground beef?

November 12, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, raw 80/20 ground beef contains precisely zero grams of dietary fiber. While this is a definitive answer, it often surprises those unfamiliar with the fundamental nutritional difference between animal and plant products. This article explores why 80/20 ground beef has no fiber and outlines healthy ways to incorporate this versatile protein source into a balanced, fiber-rich diet.

Quick Summary

This article explains why 80/20 ground beef, and all meat, is entirely devoid of dietary fiber. It details the botanical nature of fiber and provides strategies for building balanced meals that pair ground beef with high-fiber plant-based ingredients for better digestion and overall health.

Key Points

Zero Fiber Content: 80/20 ground beef, like all meat, contains absolutely no dietary fiber.
Plant-Based Origin: Fiber is a type of carbohydrate exclusively found in plant foods, which are absent in ground beef.
Pair for Balance: To ensure a fiber-rich diet, combine ground beef with plant-based ingredients like beans, vegetables, and whole grains.
Nutrient Source: While lacking fiber, ground beef is a valuable source of protein, iron, and B vitamins.
Digestive Health: The absence of fiber means ground beef does not contribute to digestive regularity, emphasizing the need for supplementary plant-based foods.

Why Meat Contains No Dietary Fiber

Dietary fiber is a component found exclusively in plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. It is a type of carbohydrate that the human body cannot digest, and instead of being broken down for energy, it passes through the digestive system relatively intact. Fiber serves crucial functions like promoting regular bowel movements, feeding beneficial gut bacteria, and helping regulate blood sugar levels.

Since ground beef comes entirely from an animal source, it does not contain any of the plant matter necessary for fiber. Regardless of the lean-to-fat ratio, such as 80/20 or even a leaner cut like 90/10, the fiber content remains zero. Meat is primarily composed of protein and fat, with a small amount of water, and does not contain the cell walls or other indigestible plant parts that constitute fiber.

Building a Balanced Meal with Ground Beef

While ground beef itself lacks fiber, it's an excellent source of high-quality protein, iron, and vitamin B12. The key to a nutritionally complete meal is pairing it with fiber-rich ingredients. By combining ground beef with a variety of plant-based foods, you can create a satisfying meal that provides a full spectrum of nutrients.

High-Fiber Additions for Ground Beef Dishes

For Tacos or Burrito Bowls: Use a base of brown rice or quinoa instead of white rice. Top with beans (black beans or pinto beans are great), lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and avocado. The beans and grains provide soluble and insoluble fiber, while the vegetables offer additional vitamins and minerals.
For Meatloaf: Add finely chopped carrots, celery, and onions to the ground beef mixture. Consider adding a binder like oat bran or whole-wheat breadcrumbs instead of refined white breadcrumbs to boost the fiber content significantly. Serve with a side of steamed broccoli or roasted sweet potatoes.
For Chili: Incorporate a variety of legumes, such as kidney beans, black beans, and lentils. Bulk up the vegetable content with diced bell peppers, corn, and canned tomatoes with their skins intact. The result is a hearty, fiber-packed meal that is both delicious and nutritious.

Comparison of Ground Beef to High-Fiber Alternatives

To illustrate the nutritional gap, consider how ground beef compares to common fiber sources. This table highlights the stark contrast in fiber content, even when comparing similar serving sizes.


Food Item (per 100g, cooked)	Fiber Content (approx. grams)	Primary Nutrients	Best Paired With
80/20 Ground Beef	0	Protein, B Vitamins, Iron, Fat	Beans, Vegetables, Whole Grains
Black Beans	7.5	Fiber, Protein, Folate, Iron	Ground Beef, Salads, Rice Bowls
Cooked Quinoa	2.8	Fiber, Protein, Magnesium, Phosphorus	Ground Beef, Vegetables
Steamed Broccoli	2.6	Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Potassium	Ground Beef, Whole Grains
Lentils	7.9	Fiber, Protein, Iron, Folate	Ground Beef, Soups, Salads

Understanding Different Types of Fiber

Dietary fiber is not a single entity; it consists of two main types, both important for health.

Soluble fiber: This type dissolves in water and forms a gel-like substance in the gut. It can help lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Sources include oats, barley, nuts, seeds, and many fruits and vegetables.
Insoluble fiber: This type does not dissolve in water. It adds bulk to your stool and helps food pass more quickly through your digestive system, which aids in preventing constipation. Good sources include whole-wheat flour, wheat bran, and the skins of many fruits and vegetables.

While ground beef lacks both types of fiber, combining it with a variety of plant-based foods ensures you receive a mix of both soluble and insoluble fiber, maximizing the health benefits of your meal. The absence of fiber in meat is a natural consequence of its animal origin, so building meals with a variety of ingredients is the best strategy for a balanced diet.

Conclusion: The Final Word on Fiber and Ground Beef

In conclusion, the question of how much fiber is in 80/20 ground beef has a simple and definitive answer: zero. As an animal product, it does not contain the plant-based components that make up dietary fiber. This fact should not deter you from enjoying ground beef, but it does highlight the importance of conscious meal planning. By pairing ground beef with ample portions of vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, you can create delicious and well-rounded meals that provide both the robust protein from the meat and the essential fiber from plant sources. A balanced plate is a healthy plate, and with a little creativity, ground beef can be part of a fiber-rich dietary regimen.

Visit the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service for further nutritional information on meat and poultry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, ground beef, regardless of its fat percentage, contains zero dietary fiber, as fiber is a plant-based nutrient.

No, ground beef is not inherently bad for your health. It is an excellent source of protein and other essential nutrients. However, a diet exclusively of meat and other animal products may be lacking in dietary fiber, so it's important to balance your meals with plant-based foods.

The main difference is that meat provides protein, fat, and certain vitamins and minerals but no fiber, while plants provide carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Fiber is defined as an indigestible component of plants.

Yes, you can increase the fiber content of a dish made with ground beef by adding fiber-rich ingredients like onions, peppers, mushrooms, beans, or whole grains. The fiber comes from the plants you add, not the meat itself.

No, leaner cuts of ground beef, such as 90/10, also have zero dietary fiber. The lean-to-fat ratio only affects the fat and calorie content, not the fiber.

Excellent high-fiber pairings include kidney beans, black beans, lentils, whole-grain buns, brown rice, quinoa, and a variety of vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and leafy greens.

Fiber is important for promoting healthy digestion, preventing constipation, and supporting a balanced gut microbiome. It can also help regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels.