What Does 73 27 Ground Beef Mean for Your Cooking?

November 27, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know that ground beef percentages refer to the lean meat to fat ratio by weight, not calories? Understanding this is key to deciphering what 73 27 ground beef means and how it can elevate your favorite dishes. This particular ratio signifies a rich, flavorful, and incredibly juicy meat option, but its high-fat content also requires a specific approach when cooking.

Quick Summary

The label 73 27 on ground beef indicates a ratio of 73% lean meat to 27% fat by weight. This blend is known for its maximum juiciness, flavor, and moisture retention, making it ideal for dishes like rich burgers, chili, and meatballs.

Key Points

High Fat Content: 73/27 ground beef contains 27% fat by weight, making it one of the richest and most flavorful blends available.
Flavor and Juiciness: The high fat content ensures maximum moisture retention during cooking, resulting in a juicy and tender final product.
Ideal for Burgers and Chili: The rich flavor makes 73/27 a top choice for burgers, meatloaf, and chili, where the rendered fat adds to the overall taste.
Requires Draining: For recipes like tacos or sauces, you will likely need to drain excess fat after browning to prevent the dish from becoming greasy.
Cost-Effective Option: As a fattier blend, 73/27 is generally more affordable than leaner ground beef cuts, offering great flavor for a lower price.
Cooking Technique Matters: Using high heat for searing and gently handling the meat are crucial techniques to get the best results from 73/27 ground beef.

Decoding the 73/27 Ground Beef Ratio

When you see the numbers 73/27 on a package of ground beef, they are a straightforward indicator of its lean-to-fat composition by weight. The first number, 73, represents the percentage of lean meat, while the second number, 27, represents the percentage of fat. This makes 73/27 one of the fattiest and most flavorful blends of ground beef available on the market. In contrast, leaner options like 80/20 or 90/10 contain significantly less fat, which impacts the final texture and taste of your meal.

The Role of Fat in Ground Beef

For many cooks, fat is synonymous with flavor, and 73/27 ground beef is the perfect example of this. During cooking, the fat renders, basting the meat and preventing it from drying out. This process results in a more tender, moist, and beefy-tasting finished product. While the high fat content does mean that more grease will pool in the pan, this can be easily managed by draining or used to add richness to sauces.

Where to Find 73/27 Ground Beef

As the fattiest common blend, 73/27 ground beef is widely available in grocery stores and butcher shops, often as an economy option or under a simple 'ground beef' label. It is particularly popular for burgers and other comfort food recipes where flavor is the top priority.

Why Choose 73/27 Ground Beef?

Choosing the right ground beef depends on your recipe goals and health considerations. While leaner cuts have their place, the 73/27 blend offers several distinct advantages:

Maximum Flavor: The rich, beefy taste is unparalleled due to the high-fat content. This makes it a great choice for dishes where the ground beef is the star.
Superior Moisture: The 27% fat ensures that your burgers, meatloaf, or meatballs stay moist and juicy, even when cooked well-done.
Cost-Effective: As the fattier option, 73/27 is typically more budget-friendly than leaner alternatives.
Ideal for Specific Dishes: It's the go-to for recipes where excess fat is either drained or contributes positively to the dish, such as chili or tacos.

However, it is important to acknowledge the trade-offs:

Higher Calorie Count: Per serving, 73/27 ground beef has a higher calorie count compared to leaner blends.
More Draining Required: For some dishes, especially pan-fried recipes, you will need to drain off a significant amount of rendered fat after cooking.
Grease Management: The high fat can lead to flare-ups on a grill and a greasier final result if not handled correctly.

Best Uses for 73/27 Ground Beef

Given its unique properties, 73/27 ground beef excels in specific culinary applications. Here are some of the most popular uses:

Smash Burgers: The high fat content is perfect for smash burgers, where the fat creates a crispy, flavorful crust and keeps the inside juicy.
Chili and Tacos: When browning ground beef for chili or taco meat, the excess fat can be drained off easily. This leaves behind tender, flavorful meat crumbles that enrich the final dish.
Meatloaf and Meatballs: The high-fat ratio adds moisture and richness to these formed meat dishes, preventing them from becoming dry or crumbly.
Rich Pasta Sauces: A hearty Bolognese or other meat sauce benefits from the deep flavor the fat provides. Some chefs even cook other ingredients in the rendered beef fat for an extra layer of taste.

Tips for Cooking with 73/27 Ground Beef

To get the best results from this rich cut, follow these cooking tips:

Drain the Fat: Unless the recipe specifically calls for the fat, it's wise to drain it after browning. This can be done by tilting the pan and scooping out the excess grease with a spoon or by transferring the cooked meat to a colander.
Use a Hot Surface for Burgers: When grilling or pan-frying burgers, use a screaming hot surface to achieve a good sear and crust. The high heat helps lock in moisture while the fat renders and crisps.
Don't Overwork the Meat: When forming patties or meatballs, handle the beef gently. Overworking the meat can result in a tough, dense texture.
Consider Combining Blends: For some applications, you can mix 73/27 with a leaner blend, like 93/7, to get a balance of flavor and lower fat.

Comparing Ground Beef Ratios


Feature	73/27 Ground Beef	80/20 Ground Beef	90/10 Ground Beef
Flavor Profile	Very rich, beefy, maximum flavor.	Balanced, good beef flavor.	Milder beef flavor.
Moisture	Very juicy and moist, little risk of drying out.	Retains good moisture, classic burger choice.	Drier, requires careful cooking to prevent toughness.
Fat Content	High (27% by weight), renders significant grease.	Moderate (20% by weight), renders noticeable grease.	Low (10% by weight), minimal grease.
Calories	Highest calorie option per gram.	Lower than 73/27, good all-purpose option.	Lowest calorie option per gram.
Ideal Uses	Burgers, meatloaf, chili, tacos (where fat is drained).	All-purpose, burgers, meatballs, casseroles.	Stuffed peppers, low-fat sauces, lighter dishes.

Conclusion

The label '73 27 ground beef' is simply a ratio indicating the percentage of lean meat to fat by weight. It is the fattiest common blend available, offering maximum flavor and juiciness that is ideal for comfort food recipes like burgers, chili, and meatloaf. While it contains more fat and calories than leaner cuts, it remains a popular and cost-effective choice for those prioritizing taste. By understanding what the numbers mean and learning the best cooking techniques, you can master this rich and flavorful ingredient in your kitchen.

For more information on different types of ground beef, consider visiting Beef - It's What's For Dinner for expert advice and cooking methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

The numbers indicate the lean-to-fat ratio by weight. 73/27 ground beef is 73% lean meat and 27% fat.

Yes, 73/27 is an excellent choice for burgers. The high-fat content keeps the patties moist and juicy, delivering a rich flavor, especially for smash burgers.

For many recipes like chili or tacos, draining the fat is recommended to avoid a greasy texture. For other dishes like meatloaf, the fat can add flavor and moisture.

73/27 is richer and fattier than 80/20, which has a more balanced flavor. 73/27 is juicier but also renders more fat during cooking compared to the moderate fat of 80/20.

73/27 has a higher fat and calorie content than leaner options. While it provides protein, those watching their fat intake may prefer a leaner blend like 90/10 or 93/7.

Yes, you can mix 73/27 with a leaner grind, such as 93/7, to achieve a more balanced flavor and moisture profile while reducing the overall fat content.

73/27 is ideal for flavorful dishes like chili, tacos, juicy hamburgers, classic meatloaf, and rich beef stroganoff.

If you don't drain the fat, the final dish will be richer, but potentially greasier. For soups and sauces, the rendered fat can be intentionally incorporated for flavor.