96% lean ground round

96% lean ground round is finely minced beef derived from the round primal cut, a lean muscle group from the hindquarters of the carcass. The "96% lean" designation indicates that the ground product contains no more than 4% fat by weight, making it one of the leanest commercially available ground beef options. Ground round is produced by passing beef trimmed from the round subprimal cuts—including the eye of round, bottom round, and top round—through a grinder. The resulting texture is granular and uniform, with minimal marbling and a finer grain than whole muscle cuts. This product has a mild, clean beef flavor with minimal richness due to its low fat content.

96% lean ground round is used primarily in health-conscious cooking and applications where fat reduction is desired without substituting poultry or plant-based alternatives. It performs well in lean burgers, meatballs, meat sauces (ragù), and chili, though its low fat content requires careful technique to prevent drying during cooking—often benefiting from the addition of moisture or binding agents. It is well-suited to seasoned preparations where spices and other ingredients compensate for the lean profile. Common applications include ground beef tacos, bolognese sauce, and lean meatloaf, as well as in commercial foodservice where standardized nutrition labeling is required.