Beef, ground, 75% lean meat / 25% fat, raw

Raw 75/25 ground beef is the higher-fat grind favored for burgers and meatloaf, since the fat bastes the meat as it cooks and keeps patties juicy on the grill or in a skillet. It is also a common choice for meatballs and chili, where the extra fat renders out during browning and can be drained off if a leaner result is wanted. This grind always needs to be cooked to a safe internal temperature before eating; it is not intended to be eaten raw, and it should be kept refrigerated and used or frozen promptly after purchase.

Raw, it has 293 calories per 100 g, with 32% of the Daily Value for protein and 10% for iron per 100 g, plus 25 g of fat, reflecting the 25% fat content in the name, with no carbohydrate or fiber to speak of. Sodium is naturally low at 66 mg per 100 g since it is unseasoned raw meat, which means the salt level of the finished dish is entirely up to how it is seasoned during cooking. This makes it a straightforward base to build a protein-forward meal around, with the fat content doing the work of flavor and moisture rather than added butter or oil.