SRF BLOG

What is sustainability? How does Snake River Farms work to be a more sustainable company?Many companies use the term “sustainability” as a marketing buzzword, but at Snake River Farms we go beyond words to take real steps to lower our carbon footprint.

The Meaning of Meat Terms  Glance at your local meat counter or scroll through the websites of beef companies and you’ll see many terms to describe their steaks and roasts. It’s not always obvious if the attributes are positive or negative. Or do they mean anything at all?  Take a closer look at the definition of common meat terminology to find, and purchase, the best products for you. Natural Beef If steak is natural, it must be good. Right? After all, who wants unnatural beef? “Natural” describes most beef sold. Any fresh or frozen beef is natural, if it is minimally processed, and no artificial ingredients or colors are added. It is a good characteristic but almost all beef sold falls into this category.   Minimally Processed The definition of minimally processed is: “nothing artificial or synthetic (including all color additives regardless of source) has been included in, or has been added to, a food that would not normally be expected to be in that food.” Any whole muscle cut steak or roast is minimally processed so this is important but not a major point of difference.     Never-Ever Program The Never Ever program is a voluntary USDA standard to indicate livestock has never received antibiotics or added hormones at any time.     USDA Certified Organic Beef Certified organic beef, like organic produce, follows very specific guidelines set in place by the National Organic Program. Cattle must be raised on certified organic land that meets organic crop production standards. They must be fed 100% certified organic, GMO-free feed with no added growth hormones, antibiotics or animal by-products.     Grass Fed Like the name implies, grass fed cattle consume grass and forage throughout their entire lifetime, except for the milk they drink before weaned. The USDA allows grass and forage in the diet, defined as “grass, forbs (e.g., legumes, Brassica), browse, or cereal grain crops in the vegetative (pre-grain) state”. The guidelines also prescribe continuous access to pasture during the growing season. While one might envision animals grazing on green grass like a golf course fairway, grass and forage covers a much wider definition. Grass pellets and sileage can be fed to cattle during the winter or dry season.    Grass Fed, Grain Finished All cattle feed on grass during their first 8 to 12 months. Grain-finished cattle, like grass-finished cattle, spend the majority of their lives eating grass and forage in pastures. When beef is grain-finished, cattle in the post-grazing phase eat a diet of grain and local feed ingredients. At Snake River Farms, these local rations include a balanced diet of potato, grains, sugar beets, vitamins, and alfalfa hay.     Humanely Raised The beef industry strives to raise cattle in a humane manner; however, this term has no official definition. Check with your individual beef suppliers to learn their specific plans. Snake River Farms has established a powerful commitment to animal well-being that recognizes livestock as the foundation of our livelihood. We have a documented program for all employees and processes to treat our animals with dignity and respect throughout their lifecycle based on the best practices from the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program.     Antibiotic Usage Throughout the beef industry, antibiotics may be administered to prevent or treat disease in cattle. A withdrawal period is required from the time antibiotics are used until the time of harvest, so any trace amounts have time to pass completely through the animal’s system. This amount of time varies by the specific antibiotic used. The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the USDA randomly samples cattle to test for antibiotic residue. The published FSIS Monitoring Plan data shows a very low percentage of residue violations.  Snake River Farms does not use antibiotics as a preventative measure. If an animal gets sick, antibiotics are administered as part of our humane treatment program. The withdrawal period for the specific antibiotic is observed, which can take up to 45 days .     Conclusion Terminology and labels utilized by the USDA and meat companies help guide your purchases at the grocery store, meat market and online. The terms tell a big part of the story, but sometimes don’t provide the full picture. There are many factors to consider including cattle breed, grade and cut, as well as ethical and environmental considerations. Finding a producer of high-quality beef and talking directly to them is the best way to find the perfect match for your personal preferences. At Snake River Farms, we prioritize the health and well-being of our animals and work at transparency. We welcome questions through email, chat or phone call.   

Snake River Farms is the Pioneer of American Wagyu beef. We're a family owned and operated company that's been in business for 55 years. Learn about our history, our integrated approach to beef production and how we work every day to achieve the goal of our founder, Robert Rebholtz Sr. “We want our customers to want to do business with us.”

Do you have someone on your holiday shopping list who is passionate about grilling up a great steak? Chances are you have no idea what to give them because, well, they already have a grill! However, there’s something every grill master always wants more of – a great cut of meat! 

5 Perfect Gifts for Steak Lovers  Do you have a steak aficionado in your life? You know who we're talking about - the person who knows the difference between a high-quality, perfectly prepared steak compared to an average cut that's been overcooked and likely overpriced? Steak lovers not only appreciate a great cut of beef, but also the entire experience, from picking out the steak to expertly cooking it, and finally experiencing the mouthwatering flavor explosion of the perfect bite. Keep reading and discover our five favorite gifts for steak lovers.   Wagyu Steak Lovers Gift Box - Here’s the ultimate gift for the most passionate beef lover on your holiday list - the Wagyu Steak Lovers Gift Box. It features an exceptional selection of our finest cuts, including an American Wagyu SRF Black® top sirloin and filet mignon. USDA Choice ribeye and USDA Prime cowboy steaks round out this exquisite collection of premier Snake River Farms steaks.   American Wagyu Gold Grade Filet Mignon 4 oz. - 2 pack - This hand-cut, hand-trimmed petite filet mignon carries our SRF Gold® designation and boasts the highest level of marbling Snake River Farms offers. Your taste buds are treated to the mild, buttery flavor of the ultimate filet mignon. Make our SRF Gold® filet mignon the star of the show and build around it with favorite sides for an unforgettable meal.    American Wagyu Gold Grade Bone-In New York Strip - Our SRF Gold® New York strip is deeply marbled and has the bone attached to the steak, ensuring delectable flavor and a firm, yet tender texture. Each NY strip is hand-cut from SRF Gold® American Wagyu beef, with intense, beefy flavor. This is the perfect gift for those who order the New  York strip at their favorite steakhouse. If you really want to impress them, try our recipe for Pan-Seared NY Strip with Red Wine Pan Sauce.   American Wagyu Black Grade Tomahawk Ribeye - The tomahawk steak makes a bold statement with its bone-in appearance giving off distinct caveman vibes. The steak lover in your life will love it! Our American Wagyu tomahawk ribeye features a high level of marbling and includes the ribeye cap, considered the absolute best bite of steak. Bring out all the rich, beefy flavors by using a reverse sear on this impressive cut and make it the centerpiece of the ultimate steak feast.  American Wagyu Gold Grade Top Sirloin - Perhaps not as show stopping as other exotic cuts, our SRF Gold® top sirloin should not be underestimated. This humble cut boasts a moderate amount of intramuscular fat for a richly flavored steak that exceeds expectations. Each is hand-selected and hand-trimmed in one of three sizes—6 oz, 8 oz, and 10 oz. Our Beef Teriyaki Skewer Salad recipe is hard to resist when you combine this sirloin with the delightful flavor combination of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.    Holiday Gifts for Those Who Love Steak Discover the difference that is American Wagyu beef, distinctive for its rich marbling that produces an extremely flavorful and tender cut of steak. Impress your loved one with an American Wagyu steak, and don’t forget to browse the rest of our gift suggestions from our holiday gift center.     

Learn what the term 'deckle' means when it comes to beef, and what to look for when shopping for your next wagyu brisket deckle.

What to buy for those who love to smoke meat but seem to have everything? You can’t go wrong with Wagyu Beef or Kurobuta Pork.

Once you have a Snake River Farms roast or ham in your freezer, it’s important to thaw it properly. Keep in mind the best way is to thaw slowly in your refrigerator to optimize the finished quality and to maintain a high level of food safety. 

Here are three surefire methods: boiling, grilling and using the broiler in your oven. We also include tips on the best way to thaw your lobster tails. 

Brisket for Thanksgiving - Why Not?  Grown tired of eating the same menu year after year? Not the biggest fan of turkey? A brisket for Thanksgiving is the perfect solution. Snake River Farms briskets easily feed a large crowd and come in various sizes to satisfy the appetites at your family gathering. An American Wagyu brisket for Thanksgiving will win over you and your guests. You’ll never go back to the traditional turkey dinner after you’ve tasted the rich beef flavor and tender texture of a Wagyu brisket. Brisket pairs perfectly with a large variety of side dishes so you will be able to please the everyone’s personal preferences.   Turkey vs. Brisket for Thanksgiving Dinner Turkey for Thanksgiving is a time-honored tradition. There are few U.S. holidays as closely tied to a specific food or main course. Cookbooks, TV shows and the Internet are packed with information about how to cook a turkey, yet nowhere is it written that you must serve turkey on Thanksgiving. A brisket for Thanksgiving feeds a large crowd, provides a new holiday experience, and leaves a lasting impression on your guests and their taste buds. A smoker is the most popular method to cook a brisket. Take a chance, mix things up for this Thanksgiving and go with a brisket, You and your family will not be disappointed!     Our Favorite Brisket Recipes for the Holidays There are many ways to prepare a brisket and each brisket fanatic has a favorite method. The truth is, there is no single best recipe or method. There are many cooking options that will impress your guests. Here are some of our favorite brisket recipes for the holidays.    Oven Braised Brisket - Braising a brisket in the oven is an excellent option for just about anyone. The method is simple and yields a flavorful result without any complicated preparation. It will take about 9 hours in total. > Learn More. Smoked Holiday Brisket - Smoking a brisket is the most traditional cooking method and for good reason. It slowly cooks and tenderizes this tough cut and imparts a classic smoky flavor. Your guests will love this holiday meal and reminisce about it for Thanksgivings to come. > Learn More. Brisket Burnt Ends - Brisket burnt ends are one of the best and most popular BBQ dishes. Making burnt ends is simple, but the result is a sweet and smoky flavor packed into a tender bit. If you haven’t had the chance to experience them, you are missing out. They are a perfect addition to your holiday menu. > Learn More. Brisket Thanksgiving Leftovers Leftover brisket from Thanksgiving is versatile and delicious. You can cube the leftovers and make brisket tacos. Which is always a crowd favorite. Another classic leftover dish is brisket sandwiches. We like using a hoagie roll, but you can use your personal favorite for the bread. Just heat up your leftover brisket (we recommend using the oven) and craft the sandwich with your favorite toppings.     American Wagyu Beef Brisket Delivered for the Holidays It’s convenient to order a Snake River Farms American Wagyu Beef Brisket, we deliver fresh frozen briskets right to your door for the holidays. We always recommend ordering early so that the brisket can be delivered and then stored in the safety of your freezer. They can be stored in the freezer for up to six months, so you can order weeks in advance, check it off your shopping list, and relieve some of your holiday stress. Are you a visual learner? See our video "Start to Finish Brisket Burnt Ends from a World Champion BBQ Pitmaster".     

The holidays are a wonderful time of the year. Spending time with family and loved ones is something we look forward to, but it can also be stressful. Preparing a holiday dinner for you and your guests is part of the season, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Snake River Farms is here to help from start to finish. Let’s get started!