Chowing down on a quality burger is one thing, but going organic? That's another game entirely. From high-end chains to the usual suspects, these are the restaurants that don't serve organic beef.
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00:00Chowing down on a quality burger is one thing, but going organic?
00:05That's another game entirely.
00:06From high-end chains to the usual suspects, these are the restaurants that don't serve
00:11organic beef.
00:13To be labeled organic in the U.S., beef must meet the USDA's Organic Certification Standards
00:19for Sustainable and Humane Farming Practices.
00:22Specifically, organic beef must come from cattle that are raised without antibiotics
00:26or growth hormones.
00:28These animals are fed organic feed, which means their diet is free from synthetic pesticides
00:33and fertilizers.
00:34And they must have access to outdoor grazing to support their natural behaviors and promote
00:38their well-being.
00:39Given these tough requirements, it's no surprise that many popular burger chains don't go out
00:44of their way to put organic beef in their burgers.
00:47Using organic beef can be pretty expensive, which explains why most burger chains opt
00:52out.
00:53Essentially, they're going for price over quality.
00:55Still, many burger chains have crossed the line in terms of the quality of their beef.
01:00Since 2016, Consumer Reports and the Natural Resources Defense Council have teamed up to
01:06keep an eye on the quality of beef used by major fast food and fast-casual chains.
01:11They put together a report called Chain Reaction that grades these chains based on how they
01:16handle antibiotics in their beef supply.
01:19The 2021 report showed that a lot of well-known chains still aren't living up to quality beef
01:24standards of any kind, let alone being organic.
01:27So what can it tell us?
01:30Shake Shack prides itself on using high-quality ingredients, and its beef is no exception.
01:35The restaurant serves 100 percent all-natural Angus beef that's free from added hormones
01:40and antibiotics, a significant step towards more responsible sourcing.
01:45Its Special Shack Blend, freshly ground from this Angus beef, is a standout feature of
01:50the menu, making for a juicy and delicious burger every time.
01:53"...ground fresh every night and made with only the best beef."
01:57On top of that, Shake Shack serves its burgers on non-GMO potato buns, demonstrating the
02:02company's commitment to keeping things natural.
02:05However, while Shake Shack's beef is natural and free from certain additives, it does not
02:09meet USDA-certified organic standards.
02:13This means that despite avoiding growth hormones and antibiotics, the beef isn't certified
02:17organic.
02:18Beef may still come from cattle raised with conventional practices that simply don't align
02:23with organic guidelines, however.
02:25Nevertheless, while the chain's quality of beef is far from the worst, those seeking
02:29a burger that's USDA-certified organic should steer clear of Shake Shack.
02:35Red Robin is well-known for its gourmet burgers, which use all-natural, 100 percent USDA-inspected
02:41beef sourced from the U.S.
02:43You'll be happy to know that the beef is free of preservatives and artificial ingredients,
02:47a big plus for anyone committed to eating high-quality meat.
02:51This emphasis on natural ingredients no doubt helps make Red Robin's burgers as juicy and
02:56flavorful as they are, staying true to the company's reputation for excellence.
03:00That said, while the beef is all-natural and free from artificial additives, it's not certified
03:06organic.
03:07It doesn't use preservatives and artificial ingredients, but it still doesn't meet USDA
03:12organic standards.
03:13What does that mean exactly?
03:14The beef could potentially come from cattle raised on growth hormones and antibiotics,
03:19or it might be raised on feed that doesn't meet the strict criteria for organic meat.
03:24If USDA-certified organic beef is a must for you, Red Robin's burgers don't quite fit the
03:29bill, even though they do excel in flavor.
03:32People often joke about what's really in McDonald's beef, but the truth is, the company is pretty
03:38transparent about it.
03:39So this is what we call beef trim, and it comes from familiar cuts that you may know,
03:45like chuck and round and sirloin.
03:47All McDonald's burger patties served at the company's U.S. locations use 100 percent USDA-inspected
03:53beef.
03:54No other types of meat are involved, plus its burgers are free from fillers and preservatives,
03:59which is another step toward better quality.
04:02Despite all that, McDonald's beef isn't certified organic, which will come as a surprise to
04:07pretty much no one.
04:08Despite the quality checks and lack of artificial ingredients, the beef doesn't meet the standards
04:12for organic farming.
04:14Adding to the concerns, McDonald's got a C-grade in the Chain Reaction 2021 report.
04:20This grade tells us right off the bat that its beef is still frequently treated with
04:24antibiotics.
04:25Is this a deal-breaker for everyone?
04:27It doesn't seem like it, because in the end, who goes to McDonald's expecting health foods?
04:32The mouth-watering taste is what keeps customers coming back for more.
04:36If you're set on avoiding antibiotics and sticking with organic options, you should
04:40definitely consider going somewhere else.
04:43Burger King's beef patties are made from 100 percent beef.
04:47They are also completely free of additives, preservatives, and fillers.
04:50This is probably better than you might expect from a fast food company.
04:54But it's not the whole story.
04:55Burger King is proud to keep certain less desirable ingredients out of its menu items,
05:00but its beef is actually labeled as neither organic nor USDA-inspected.
05:05And it gets worse.
05:07Burger King scored an F on the 2021 Chain Reaction report, which goes to show there
05:12are some real issues with the company's beef supply.
05:15This low grade is essentially proof that the beef it uses in its burgers is still frequently
05:19treated with antibiotics, which is not good for the cow or the person eating the beef.
05:26Founded in 2007, Smashburger is still a relative newcomer on the fast food burger scene.
05:32The restaurant made a name for itself for its unique approach to making burgers, as
05:36well as its dedication to healthier ingredients.
05:39Smashburger sources its beef from family-owned farms in the U.S., which are known for their
05:43humane, climate-friendly, and sustainable practices.
05:47This has helped set the restaurant apart from others in the world of burgers.
05:50Meanwhile, using fresh beef rather than frozen patties helps deliver a delicious, crispy
05:55crust while keeping each burger as juicy and tasty as ever.
05:59This focus on great ingredients and better farming practices may be impressive, but it's
06:04worth noting that Smashburger beef still isn't certified organic.
06:08This just goes to show how tough it can be to earn the USDA organic label.
06:12Even without the organic certification, however, Smashburger remains a solid choice for those
06:17seeking a really tasty burger that isn't quite so bad for you.
06:21It's a testament to the fact that burger chains can do better by customers and remain profitable.
06:28In-N-Out is a beloved chain that has amassed a rather large cult following over the past
06:32few decades, and it's not all that hard to see why.
06:36It's the best.
06:38People can't get enough of the no-nonsense menu, the secret menu items, and, of course,
06:43the burgers themselves.
06:45Part of what makes the beef taste so good is In-N-Out's use of individually inspected,
06:50whole beef chuck taken from premium cattle.
06:53But is the beef in the burgers organic?
06:55Absolutely not.
06:56Like most burger chains out there, In-N-Out hasn't decided to invest in that level of
07:01quality.
07:02Still, diehard In-N-Out fans don't seem to care.
07:05For most people, the combination of quality ingredients, unbeatable taste, and a fun dining
07:10experience is more than worth the price.
07:14Wendy's has made some waves in the fast food universe with what it calls Progressive Beef.
07:19It's called Progressive because the beef is never frozen, and comes from farms that treat
07:23cattle humanely and use antibiotics responsibly, all while keeping an eye on environmental
07:28sustainability.
07:30This focus on better practices definitely shows a growing commitment to healthier menu
07:34options for its customers.
07:35But here's the thing.
07:37Even with these progressive steps, Wendy's beef isn't certified organic.
07:41In the 2021 Chain Reaction Report, Wendy's scored a C, which is not a great score by
07:46any means.
07:47However, this is at least an improvement from the previous year's D+.
07:52That's a sign that Wendy's is making some progress, even though there's still room to
07:56go further.
07:57The company has set a goal to use antibiotic-free beef, pork, and chicken by 2030.
08:02While it's not hitting the organic mark just yet, Wendy's commitment to improving its beef
08:06policy shows it's heading in the right direction.
08:10Since opening its doors in 1953, Sonic has been all about that classic drive-in experience.
08:17Think roller skating servers and a menu overflowing with indulgent treats.
08:22When it comes to the beef in its burgers, Sonic does use 100% pure beef patties.
08:27But what good is pure beef if the beef isn't all that good?
08:30In the case of Sonic, you won't find high-quality, certified organic beef, that's for sure.
08:36Sonic's beef is worse than you might imagine, though, as the company scored a dismal F rating
08:41on the 2021 Chain Reaction Report.
08:44This failing grade makes it clear that Sonic just isn't putting in the effort when it comes
08:48to quality or consumer health.
08:50So if you're hoping for an organic burger, or, you know, a burger that scores above a
08:54failing grade on serious quality reports, Sonic is not where you need to be.
09:00White Castle has been a staple in the fast food world since the 1920s.
09:05The chain is known in particular for those iconic square sliders, which have earned a
09:09special place in pop culture history.
09:11I want 30 sliders, 5 french fries, and 4 large cherry Cokes.
09:14I want the same, except make mine diet Cokes.
09:17In terms of quality, White Castle is far from the worst.
09:21It uses 100% USDA beef for its patties.
09:25So at least you know you're getting pure meat without any fillers.
09:28Yet pure beef does not mean organic, and that's a label White Castle cannot claim.
09:33But hey, it's probably not a huge shock that White Castle isn't serving up organic beef
09:37sliders.
09:38The brand is more about quick, cheap burgers than being the gold standard of health.
09:43If you're looking for that caliber of burger, you're going to have to find it at another
09:47restaurant.
09:49Founded in 1984 by Craig and Lee Culver, Culver's is a beloved Midwestern burger chain known
09:55for its signature Butter Burgers.
09:57The Butter Burger, featuring a fresh, never-frozen beef patty on a lightly buttered, toasted
10:02bun, is a standout menu item that keeps customers coming back.
10:06It seems that the small addition of butter goes a long way to help Culver's stand out
10:10in the crowd of fast food burgers.
10:13However, while Culver's takes pride in serving fresh, high-quality beef, it's worth noting
10:17that the beef in its burgers isn't organic.
10:20The burgers are made of 100% beef, however, which should still count for something, even
10:25if they don't meet the USDA's strict organic standards.
10:29Still, judging by the fact that Fodor's ranked Culver's as America's top fast food chain
10:34in 2024, it's clear that the chain's dedication to fresh, flavorful food and impeccable customer
10:40service is resonating with customers.
10:43A rapidly growing U.S. burger chain founded in 2011, BurgerFi uses only Grade A Angus
10:50beef in its burgers, setting itself apart from many of the other popular burger chains.
10:55The restaurant also employs what it calls the Never Ever program, in which the beef
10:59used is free-range, raised vegetarian, and treated humanely, with zero steroid, antibiotic,
11:06or growth hormone exposure.
11:08BurgerFi's suppliers raise cattle that roam free and are fed natural products or grass
11:13for the majority of their lives.
11:15That's a high-quality beef product right there.
11:17Despite all these high standards, BurgerFi's beef still doesn't come with a USDA-certified
11:23organic label.
11:24But honestly, with the quality and care that goes into its meat, this might be as close
11:28as it gets to organic for a fast, casual burger chain.
11:32It's nice to know that BurgerFi is serious about doing things right, setting a high bar
11:36for both flavor and ethical practices.
11:40A standout in the burger scene, Mooyah is known for its commitment to using 100% certified
11:46Angus beef.
11:47This beef isn't just any cut.
11:49It meets rigorous standards that surpass those for USDA Prime, Select, and Choice.
11:55For this reason, Mooyah confidently markets the beef in its burgers as being of a higher
11:59caliber than most steaks.
12:01Those are some big shoes for burgers to fill, and this kind of dedication to quality in
12:06the vast landscape of burger chains certainly isn't common.
12:09Yet even with this impressive standard, the beef Mooyah uses in its burgers isn't organic,
12:15meaning those grade-A Angus cows might still be treated with hormones and antibiotics.
12:19But should you let that steer you away?
12:22Probably not.
12:23After all, while Mooyah's beef might not come with an organic label, it's easily a cut above
12:28most of the other burger chains out there.