Lamb, composite of trimmed retail cuts, separable lean only, trimmed to 1/4" fat, choice, cooked
Whole food · Lamb, Veal, and Game Products
This is premium, lean lamb—trimmed of excess fat and cooked to a tender, succulent finish. Its flavor is distinctly rich, slightly gamey, and deeply savory, with a firm yet juicy texture that holds up beautifully to high-heat cooking. With nearly 30 grams of high-quality protein per 100g and minimal fat, it's a powerhouse for muscle maintenance and satiety.
Calorie split: 57% protein · 0% carbs · 43% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People cherish its robust, distinctive flavor that forms the backbone of countless comfort foods and festive meals. Its versatility shines across grilling, roasting, and braising, adapting beautifully to bold spices and simple herb preparations alike.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The natural gamey flavor can be off-putting to those accustomed to milder meats. It is also a red meat, so individuals monitoring saturated fat intake or with specific heart-health concerns should practice portion control. To mitigate richness, pair it with acidic or fiber-rich sides like a tangy yogurt sauce, a vinegar-based slaw, or roasted root vegetables.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of complete, high-quality protein for muscle repair.
- Rich in bioavailable iron, crucial for energy and red blood cell health.
- Provides essential zinc, supporting immune function and wound healing.
- A natural source of B vitamins, especially B12, vital for nerve health.
- Low in carbohydrates, making it suitable for low-carb and ketogenic diets.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The specific term 'choice' in its name is a USDA quality grade, indicating the meat has moderate marbling, which contributes to its flavor and juiciness even in this lean cut.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 62.0 g |
| Energy | 206 kcal |
| Energy | 862 kj |
| Protein | 28.2 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 9.5 g |
| Ash | 1.1 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.00 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 15.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.0 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 26.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 210 mg |
| Potassium, K | 344 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 76.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 5.3 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.13 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.03 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 26.1 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.10 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.28 mg |
| Niacin | 6.3 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.69 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.16 mg |
| Folate, total | 23.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 23.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 23.0 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 2.6 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.19 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.4 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.30 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.8 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.2 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.2 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.28 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 3.9 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.62 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.51 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.06 g |
| Cholesterol | 92.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.33 g |
| Threonine | 1.2 g |
| Isoleucine | 1.4 g |
| Leucine | 2.2 g |
| Lysine | 2.5 g |
| Methionine | 0.72 g |
| Cystine | 0.34 g |
| Phenylalanine | 1.1 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.95 g |
| Valine | 1.5 g |
| Arginine | 1.7 g |
| Histidine | 0.89 g |
| Alanine | 1.7 g |
| Aspartic acid | 2.5 g |
| Glutamic acid | 4.1 g |
| Glycine | 1.4 g |
| Proline | 1.2 g |
| Serine | 1.0 g |
FAQ
What does 'composite of trimmed retail cuts' mean?
This is a USDA term indicating the meat is a blend from various primal cuts (like leg, loin, or shoulder) that have been trimmed to a uniform 1/4-inch fat cap, ensuring consistent leanness and cooking performance.
How is this different from regular ground lamb?
This is whole muscle meat, not ground. It has a distinct, firmer texture and is typically used for chops, roasts, or kebabs, whereas ground lamb is minced and used for burgers, meatballs, or sauces.
Is the 'choice' grade the highest quality?
No. 'Choice' is the second-highest USDA quality grade for lamb, below 'Prime' and above 'Select.' It offers excellent flavor and tenderness with slightly less marbling than Prime.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.06 kcal/g · 55% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.22 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.