Informational and journaling-oriented guide

85/15 vs 93/7 Ground Beef

85/15 and 93/7 often appear in the same shopping conversation because they both sit on the leaner half of the common retail range. This guide shows the raw-reference gap more clearly before you move into custom portion math.

Open this preset in the tool Open the ratios guide hub

Quick answer

One raw-reference basis keeps the comparison easier to trust

93/7 shows fewer calories and less fat per 100 grams raw than 85/15, while protein density is stronger. 85/15 stays closer to the middle ground between classic richer ratios and the leanest common options.

93/7 shows fewer calories and less fat per 100g raw than 85/15, while 93/7 carries the stronger protein-per-calorie profile.

Comparison table

Raw per 100g reference values for this guide

Ratio	Calories	Protein	Fat	Sat fat	Iron
85/15 85% lean / 15% fat	215 kcal	18.6 g	15 g	5.9 g	1.90 mg
93/7 93% lean / 7% fat	152 kcal	20.9 g	7 g	2.7 g	2.10 mg

The table stays on one per 100 gram raw basis. For custom amounts, cooked portions, or drained-crumbles estimates, move into the linked tool preset.

93/7 is the leaner endpoint in this pair

It drops fat and calories more sharply than it changes protein, so the overall density shifts toward leaner portion math.

85/15 works as a midpoint reference

85/15 is useful when you want to compare something clearly leaner than 80/20 without jumping to the lowest-fat common ratio on the page.

Cooked estimates matter most when portions are measured after cooking

If you weigh finished crumbles or patties, the cooked estimate layer helps translate the portion back to the raw-reference ratio more clearly.

FAQ

Common questions tied to this comparison

Is 93/7 leaner than 85/15?

Yes. 93/7 carries less total fat per 100 grams raw, which usually means fewer calories and a stronger protein-per-calorie ratio.

Why compare 85/15 and 93/7 together?

They are both common options for shoppers who want something leaner than 80/20 but still want a practical retail comparison.

Does 93/7 always show more protein?

The protein density is typically stronger, but the biggest visible difference is still the drop in fat and calories.

Can I use this page for a cooked portion estimate?

Yes. The linked tool lets you keep the ratio pair selected while switching into custom raw or cooked portion math.

Methodology

Ratio pages stay raw-reference first

Raw baseline

The comparison table stays on per 100 gram raw values. That avoids mixing cooked weight changes into the baseline comparison.

Label context

Ratio numbers describe lean and fat by weight, while label words such as lean and extra lean follow separate FSIS threshold rules.

Cooked math

Cooked portions and drained crumbles belong in the tool, where weight change and retained-fat estimates can be shown separately from the raw reference.

Sources: USDA FoodData Central raw beef reference data for the base ratio system, USDA FSIS ground beef labeling context for percent lean and percent fat wording, and FSIS water-in-meat context for explaining cooked-weight concentration. Last reviewed: 2026-03-28.

USDA FoodData Central FSIS ground beef context FSIS water in meat context