Nose to Tail Eating: What it is and Why it is Important.

Nose to tail eating is the process of eating all parts of the animal. Not just the coveted filet mignon or chicken breast. With nose to tail eating the organs, meat, and bones are used to create delicious meals, support the body with vital nutrients, and reduce waste from typical processing styles. This is the way our ancestors ate but modern grocery convivences have made most Americans today queasy at the sight of beef liver or a piece of meat that is not perfectly cut.

Benefits of Nose to Tail Eating

1. Less Waste: Nose to tail eating creates less waste because all of the animal is used. Think about when you go to the grocery store and all you see are 4 or 5 different cuts of meat. Do you ever think about where all the rest of the cow or chicken goes? With nose to tail eating the bones, organs, and all meat are put to good use.
2. Cost effective: Did you know that you can save a ton of money by purchasing a whole cow or 1/2 a cow at once? We started doing this a few years ago and have really grown to love the process. We know where our meat comes from, we save money buying in bulk. And half the time, the owner throws in some extra bones for free! I use these bones to make homemade bone broth and save a ton of money!
3. Nutritionally Beneficial: The parts of the animal that we tend to stay away from like bones and organs are incredibly nutrient dense. In fact, beef liver is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet! It is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that are necessary for our bodies to function properly. People spend a lot of money on liver supplements, but you can pay a lot less and just eat liver! I know, it doesn’t taste great. But the benefits are worth it!
4. Add Flair to Your Cooking: One thing I love about nose to tail eating is that we get a lot of cuts of meat that I would normally be afraid to even buy at the store. But, since they are just sitting in my freezer, I am forced to try new recipes. I really like this whole chicken recipe which leaves enough for leftovers and the bones make great broth!

Where to Start with Nose to Tail Eating

I get it, all of this sounds great but where do you start and how do you do it? Here are a few practical tips for getting started with nose to tail eating.

1. Find a reputable supplier. If you know someone with a farm, that is a great place to start! If not, ask around and see if your friends know anyone. A quick google search will also show you many places in your area that sell cow, chicken, and pig by the 1/2 and whole. Ask the supplier about their meat. Is it grass fed? Is it organic? What are they feeding the animals and how are they processing them? Ask about getting the bones and organs with the animal.
2. Once you have the meat, it is time to cook. The meat we get is grass fed and grass finished meaning it is leaner than most meat you buy at the store. I have found the key to cooking this is going low and slow. This allows the meat to become more tender. If you try and cook it too fast, it will be way too tough to eat.
3. Start with one new cut a week. You don’t have to jump straight into all new recipes. Ground beef is still ok to eat! As is that yummy filet! Don’t overwhelm yourself with all the new cuts. Just take them one at a time and see what you like.
4. Try splitting a cow with a friend (or two). The price of a whole cow can seem like a lot to take on at one time. While it will save you money in the long run, sometimes that up-front cost is too much. We have gone in with friends several times to cut the cost. You still end up with all the cuts, just less of it.

Nose to tail eating is a fun, cost effective way to provide your family with delicious and nutritious meals. It may seem daunting at first, but I promise you, it is worth it!