The amount of cholesterol in beef varies according to the type of cut and how much fat the meat contains. A heart-healthy diet can include beef if you choose lean cuts and healthy methods of preparation. The American Heart Association recommends that you limit your consumption of cholesterol to less than 300 mg each day.
Low Cholesterol Content
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database lists the cholesterol content of various types of beef. According to those listings, which are for a 3-ounce serving unless stated otherwise, lean sirloin steak with most of the excess fat trimmed is the cut of beef lowest in cholesterol. When broiled, a serving contains 47 mg of cholesterol. Sirloin that has a bit more marbling, or visible fat, contains 64 mg of cholesterol per serving.
Other Low-Cholesterol Choices
Another cut of beef that is among the lowest in cholesterol is lean eye of round steak. A serving, braised, contains 53 mg of cholesterol. Bottom round steak, lean and braised, is a little higher in cholesterol, with 87 mg per serving.
Ground Beef and Other Cuts
A broiled ground beef patty that is 80 to 85 percent lean meat contains 77 mg of cholesterol. A serving of lean chuck blade roast, braised, has 90 mg, and a serving of canned corned beef has 73 mg. A serving of beef ribs, lean with fat trimmed, roasted, contains 68 mg of cholesterol, and a 1-ounce serving of cured dried beef has 33 mg.
High Cholesterol Content
The cut of beef with the highest content of cholesterol is liver. A 3-ounce serving, pan-fried, has 324 mg. The livers of other animals are also high in cholesterol, primarily because the liver is where most cholesterol is produced in animals.
Significance
Although the amount of cholesterol in different cuts of beef does vary a bit, most lean cuts contain approximately the same amount. Comparable-size servings of other lean meats, including chicken, pork and lamb, contain approximately the same amounts of cholesterol as beef.
