Beef mince remains a staple in British family meals

Beef mince continues to hold its place at the centre of British family meals, remaining the most popular and trusted type of mince purchased in retail, according to new AHDB research.

Beef mince continues to dominate the category and remains the clear first choice for shoppers.

Over the past 52 weeks, 70% of GB households bought beef mince, making it the most popular mince by a clear margin.

In total, 134 million kilos of beef mince were sold through retail, accounting for 73% of all mince purchases. Pork, chicken and lamb minces lag far behind.[1]

Our research shows that this loyalty is driven by a combination of practicality and strong emotional attachment. Traditional beef mince recipes such as spaghetti bolognese, lasagne, chilli con carne and cottage pie continue to showcase beef mince at the centre of the plate.

They are quick to cook, easy to portion and widely enjoyed by adults and children alike, reducing the risk of waste or the need to cook separate meals.

Participants described mince-based meals as warming, comforting and nostalgic, often linking them to childhood memories and long-standing family routines.

This emotional reassurance helps explain why beef mince remains a weekly staple, even as food budgets come under pressure.

In the past year, the average price of beef mince has risen by almost 28.7%, driven by high inflation across the beef category.[2]

As a result, retail volumes have fallen by -8.3% and 3.1% in household penetration. However, rising prices have changed how shoppers buy and use beef mince.

The higher prices have driven some consumers to switch from beef mince to cheaper proteins outside of mince, primarily chicken (whole bird, breast, wings, legs and thighs).

Consumers have a strong sense of what a pack of mince should cost, typically expecting a 500 g pack to sit between £3 and £5. When prices creep above that level, purchase decisions become more deliberate.

Emma Wantling, Retail and Consumer Insight Manager AHDB, said:

“To manage higher prices, shoppers are adapting rather than walking away.

"What we’re seeing is a high degree of loyalty to beef mince, paired with pragmatic behaviour. People are changing pack sizes, fat contents and how often they buy, but beef mince still earns its place in the trolley.

“Health considerations continue to shape choices. Five-per-cent-fat mince is widely seen as the healthier option and now accounts for more than half of all beef mince volumes.

"At the same time, some households are trading up to higher-fat mince to reduce spend, with volumes of 15–19%-fat mince growing year-on-year.”

Pack size has become a key way shoppers manage spending. Larger packs appeal to those looking for value, particularly where beef mince can be batch cooked, frozen or stretched across several meals, while others opt for smaller packs or buy less often.

Although some turn to mixed or poultry-based alternatives as a short-term measure, with many shoppers still valuing beef mince for its flavour, texture and versatility, particularly in traditional dishes.

As the nation celebrates Great British Beef Week from 23 to 30 April, we are championing British beef and the farmers behind it.

Recipe inspiration, including both modern and classic takes on much-loved mince dishes, as well as cooking tips and more, is available at simplybeefandlamb.co.uk/collections/beef/beef-mince-recipes

[1] Worldpanel by Numerator UK, 52 w/e 22 March 2026

[2] Worldpanel by Numerator UK, 52 w/e 22 March 2026