Americans Are Quietly Ditching Red Meat—Here's Why

Americans are cutting back on red meat, with nearly 70% reporting a reduction in the past year. A 2025 survey also found that 48% bought less beef in the previous six months, while 12% stopped eating it altogether. Despite this shift, most still include red meat in their diets at least once a week—just in smaller amounts than before.

A 2024 study revealed that health concerns drove 64% of people to eat less red meat. Another 32% pointed to rising prices as their main reason for cutting back. Environmental sustainability, however, played a much smaller role, influencing only 6% of those reducing consumption.

Younger generations are embracing alternatives more readily. Gen Z and millennials are nearly three times more likely than baby boomers to choose plant-based options at least once a month. Yet, despite these changes, only 11% of Americans identify as flexitarian, according to a December 2024 survey.

For those making the switch, simple substitutions in familiar meals have proven most effective. Dishes like lentil bolognese or black bean enchiladas help ease the transition. Nutritionally, plant-based proteins can match meat—cooked lentils offer 18 grams of protein per cup, firm tofu around 20 grams, and chickpeas roughly 15 grams per can.

The trend toward reduced red meat consumption continues, shaped largely by health and cost concerns. While younger consumers lead the shift to plant-based alternatives, most Americans still include meat in their diets. The data suggests gradual rather than drastic changes in eating habits.