by Allison Sylte, Colorado State University

Most American consumers aren’t getting the full value of the beef cows we slaughter. While 56% of the weight of a cow includes the types of meat consumers are most familiar with, the other 44% is made up of offal, otherwise known as organ meats, as well as hides.

This 44% of the animal is incredibly useful, but historically undervalued by American consumers. That’s why Jordan Kraft Lambert, director of ag innovation at the Colorado State University Spur campus in Denver, wants to help ranchers, cattle feeders and consumers find ways to use these products.

“While most U.S. consumers are familiar with cuts like roasts and ground beef, they don’t often know that organ meats, such as the heart and liver, are the most nutrient dense part of the animal,” Lambert said. “Offal can confer tremendous health benefits, and are celebrated throughout the world in ethnic cuisine.”

Everyone is invited to learn more about the value of organ meats and try it for themselves during the Offal Party at CSU Spur, which is slated 5:30-10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 (tickets are available here). This event also includes a leather fashion show featuring designs from CSU students.

Q&A with Jordan Kraft Lambert

Lambert sat down with SOURCE, an electronic newsletter provided by CSU, ahead of the event to share her insights about offal and its importance for a more sustainable food system. Read the full Q&A below.

What is offal?

Offal are the edible internal organ meats of animals that include tongue, heart, liver, kidney, lung and stomach. These meats are the most nutrient-dense part of the animal, and for this reason are often what animals in the wild will prioritize eating when they’ve had a successful hunt.

Are organ meats good for you?

Offal is awesome for you! Organ meat is a super amazing way to get a lot of great nutrients, but especially riboflavin, vitamin B₁₂ and vitamin A. Riboflavin supports your energy levels, digestive health and cell growth.

Vitamin B₁₂ is a precursor to serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters that allow you to feel joy, sleep better and regulate your metabolism. Vitamin A keeps your eyes, teeth and skin healthy. Different cuts of organ meat provide different quantities of these.

What are some examples of dishes that contain organ meat?

There are tons of amazing dishes from all around the world that use organ meats. Kebda eskandarani  is a delicious Egyptian dish that uses liver. In the United Kingdom, they make steak and kidney hand pies. Lengua tacos from Mexico are super tasty, as is haggis from Scotland. (Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!)

A lot of pet treat companies are making organ meats more accessible to our pets through really cool new pet treat brands like Winnie Lou, which is important because cats and dogs are natural carnivores. There are also beauty companies that use beef tallow to make skin moisturizers because fat-soluble vitamins can be really good for skin.

The Offal Party will take place during the National Western Stock Show, which is famous for serving up Rocky Mountain Oysters. Do these count as offal?

Yes, indeed! Testicles are in fact considered offal. They're full of beneficial fats, proteins, B vitamins, zinc and selenium!

How can offal be used outside of human and animal food?

While not technically considered offal, the hide of animals can often be discarded during meat processing, and it can end up in landfills, just like organ meats. Hide is really a special material because it's evolved for millions of years to protect the animals and keep them safe and comfortable. That’s why when hide is used to make leather, it’s such a high-performance, luxury material that’s uniquely breathable, durable and cleanable.

How is leather a sustainable clothing option?

Leather is a sustainable clothing option for three reasons. Firstly, hide will rot in landfills if it is not made into leather, and it only gets made into leather when consumers demand leather. As meat demand continues to increase, hide supply will also increase as a result. It’s better for the environment for that hide to go into our apparel supply chains than into our landfills.

Secondly, leather goods are unique because they last much, much longer than synthetic alternatives. Many leather goods become heirloom pieces that last longer than a single lifetime. This means that consumers can keep a leather good for longer, whereas with synthetic goods, they will have to buy and then discard them several times.

Thirdly, leather biodegrades. Synthetic alternatives are often petroleum-based and break down into microplastics that persist in the environment for hundreds of years. Leather, though long-lasting and durable, is a natural material that will return to the environment organically.

Why is it important for consumers to think about offal and leather?

I believe that every person deserves a nutritionally dense diet and a planet worth living on. By consuming offal and investing in leather pieces, you are:

• Treating yourself to nutrient-dense food and long-lasting fashion.
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our food and fashion supply chains.
• Improving profits for our beef producers so they can support their rural communities while also stewarding our grazing lands for soil and ecosystem health.
• Honoring our cows by using every part of them.

Tell me about The Offal Party at CSU Spur. What should we expect?

The 2025 Offal Party is an opportunity to:

• Learn why consuming offal and wearing leather is key to supporting Colorado’s soil health.
• Immerse yourself in a Western-inspired fashion show celebrating the role of genuine leather in couture.
• Shop Western wear items from brands you love and others you’ll meet from our Genuine Leather Runway.
• Feast on delicious, nutritionally dense offal cuisine from all over the world prepared by award-winning chefs (vegetarian options also included for folks who are offal-cautious).
• Meet the founders making offal into crave-worthy beauty, fashion, food and pet treat products by listening to finalist pitches for the Offal Business Plan Competition.
• Dress to impress in your Western best. There will be line dancing after the party!

Editor’s note: Allison Sylte is a PR writer and senior specialist at Colorado State University.

Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, Vol. 17, No. 1-B