3D-Printed Steak: This Israeli startup is developing a 3D-printed lab-grown meat that’s already shipping around the world

Welcome to the future of food! Imagine savoring a juicy steak that’s 3D-printed, all while contributing to the planet’s well-being. Yes, it’s now possible with 100% lab-grown beef, completely cultivated without a single cow.

Over the years, we’ve covered the astounding progress of tech startups crafting everything from 3D-printed cars and homes to hearing aids and prosthetic limbs. But hold onto your taste buds because one Israeli startup is catapulting 3D printing into a whole new realm with its mouthwatering innovation—a 100% lab-grown steak, freshly printed and ready to sizzle.

Founded by the dynamic duo of CEO Eshchar Ben-Shitrit and Adam Lahav, the Tel Aviv, Israel-based Redefine Meat burst onto the scene in 2018 with the vision to pioneer a new era in alternative meats, armed with cutting-edge 3D technology. The company’s goal is to revolutionize the food industry with authentic and sustainable plant-based meat, that’s not only good for the environment but is also kind to animals.

In the same year, Redefine Meat achieved a groundbreaking feat and successfully 3D-printed the world’s first plant-based steak that replicated not only the taste but also the texture and appearance of traditional meat, all while relying solely on plant-based ingredients.

As you may probably recall from other food startups we covered over the years, Redefine Meat is not the only player in the plant-based meat space. However, what sets Redefine Meat apart is its fusion of plant-based meat with 3D printing prowess, a unique combination that positioned it in the global alternative meat market. Its 3D-printed meat concoction includes a blend of soy and pea protein, chickpeas, beetroot, nutritional yeasts, and coconut fat, all meticulously shaped into steak-like forms via their state-of-the-art 3D printers.

Yet, Redefine Meat’s ambition doesn’t stop at culinary delight; the startup extends to addressing the sustainability crisis associated with conventional meat production. Its use of plant-based ingredients aligns with its mission to reduce the environmental footprint of meat consumption, specifically tackling issues like greenhouse gas emissions and land usage.

The meat industry, as numerous studies have shown, is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change and environmental degradation. Meat-heavy diets play a role in this predicament, making it vital for individuals to consider reducing or eliminating meat consumption to combat the climate crisis.

Research from the University of California at UC Davis found that livestock farming is responsible for a staggering 14.5% of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. This includes not just carbon dioxide (CO2) but also methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), all potent contributors to global warming. Furthermore, animal-based foods bear a larger carbon footprint than their plant-based counterparts, accounting for only 29% of greenhouse gas emissions.

While it’s true that ruminants like cows contribute just 4% of total greenhouse gases in the United States, with beef cattle representing only 2% of direct emissions, a study by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reinforces the global impact of livestock farming, accounting for 14.5% of worldwide greenhouse gases.

While Redefine Meat is not the only startup in the alternative meat market, what sets it apart is its 3D-printed approach. Unlike other plant-based meat startups that often replicate ground beef with soy-based crumbles, Redefine Meat specializes in creating 3D-printed meat that mirrors the taste and texture of cuts like flank steak.

Redefine Meat has been growing since its inception in 2018. In 2021, Redefine Meat expanded its reach to the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands. Over its 5-year journey, the startup has been working on developing an array of plant-based meat products, ranging from steaks to burgers, catering to both consumers and the food service industry. Notably, they formed a strategic partnership with Giraudi Meats, an importer, to facilitate the European distribution of their ‘New Meat’ steak cuts, all crafted with precision on their innovative 3D printers.

Below is a video of Redefine Meat’s 3D-printed steak in action.

Here’s another coverage of Redefine Meat by Inside Edition.