Crossword Genius

Beef is good and ready to eat (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gripe

'beef' is the definition.
('gripe' can be a synonym of 'beef')

'good and ready to eat' is the wordplay.
'good' becomes 'g' (abbreviation).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'ready to eat' becomes 'ripe' (I've seen this before).
'g'+'ripe'='GRIPE'

'is' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for gripe that I've seen before include "beef" , "Protest" , "Complain, grouse" , "Grumble informally" , "carp" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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