beef stew - Knowledge Search
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Shopping | Thawing | Marinating | Rubs | Cooking | CarvingGeneral Safety and Handling | Ground Beef Safety and Handling | Nutrition
Shopping
Lean boneless cuts yield up to 4 servings per pound.
Beef is the name given to meat obtained from the carcasses of cattle. Each primary beef cut is known as a primal cut, which are groups of muscles from the same area of the beef carcass. The beef primal cuts include the chuck, rib, short loin, round, brisket, plate, and flank.
Contamination PreventionDoneness | Proper Storage | Safety and Handling Tips
Contamination Prevention
Shopping
When shopping for beef, make sure it is among the last items selected so that the length of time it is without refrigeration is as short as possible.
Beef cuts should be selected according to the planned method of cooking. For example, if beef is to be cooked on a grill, a tougher cut from the round or plate should not be purchased, unless the intention is to tenderize the meat before cooking it.
crock pot, slow cooker, slow cooking
Canned Beef ProductsCommercially prepared canned products containing beef are widely available. The products are fully cooked, so additional cooking is not required although heating the products for a short period improves the flavor.
The food label on packaged beef provides a variety of information designed to make shopping as easy as possible. The label provides the following information depending on the type of beef product that is purchased:
Description of Beef Cut
The label on raw beef cuts contains the name of the primal cut the beef was taken from, the name of the retail or market ready cut, a short description (bone-in or boneless), the total weight, and cost per pound.
Miscellaneous Products
Frozen Whole Beef Cuts
Whole fresh beef cuts may be packaged and frozen before they are purchased by the consumer.
Barbecued Beef Ribs
There are several brands of beef ribs that have been fully cooked with barbecue sauce added.
Miscellaneous CutsSome fresh beef cuts or scraps are ground, rolled, tenderized, cubed, or sliced in food stores or meat markets into various products that add convenience for the consumer.
Refrigerator Method | Microwave MethodDefrosting Time | Additional Thawing and Defrosting Tips
Refrigerator Method
(Recommended)
Frozen beef should not be defrosted at room temperature.
Many cuts of beef purchased at a food store or specialty meat market are ready to cook, but some cuts may need additional trimming or boning before they can be cooked. If extra calories and saturated fat are an issue, then it is best to remove as much external fat as possible.
Stewing is a moist heat cooking process much like braising except that the meat is totally immersed in liquid rather than being only partially immersed as it is with braising.
The following points should be considered when purchasing cuts of beef:
Lean boneless cuts yield up to 4 servings per pound.
Beef cuts with some bone yield up to 3 servings per pound.
Braising | Stewing
Braising and stewing involve the slow cooking of meat in a liquid. This technique tenderizes and softens firm or tough cuts and allows for rich and subtle blending of the meat flavors with those of the liquid and seasonings.
Use the charts below to help determine how much to buy of the foods listed below when preparing a meal or a recipe for a specific number of people.
Pasta Buying Guide | Rice Buying Guide | Egg Buying Guide | Meat Buying Guides
Pasta Buying Guide
The quantities in the chart below are approximates only.
Types of Lamb | Shoulder | Breast and ForeshankRib | Loin/Flank | Leg | Variety Meats | Special-Order Cuts
Lamb, the meat from the carcass of a young sheep, is a lean red meat with a mild, but distinctive flavor.
Organize Your Storage Area | Storage Charts
Storing your food properly and under the best condition possible will extend its life to its maximum potential. Some foods can be stored at room temperature and some must be refrigerated.
Pot Roasts
Cuts from the chuck are among the most popular cuts for pot-roasting (braising). They have plenty of connective tissues that melt when the meat is pot-roasted making it tender and flavorful.
Miscellaneous Products
Pork Cutlets (Scallops)
Cutlets are thin boneless pieces of meat that weigh 4 ounces or less and are taken from tender cuts, such as the tenderloin and loin.