cuts of beef - Knowledge Search
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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.
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.
When roasting beef it is important to select the proper cut of roast beef to produce moist and tender meat when the roast beef is cooked to the desired doneness. Using the proper beef cooking times and temperatures is critical to the end results.
The high heat of grilling sears the surface of beef, creating tender meat with a flavorful crust. The required cooking temperature and the method of grilling (direct, indirect, or a combination) depends on the cut of beef and the quality of the meat.
The high heat of grilling sears the surface of beef, creating tender meat with a flavorful crust. The required cooking temperature and the method of grilling (direct, indirect, or a combination) depends on the cut of beef and the quality of the meat.
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.
General Guidelines | Degree of Doneness | Meat Thermometers
General Guidelines
Even though harmful bacteria are usually only on the surface of whole beef cuts, there is growing concern that bacteria may be present in the internal portions of the meat as well, which is why it is now recommended that whole beef cuts be cooked to an internal temperature of not less than 145°F.
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.
USDA Mandatory Inspection | USDA Optional Grading | Religious Restrictions
USDA Mandatory Inspection
All beef sold in the United States must pass inspection by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Pounding | Commercial Powders | Marinating | Rubs | Barding
Tenderizing makes it possible to purchase less costly beef cuts and still enjoy the tenderness that is usually found only in the more expensive cuts.
Comparison of Various Cuts of Beef with Chicken | Miscellaneous Nutritional Tips
The USDA recommends 2 or 3 servings of meat, fish, or poultry per day. One serving of cooked beef is equal to 3 ounces and is about the size of a deck of cards.
The proper beef roast cook times and the correct beef cooking oven temperatures are extremely important. The optimum flavor and tenderness of various beef roasts can be consistently achieved when care is taken to follow the recommended time and temperature guidelines for cooking beef roasts.
Various cuts of beef can be preserved with large quantities of salt or with the use of brining solutions. The preservation process lengthens the time that the beef products can be used safely.
Pork is the meat from the carcass of a pig. The carcass is generally split into two sides of pork, each consisting of four primal cuts. Each primal consists of subprimal cuts that are divided into several specific market ready cuts.
The proper beef cooking times and the correct beef cooking temperatures are extremely important. The optimum flavor and tenderness of various cuts of beef can be consistently achieved when care is taken to follow the recommended time and temperature guidelines for cooking beef.
General Guidelines | Charcoal Grill | Gas Grill | Doneness
Rotisserie cooking requires three key components: The spit assembly, a means to turn the spit, and a heat source for cooking.
Rotisserie Grilling Beef | Doneness
For general guidelines on rotisserie grilling, see Rotisserie Grilling Basics.
Rotisserie Grilling Beef
There are two methods of cooking beef using a rotisserie: direct heat cooking and indirect heat cooking.
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.
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.
When purchasing packaged fresh beef in a food store, the packages should be cold and the meat should be firm. The packaging should be in good condition with no tears or holes in the wrapping.