selecting beef cuts - Knowledge Search
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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.
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.
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.
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.
General Tips for Carving Beef | Steps for Carving a Prime Rib Roast
Beef that is roasted should rest for 10 to 15 minutes after it is removed from the oven so that the natural juices are allowed to settle.
Braising is a process of slow cooking tougher cuts of meat in liquid in order to add flavor and to moisten and tenderize the meat. This technique is also known as pot-roasting.
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 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.
Ground, Cut, and Chopped Turkey
Ground Turkey
Just like beef cuts that are ground into hamburger, turkey can be ground and used in the same way. Ground turkey consists of white or dark turkey meat, or a combination of both.
Tying a Rib Roast | Tying a Tenderloin | Tying a Top Blade Chuck Roast
Tying various cuts of beef is a good way to hold the shape of a roast, to keep the cut of beef in a compact form, and to make sure that the meat will be cooked evenly.
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.
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).
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.
The Thicker Cut
Thicker cuts of meat can be a challenge to grill so that they have a nice flavorful, crisp outer surface with a juicy tender middle. They are cuts that are too thick to be grilled with just direct heat but are not as thick as a cut that requires a long period of indirect heat, such as a roast.
One of the quickest and most convenient methods for cooking beef is with the use of a microwave oven. Although the flavor and tenderness of the beef may not be as pronounced as with other cooking methods, the overall results can be very good if the meat is microwaved properly.
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.
Refrigerator Method | Microwave MethodDefrosting Time | Additional Thawing and Defrosting Tips
Refrigerator Method
(Recommended)
Frozen beef should not be defrosted at room temperature.
Ribs
The beef carcass has 13 pairs of ribs, but not all of the ribs are included in the rib primal cut. The first 5 ribs are part of the chuck cut in the front of the animal.
The poaching process cooks beef with the use of simmering liquid in a covered pan. The liquid is brought to a boil, the beef is placed in the boiling liquid, the heat is reduced so that the liquid is at a gentle simmer, and the pan is covered.
Deep-frying, also known as deep-fat frying, is a process of immersing food in a deep pot containing heated oil, which cooks the food quickly, producing a crispy surface over a tender and moist interior.