Eager to master cooking meat? You’re not alone, many home cooks and pro chefs alike devote years perfecting meat cooking techniques. Here are a few cooking meat tips, tricks and recipes from some of the best cooks and chefs around.
Cooking Meat Tips, Tricks And Techniques To Know
1. Cooking Meat With Beer And Liquor
Using liquor when cooking meat seems to be an open secret among pros. We’ve all seen it one too many times in cooking shows! Although it looks so simple as spilling the liquid over meat, there seem to be a trick to it–rules to observe. For example, colored spirits go well with darker meat. Also, the liquor should complement the meat and not overpower it.
2. Cooking Meat In The Microwave
Cooking meat in the microwave is an unconventional way to prepare meat. In fact, most chefs will frown at the idea. But if you’ve got a lot on your hands, the microwave can be a lifesaver. As a general rule, use microwave-safe cookware for meat. Yes to glass and ceramic dishes and no to aluminum, plastic and containers with metal lining.
3. Spice Up | 6 DIY Spice Combos For Cooking Meat
Meat is savory as it is, but you can bring out the best in it with herbs and spices. Spices can turn simple meat dishes into gourmet meals. Know your spices and herbs if you want to master the art of cooking meat. Know what herbs and spices go with what kind of meat. Learn the different spice combinations that trademark a certain cuisine.
4. Nine Spicy Beef Jerky Recipes To Love
Beef jerky is a meat preservation technique that has endured for many generations. It isn’t at all surprising since they are such handy and tasty snacks or go-to food for camping or barbecue. Here are well-loved spicy beef jerky recipes cut and cooked to your satisfaction. You’ll love these spicy and savory beef jerky recipes, from jalapeño, spicy maple-sriracha and Thai beef jerky!
5. Three Spicy Ground Beef Recipes
Ground beef is a versatile meat ingredient you can experiment on. From meatballs, hamburger patties and chili, the choices seem to be endless. You can also use it to bulk up sauteed veggies or sauces. Check out these three spicy ground beef recipes and you will see ground beef in a different light. We have here meatballs, chili and coconut patties with ground beef as the star ingredient!
Ground Beef News Alert!
We have to share this thought though. There are rising concerns about the safety of store-bought ground beef. Its production and manufacturing process can render ground meat contaminated. What you can do is try to buy locally, from trusted stores and only organic and grass-fed ground beef. Or you can also try to grind the beef yourself. Cook ground beef very well to kill any present bacteria or contaminants.
6. Browning Meat Tips
Whether ground, small slices, or big cuts, browning your meat can get tricky. Your meat has to be a nice golden brown with crisp sides and not gray and sloppy. Follow these tips and tricks to get perfectly browned meat.
- Prepare the meat before browning.
- Drain moisture from the raw meat with paper towels.
- Heat a lightly oiled cast iron pan, add meat and spread it evenly.
- Use a spatula to flip the meat once the edges have crisped and browned as desired.
7. How To Sear Meat
Searing meat can spell the difference in your soups or meat stews. It helps bring out your meat’s natural flavor and gives it a lovely color. To sear meat, heat the pan to around 400 to 450°F. Prepare your meat and season it well. Do not overcrowd your pan and leave the meat alone until ready to flip or until brown and crisp on both sides.
8. How To Braise Meat
If you want your meat perfectly roasted, we have one word–braising. It’s simply cooking a chunk of meat in flavored liquid until tender. Follow this simple formula and you’ll get melt-in-your-mouth meaty goodness.
- First, sear your meat browning it on all sides, then transfer it to a pot (a crockpot will be better).
- Saute garlic where you seared the meat and pour the goodness over the meat.
- Add red wine, seasonings, tomato paste and soy sauce.
- Cook it on high for an hour, then six hours on medium.
9. How To Cook Meat Fast And Easy
Cooking meat can take some time, but there is a way to do it quick and easy. You can either use ground beef or you can pick small cutlets from the grocery. Pick tender meat cuts like tenderloin and sirloin. Pick a mallet and pound away. You’ll be cutting cooking time by more than half using these tips.
10. Pressure Cooker Meat Tips
Tough meat cuts are no match for the trusty pressure cooker. While it is sure to soften tough and chewy meat fibers, it can easily turn meat into a tasteless soggy lump. Give the meat a quick sear or braise to give it an oven-cooked finish before cooking in the pressure cooker. Use fresh herbs to season the meat. Avoid submerging the meat in liquid and using thickeners. Save it till after. Don’t use the pressure release if you don’t want all the flavors escaping with the steam. Try these tips in this recipe:
Pressure Cooker Beef Stew Recipe
What You’ll Need:
- 1 1/2 lbs cubed beef stew meat
- 2 cups beef stock
- 3 large or 4 small potatoes
- 2 carrots
- 2 celery stalks
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cups water
- 2 cloves garlic
- 80 ml red wine
- 4 tbsp flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
- salt and pepper to taste
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Instructions: Set aside half of the flour and season with salt and pepper, then coat beef cubes in the flour mix. Heat olive oil in the pressure cooker over medium heat. Add the coated beef cubes and cook until brown on all sides. Remove beef and set aside. In the same oil, saute garlic and onions. Add wine to deglaze the pan then add the remaining flour. Add beef stock and water. Put the meat back to the cooker then top with bay leaf and thyme. Cover the pressure cooker tightly and bring to a high pressure. Remove from heat once pressure is reached. Release pressure naturally then carefully uncover the cooker. Add vegetables to the cooker and bring it to high pressure again. Turn off the heat when pressure is reached again and allow the pressure to be released naturally.
11. Meat Safety Tips
Meat can spoil easily and pretty fast. Authorities go to great lengths to ensure quality and safe meat for you. But there are certain steps you need to take as a consumer. From the grocery up to your refrigerator you can take these steps to ensure meat safety. Follow these meat safety guidelines from meatsafety.org.
Now you know cooking meat the chef’s way isn’t all that challenging. It can be tricky, but with these tips, techniques, and recipes, your cooking skills will move a notch higher on the cooking expert scale. Keep practicing using these cooking meat tips and techniques!
Do you have any tips for cooking meat on your own? We’d be delighted to know about it!
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