The best part of beef for stew so that it gives you maximum flavor and tenderness to your gumbo is the chuck roast. It’s a super flavorful cut of meat that doesn’t fall apart in the slow cooker like some other cuts do. you might be wondering What is the most tender beef for stew? The short, easy answer is chuck roast.
If you are interested in good health, you may want to find out the health benefits of eating beef. This article will show you how to get the most nutritional value out of your food and avoid foods that have been found to damage your health.
Best Part Of Beef For Stew
Few foods are more satisfying and hearty-pleasing than a steaming bowl of beef stew. The surprising part is that preparing stew only requires chopping up a few ingredients—typically, meat, potatoes, and carrots—turning on the stove, and waiting. The secret is in the low and slow cooking.
But which meat cuts work best in a beef stew? It can be challenging to determine which beef would produce a flavorful stew and which would benefit from a low-and-slow cooking technique because there is so much meat and so many varied attributes in beef.
Now that science has the answers to so many culinary mysteries, we turn to it. Stews can stew for a very long time, thus the meats that are used must be able to take such heat for so long while still being as flavorful prepared.
The science behind meats and stew
According to Serious Eats, tough pieces that are lean and high in collagen make the tastiest stew meat. According to Healthline, collagen is a type of protein that is present in animals and gives muscles, ligaments, and other connective tissue their structural integrity. The tenderloin (or traditional filet) comes from the rear of the cow, right below the spine, an area that doesn’t get a lot of usage over the cattle’s life, leaving it with a low level of collagen. As a general rule, the more a muscle is worked, the more collagen it has.
Because they can tolerate the prolonged, high-heat cooking procedure without fully disintegrating, collagen-heavy meats are preferred for stews because they retain their structure and flavor. According to The Spruce Eats, collagen can also be slowly cooked into a gelatin-like substance that functions as a flavor enhancer and binder that permeates into the broth and the other ingredients of your stew.
Which meat cuts are ideal for beef stew
Let’s examine what truly works best now that we’ve identified the reasons why some cuts of beef are superior to others while making beef stew.
According to MasterClass, chuck, sirloin, and brisket originate from the cow’s shoulder, lower back, and front chest, respectively. Because these areas see a lot of use, the muscles in these places are powerful, and the meats are moderately tough. Simply cubing and cooking these cuts results in really wonderful results.
According to Serious Eats, oxtail and bone-in short rib are two more meat pieces that might work extremely well in stews, however they could tend to be more expensive as a result of their limited availability. These cuts, which are typically offered with the bone in, can add flavorful undertones and slightly more gelatin than the first three boneless cuts.
However, any of these cuts can result in delicious beef stews and are a must-try for your thickest, heaviest stew.
WHERE THIS CUT COMES FROM:
INGREDIENT CUTS | PRIMAL CUT
Versatility makes these cuts ideal ingredients for dishes such as burgers, tacos and meat sauce. Perfect for breakfast, dinner and everything in-between.
COOKING METHODS:
- BRAISING
- PRESSURE COOKING
- SOUS VIDE
- STEWING
RECIPES THAT USE THIS CUT:
ANCHO-SPICED BEEF STEW | 2 HRS 45 MIN
Looking for a new take on Beef Stew? Slightly spicy ancho chilies add a burst of flavor to beef and hearty sweet potatoes. Top with your favorite fixings.
ASIAN BRAISED BEEF WITH VEGETABLES | 2 HRS 30 MIN
Tender beef is slow-cooked in coconut milk to make this hunger satisfying Asian beef and vegetable dish.
AUTUMN BEEF AND CIDER STEW | 2 HRS 30 MIN
Feel that chill in the air? Craving beef stew and cider? Try this recipe with both. Tender beef and tangy cider make this a family-friendly and flavorful meal this fall.
BEEF & GREEN OLIVE STEW | 2 HRS
Layers of delicious flavor from onions, fennel, tomatoes and olives make this savory Beef Stew one you won’t forget!
OTHER CUTS YOU MIGHT LIKE:
KABOBS
This popular grilling cut is extremely versatile and flavorful. Skewer alongside vegetables for grilling or use in a stew.
- GRILLING
- BRAISING
- BROILING
BEEF FOR STIR-FRY
Weeknight dinner ingredient that’s easy to prepare, whether it’s for fajitas, salad or stir-fry.
- SKILLET COOKING
- STIR-FRY
GROUND BEEF
Versatility and rich flavor make it ideal for burgers, tacos or wraps. Perfect for breakfast, lunch and everything in-between.
- GRILLING
- OVEN ROASTING
- SKILLET COOKING
- BRAISING
- BROILING
what is the most tender beef for stew
Traditional Nigerian stew has been handed down from one generation to the next.
It can be prepared with a variety of meats and ingredients like potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions.
If you can, use the freshest ingredients while making a great Nigerian beef stew.
In this post, we’ll provide you some helpful advice on selecting beef for Nigerian stew as well as some common cuts that work best for this dish.
How to choose beef for Nigerian stew?
A Nigerian stew can be made with several types of meat, including beef, goat, lamb, or chicken, hence there is no set recipe for it.
The majority of the time, Nigerian beef stew is the best option because beef is widely available throughout the world.
The method for choosing a quality cut of beef for Nigerian stews is the same as for other stew recipes.
Thus, the following advice might be useful to you:
1. Choose a cut with a lot of connective tissues and marbling fat
Cooking time for stewing is considerable.
As a result, you don’t need to be concerned about getting a tough cut of meat because even a really difficult piece of beef will become tender after a lengthy period of cooking on the stovetop.
A cheap approach to add protein and taste to your dish is to get a tough cut of beef with a lot of connective fibers and marbled fat.
2. Select a cut without any sign of spoilage like discoloration and a pungent smell
The second thing to bear in mind is that you should buy a fresh cut of beef that shows no signs of spoilage when choosing beef for Nigerian stew.
You should examine the cut’s color, texture, and fragrance to determine whether it is stale or not.
Fresh beef has a dark crimson color with a glow to it, while stale beef has a much duller appearance.
A stale or old cut of beef will also have an unpleasant smell about it.
5 best beef for Nigerian stew
The following five best beef cuts are easy to find and can be used to elevate your Nigerian stew to a whole new level:
1. Beef stew
Beef stew is a term for the beef cut that is typically used for any stewing recipe.
Beef stew is often made from the chuck cut, which is located in the upper shoulder area of the cow.
You can find beef stew pre-sliced into cubes and labeled as “beef stew” so that everyone can know that this package is for making stew dishes.
2. Short ribs
Another alternative for your Nigerian stew is beef short ribs.
For the Nigerian stew recipe, you can either use boneless short ribs or bone-in short ribs; the latter is more expensive than the former.
These beef slices will become more tender as a result of the prolonged cooking period, and the dish will be tasty and have a tender texture.
3. Flank steak
Flank steak is a classic cut for stir-frying, but it can work great for your Nigerian stew.
This cut is definitely not the most tender cut of beef, but it can become very tender when slow-cooked in a stew.
Flank steak is relatively lean while still being very flavorful.
4. Beef tongue
The beef tongue might not be a popular cut of beef, but it is a good beef cut.
This cut tends to have a meaty instead of offal flavor.
It has a chewy texture so if being slow-cooked for a long time, the tongue will become tender and can melt in your mouth.
5. Corned beef
Even a Nigerian stew can be made using corned meat.
Any grocery or supermarket will have tinned corned beef on hand.
Beef brisket is the best cut of meat to use for this recipe if you want to make your own corned beef.
With a jar of corned beef in your kitchen, you may make a variety of recipes for your family and friends. Corned beef has many uses.
The bottom line
Therefore, we have you covered with the top beef cuts for stew in Nigeria.
Usually, a tough cut of beef with the right amount of marbling fat content will suffice instead of a premium cut like tenderloin or ribeye steak.
The lengthy cooking period will aid to tenderize the beef, producing a dish that is juicy, delicious, and tender that is served with a rich broth.
Health Benefits Of Eating Beef
1. Beef is High in Protein and Helps Improve Muscle Mass
Our bodies require protein, so it’s crucial to consume it every day. The essential building blocks (amino acids) that our bodies require for the repair and development of muscle, bone, skin, hair, cartilage, and other tissues are provided by proteins. Our bodies need protein on a daily basis to maintain our lean body mass, often known as muscle mass. Additionally, proteins are the most satiating of all the nutrients and help us feel full for a longer period of time, reducing unneeded cravings.
One of the main sources of protein in the human diet, beef is brimming with amino acids that are good for your health. As an illustration, a 6oz (170g) serving of 80% lean beef has 46g of protein. The protein content rises if we choose a leaner breed of cattle!
2. Beef is Extremely Rich in Minerals
Beef is also very rich in minerals like potassium, phosphorous, magnesium and iron. In fact, a 6oz portion will give you (%DV):
Copper 10%
Iron 18%
Magnesium: 7%
Phosphorus: 40%
Potassium: 10%
Selenium: 50%
Zinc: 65%
For people with certain mineral deficiencies, beef is an excellent source of nutrition!
3. Eating Beef Helps Prevent Iron Deficiency Anemia
One nutrient deficiency worth mentioning is Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA). According to Dr. Ian Griffin, “Iron deficiency remains a major public health issue even in a developed country such as the United States.” Currently, iron deficiency affects 10% of the population, with half of this deficiency IDA.
4. Beef Contains Carnosine
Another advantage of eating beef is that it provides an abundance of carnosine, 50% more than other proteins like poultry. Carnosine (beta-analyl-L-histidine) is created by combining the amino acids alanine and histidine. It is found throughout the body and has several important roles in human health, most notably in exercise performance and muscle mass balance.
What Does Carnosine Do?
For one thing carnosine has anti-glycosylation properties. What this means is that carnosine reduces the harms of a process called ‘glycation,’ directly related to human aging. Carnosine is also helpful in exercise performance, skeletal muscle homeostasis, and it even boost the immune system and can reduce inflammation. The compound is also thought to help prevent lipid peroxidation within our cells.
5. Beef is Full of Vitamins
There are many important nutrients in beef, and those present in significant amounts include the range of B vitamins, which are vital to energy metabolism (amount per 6oz 80/20 beef %DV):
Vitamin B1 6%
Vitamin B2 20%
Vitamin B3 45%
Vitamin B5 17%
Vitamin B6 42%
Vitamin B12 152%
Folate 3%
Additionally, beef also contains smaller amounts of vitamins E and K. Of importance, Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is an essential nutrient only available from animal foods. This vitamin also has a wealth of benefits that include skin improvements, positive mood, better sleep, and neural regeneration. It’s important to realize that insufficient vitamin B12 may also increase the risk of depression and mental health issues.
6. Beef Contains the Natural Creatine
Almost everyone knows the dietary supplement version of creatine, but did you know that beef contains it too? In fact, beef typically contains 350mg creatine per 100g
The health benefits of creatine:
- Improved exercise performance
- Creatine assists in muscle growth and development
- Provides muscles with greater energy supply and improves endurance
- Increased muscular size
It’s also worth noting that our liver can produce about 2g creatine per day, depending on the pre-cursors being available. Creatine precursors include arginine, glycine, and methionine. Not only are all of these amino acids present in beef, but beef is a single most significant dietary sources; in other words, eating beef gives you a decent amount of dietary creatine, and it helps your body to produce it too!
7. Beef is Very Affordable
To guarantee that your food is free of dangerous chemicals or preservatives, Five Star Home Foods offers all-natural Certified Angus Beef products. It surpasses USDA Prime, Choice, and Select in quality. Every bite is guaranteed to be highly tasty, incredibly soft, and naturally juicy according to eleven quality requirements, including ample marbling. Ensure that the beef you and your family consume is of the greatest caliber and is healthy.
Final Thoughts
Beef contains dozens of health-promoting nutrients that we need in our diet. Overall, it is one of the most nutrient-dense foods in the human diet, and has been for many generations.