Exploring Varieties and Ideal Cooking Methods
At Carson Valley Meats, we take pride in preserving the traditions of agriculture, fostering a future where the Farm-to-Table movement thrives for generations to come. Our commitment to the Farm-to-Table movement is not just a business endeavor; it’s a way of life we cherish and want to preserve for future ranchers and our local agricultural heritage.
One of the primary ways we fulfill this mission is by offering our customers the opportunity to purchase quarter, half, or whole beef shares. While this might seem like a substantial investment, there are numerous financial, environmental, and practical reasons why it makes perfect sense in the long run.
Benefits of Purchasing Beef Shares
Buying a quarter, whole, or half beef share offers many benefits for consumers, including knowing where your meat comes from. There’s a disconnect between shoppers in the grocery store and the producers in the field. (See our blog, Food Brings Everyone To the Table, to learn more about agriculture in Nevada.)
The Farm to Table movement provides fresh, locally sourced foods, actively supports local ranchers and businesses, and brings a community together to celebrate their shared agricultural heritage. Plus, when you buy in bulk, you get an assortment of beef cuts, providing a variety of flavors and cooking possibilities to explore. In today’s blog, we’ll explore all the different cuts of beef, along with recipes, and tips on the best ways to cook each one.
7-Bone Chuck
The 7-Bone Chuck is a flavorful meat cut that will revolutionize your weeknight meals. The best cooking methods for the 7-Bone Chuck include braising, slow cooking, or roasting. For a simple weeknight meal, slice it into thick steaks and marinate them in your favorite seasoning like Heart Rock Herb & Spice Co.’s Tahoe Meat Rub before grilling to perfection. If you’re looking for more of a comfort food dish, try out this Beer and Beef Stew that uses Alpen Sierra Coffee Roasting Company’s Battle Born Blend and 7 Hawk Ranch’s Fresh Organic Thyme to create an incredible flavor.
Rump
In the world of meat cuts, the rump stands out as a versatile and delicious choice for any meat enthusiast. This cut of beef is an excellent choice for pot roasts or stews, and leftovers are perfect for hot sandwiches like French Dips.
It’s also perfect for busy weeknights as it can easily be cooked unattended in an oven or slow cooker. If you’re looking for a super quick and easy meal, try it with Woodsong Herbs’ Hunters Stew Meal Start Kit. Just add your veggies, meat, and broth for the perfect meal every time.
Sirloin Tip
Sirloin Tip is a versatile and flavorful meat cut that is sure to ignite your taste buds. This lean and tender cut is perfect for various cooking methods and makes for great recipes like Sirloin Tip sandwiches or this Carne Asada Taco Recipe. One of the best ways to cook this cut is through Karin and Mike’s favorite method: pan-seared. It takes a little planning the night before you want to cook a Top Sirloin. Take them out of the fridge and pat them dry. Generously salt them with Heart Rock Herb & Spice Co.’s Tahoe Seasoning Salt, and chill uncovered in the refrigerator overnight.
Brisket
When it comes to cooking beef brisket, slow and low is the way to go. This cut also makes for a great Corned Beef dish, so be sure to check out our blog on Four Corned Beef Recipes You’ll Love for Dinner Blog with this delicious Instant Pot Beef Brisket with Cabbage Recipe, our Crock Pot Beef Brisket Recipe, and more!
London Broil
London broil refers more to a cooking method than a specific cut. However, top round or flank steak is commonly used for this preparation. Marinating the steak before grilling or broiling is essential for tenderizing this lean cut. If you’re looking for a yummy marinade, try out this Beer and Honey Marinade Recipe with Misbeehaven Farm’s Infused Garlic Honey or this Sweet and Smoky BBQ Sauce Recipe that uses Heart Rock Herb & Spice Co.’s BBQ Kansas Seasoning and their BBQ Smoked Texas Seasonings.
Back Rib
Back ribs are flavorful and can be cooked in various ways, including grilling, smoking, or slow roasting. These ribs are ideal for barbecue enthusiasts and can be enjoyed with a savory sauce or dry rub. Try Heart Rock Herb & Spice Co.’s BBQ Tahoe Seasoning to add some flavor to this cut.
Cross-Rib
The cross rib comes from the shoulder area and is known for its marbling and flavor. This cut benefits from long, slow cooking methods like braising, pot roasting, or slow cooking in a crockpot. For a tasty and easy slow cooker recipe, try this delicious Balsamic Roast Beef Recipe.
Short Rib
Short ribs are a popular choice for slow-cooking methods like braising or stewing. This flavorful and marbled cut becomes tender and succulent when cooked low and slow, allowing the connective tissues to break down. If you’re looking for an excellent recipe for this cut, try this fantastic Braised Short Rib Recipe or this delicious Korean Style Short Rib Recipe!
Ribeye
Known for its exceptional taste and tenderness, the ribeye boasts a unique attribute that sets it apart from others. Karin and Mike enjoy this cut because it has more internal fat than other cuts, making it the only steak derived from the front of the animal. Karin states that “the marbling melts into the steak as it cooks,” making for an incredible taste.
T-Bone Steak and Porterhouse
Both T-bone Steak and Porterhouse consist of two cuts: the strip steak and the tenderloin (filet mignon). These cuts are best cooked by grilling or pan-searing to your desired level of doneness. The T-bone offers a balance of flavor and tenderness, while the Porterhouse boasts a more significant portion of tender filet mignon. We sat down with Mike to learn more about steak. Read his thoughts on our Quintessential Steak Blog to learn much more!
Top Sirloin
Top Sirloin: Top sirloin is a versatile and affordable cut that can be cooked in various ways. It is well-suited for grilling, broiling, or pan-searing. For tenderness, it’s recommended to cook it to medium or medium-rare and let it rest before slicing. For more tips on this cut of beef, view our blog Top Sirloin Steak – Budget Friendly, Flavorful (and a little bit persnickety) Steak.
Bones and Shanks
Beef shank is a cut that promises rich flavors and tender delights! As Mike says, “Karin makes this beef shank dish I just love to eat. I’ve never eaten beef shanks before, it’s usually a tough piece of meat, but if you let it simmer all day long, the meat just falls off the bone; it’s so tender. And the marrow cooks into the broth – I swear it helps my arthritis.” Make sure to try out Karin’s Beef Shanks Over Rice Recipe to see why it’s a favorite!
Flank and Skirt
Flank and skirt steak are flavorful cuts that benefit from marinating and quick cooking methods. They are best cooked over high heat, such as grilling or pan-searing, and sliced thinly against the grain for tenderness. A great snack you can make with Flank Steak is beef jerky, and we have an excellent recipe for you to try.
Ground Beef
This cut is incredibly versatile and can be used in numerous recipes, but what it’s best known for is hamburgers! Hungry Hearts, a food truck in Carson Valley usually found parked at the Genoa Bar Fridays through Sundays all summer, said CVM ground beef is the perfect meat for their Smash burgers. Co-owner Kim McIntire discovered the perfect beef for their Smash burgers from Carson Valley Meats after a tip from a friend. McIntire said, “We knew as soon as we did a taste test that this was the meat for us… We couldn’t ask for better meat for our signature burgers.” Though we can’t share their secret recipe, we do have our own recipe for the Best Hamburger that we want to share with you!
Tri-Tip
The tri-tip, a triangular-shaped cut, offers a balanced flavor and tenderness, making it suitable for grilling, roasting, or smoking. Cooking it to medium-rare or medium and slicing it against the grain enhances its tenderness. For a simple weeknight meal, thinly slice the cooked Tri-Tip and serve it atop a bed of fresh greens with this Spring Greens Honey Lemon Vinaigrette Recipe with Misbeehaven Farm’s Infused Garlic Honey for a quick and satisfying salad. Also, don’t miss out on this fun Cola Root Beer Marinade Recipe that uses Heart Rock Herb & Spice Co.’s BBQ Mesquite Seasoning for an incredible flavor.
Hanging Tender
Also known as the “hanger steak” or “butcher’s steak,” it comes from the cow’s diaphragm and boasts a rich, beefy taste. The best way to cook the Hanging Tender is to grill or pan-sear it over high heat, creating a beautiful, caramelized crust and a juicy interior. To add a burst of flavor, season the steak with Heart Rock Herb & Spice Co.’s Tahoe Garlic Pepper, or try this fantastic Coffee Rub Recipe. Alpen Sierra’s French Roast or Vienna Roast are great options to use for the ingredients.
Clod Tender
The clod tender, located near the shoulder, is a tender and flavorful cut suitable for roasting, grilling, or braising. Marinating greatly enhances its tenderness, and once cooked, you can slice it into medallions for serving. For a simple weeknight meal, try slicing the clod tender into thin strips and stir-frying it with your favorite vegetables and a savory sauce. But for those who crave a different kind of flavor, try out this mouthwatering Coffee Rubbed Steak Recipe with Alpen Sierra Coffee Roasting Company’s Italian Roast! (P.S. this coffee rug is GREAT on pork chops too!)
Lovingly raised, humanely processed
At Carson Valley Meats, our dedication is to preserving the traditions of agriculture. As a part of our values, we actively support the Farm-to-Table movement. We take pride in offering our customers the opportunity to purchase a quarter, half, or whole beef shares. While this choice is financially beneficial, it is also environmentally friendly and practical for their daily lives.
Through this guide, we aimed to share not only our knowledge of beef cuts. Furthermore, we also wanted to share our passion for the Farm-to-Table practice of lovingly raising our animals, as well as humanely processing local beef. By choosing sustainable meat and supporting local farmers, we preserve traditional values for generations.
We hope this guide has helped you to savor the rich flavors of beef and explore new cooking methods. Furthermore, we aim to empower you to make choices that support a healthier planet as well as a vibrant agricultural community. We wholeheartedly embrace the Farm-to-Table lifestyle, honoring the legacy of the past and cherishing the present. We also hope to preserve a brighter, more promising future for everyone.