Creating the perfect smoked brisket takes skill, patience, and understanding of the smoking process. But smoking a brisket on a pellet grill is not the same as with charcoal, wood, or propane. So here’s how to cook a brisket on a pellet grill. A pellet grill offers home cooks a convenient way to achieve that … Read more
Brisket is considered the best of all the BBQ options. But it’s not cheap, so you don’t want to over-order and end up with way too much. So when you’re budgeting for your next gathering, how much is brisket per pound? As a general rule, expect to pay between $4-6 per pound for uncooked brisket. … Read more
Lots of people love steak. You’ve noticed the different grades of meat at the grocery store. But Prime beef can be pricey leading many to wonder is Prime steak worth it? While USDA Prime does taste great, USDA Choice Grass-Fed steaks taste better. Despite minor differences between Certified Angus USDA Choice, regular USDA Choice, and … Read more
When it comes to selecting the right cut of beef, it can be overwhelming trying to navigate the various options available. Two popular cuts that often cause confusion are chuck roast and chuck steak. So let’s explore the differences between chuck roast vs. chuck steak: Chuck roast and chuck steak derive from the beef shoulder … Read more
Meat departments often have dozens of choices, and typically put the oldest meat at the front. So what are the ways to tell if a steak is fresh in the grocery store? To determine steak freshness in a grocery store, consider the following criteria: Observe a vibrant, cherry-red color (darker if vacuum-packed). Feel for firmness … Read more
Navigating the meat department at the grocery store can be a confusing experience with labels displaying terms such as select, choice, and prime. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, uncertain of which one promises the juiciest, most flavorful steak. So let’s talk about demystifying and understanding steak grading. Steak grading, assigned by the USDA, categorizes beef … Read more
The debate between conventional and organic foods has always been a hot topic in culinary circles. For meat lovers, the discussion often centers around the flavor profile of steak. So let’s answer the question of organic vs. conventional steak: Which tastes better? Organic steaks have a richer, more natural flavor due to their diet and … Read more
For best results, you want to cook a steak while it’s fresh. But maybe you bought it a couple of days ahead of time and want to know, how long does raw steak last in the fridge? According to USDA guidelines, raw steak may be kept in a refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. But … Read more
There’s nothing like a great steak perfectly cooked. But sometimes we buy meat 1 or more days ahead of time. And occasionally, it may look darker or have an off smell when we go to cook it. So, how can you tell if a steak is spoiled? A steak is spoiled if it has a … Read more
Brisket is arguably the holy grail of barbecue. But when you go to the store, there can be a lot of brisket choices and sizes. So, how do you pick a good brisket? Start by picking Prime or Choice brisket. Then look out for dark purple-ish meat that has a “fat cap” at least 1/2 … Read more
The sight and aroma of a freshly grilled steak can automatically activate one’s taste buds. But now and then, you happen on a tough one that’s chewy and not very appetizing. It makes you wonder how do I make steak more tender? Make steak more tender by buying USDA Prime or Choice beef. Dry-aged and/or … Read more
Trader Joe’s is known for a lot of quality groceries at great prices. But they don’t have a full-service meat department, so does Trader Joe’s sell humanely raised meat? Trader Joe’s does sell some humanely raised meat as they sell meat from both conventional and all-natural producers. Not all meat at Trader Joe’s is humanely … Read more
Going to the grocery store’s meat department can be overwhelming. There are so many choices in the beef section alone with lots of different products and best-by dates. So, how can you tell good quality beef? Identify good quality beef by looking for a bright red color, little to no pooling of blood in the … Read more
One of the secrets to cooking great steaks is to know how to cook them and how to pick a good one. And steaks with the most connective tissue often end up rubbery and chewy. So in case you want to avoid them, what steaks have the most connective tissue? The steaks with the most … Read more
Steaks are definitely one of the delicacies most people love. But there are a lot of different cuts to choose from when it comes to buying steaks, with some being less tender than others. So are all steaks chewy? Not all steaks are chewy, and many are tender and flavorful. The steaks that come from … Read more