11+ Delicious Ways to Enjoy Beef Tendon

11+ ways to enjoy beef tendon: From spicy rice dishes to pho broth, discover delicious recipes to savor this collagen-rich meat in various global cuisines.

beef tendon over rice, close-up view

Beef Tendon is a unique cut of meat made of mostly collagen. It’s a great choice for delicious international lunches and dinners. 

But are you tired of how you usually enjoy it and looking for other options to eat this tasty meat? Look no further!

In this article, I’ll provide you with 11 delicious ways to make the most out of this underrated cut of meat. As an experienced chef and home cook (my family’s opinions matter more than the critics!), I know how to make the most flavorful dishes out of beef tendon.

By reading through my suggestions, you’ll gain insight into different ways to prepare and serve beef tendon and ideas on what spices and flavours pair best with it.

So if you’re ready, let’s get cooking!

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1. Pair Spicy Beef Tendon With Fried Rice

Beef tendon rice set meal

This pairing is a great way to turn leftover takeout into something special. Simply cook the beef tendon with garlic, ginger, and green onion in a wok.

Then add the cooked rice and top it off with your favourite Szechuan chilli sauce.

2. Make an Asian-Style Beef Tendon Soup

For a light and savoury soup dish, make beef tendon soup.

This is an incredibly easy dish since you’ll need to cook pre-marinated beef tendon with onions, garlic, and ginger. Then, add water, coconut milk, and your favourite spices like turmeric or curry powder.

3. Make a Western-Style Beef Tendon Stew

The beef tendon can be chewy, but stewing makes it softer and more tender.

You’ll just need to simmer beef tendon, carrots, potatoes, and any other vegetables of your choice in a flavorful tomato-based broth.

4. Serve Beef Tendon With Udon Noodles

Welpac Japanese Udon Noodles, 10 Ounce (Pack of 12)

Udon noodles are the perfect vehicle for beef tendon. Start by making a simple, slightly sweet sauce with soy sauce, sake, and mirin.

Then put it all together by cooking the beef tendon until tender and adding udon noodles to the pan.

5. Get Creative With a Beef Tendon Stir Fry

You can add beef tendon to the mix for a Chinese-inspired stir fry. You can marinate the beef tendon with flavorful ingredients like ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and hoisin sauce.

Add in your favourite stir fry vegetables, and boom! An excellent weeknight meal. Even if you don’t eat the tendon, it’ll add flavour to the rest of the ingredients.

6. Cook Beef Tendon in Pho Broth

Instead of using traditional beef cuts, try making pho with tender pieces of beef tendon instead.

This requires some cooking time, but the result is melt-in-your-mouth pieces of beef tendon.

7. Try Out Beef Tendon Curry

Curry is another liquid-based dish that works well with beef tendon by softening it and adding a delicious richness.

Try creating an easy Japanese-style curry by simmering beef tendon in dashi broth with sweet potatoes, carrots, onions, and any other vegetables of your choice.

8. Braise Your Beef Tendon

Inspired by the Chinese yum cha style, braising is a nice cooking method for turning tough pieces of beef tendon into a tender and luscious dinner.

Simply add beef tendon, a few aromatics like garlic and ginger, and some liquid to a slow cooker or heavy bottom pot. Then let it all simmer for a few hours until the beef tendon becomes soft and succulent.

9. Go Global With Beef Tendon Taco Soup

I wanted to try making beef tendon tacos, but it was simply too chewy. However, I decided to instead incorporate beef tendon into a taco soup!

That way, I could capture the flavour of the tendon while still incorporating the flavours of classic Mexican cuisine.

10. Blend Up a Beef Tendon Dip

A perfectly cooked beef tendon can contribute to an amazing dip. I know it sounds strange, but trust me! 

Start by shredding the beef tendon, then mix it in a food processor with garlic, cilantro, jalapeno pepper, and sour cream.

This dip is perfect for spreading on toasted bread or as a dip for tortilla chips. And the best part is blending. It maintains the flavour while getting rid of the “chewy” concern.

11. Wrap-Up Beef Tendon Spring Rolls

One of my favourite ways to enjoy beef tendon is by wrapping it up in spring rolls.

If you liked the yum cha-style braised beef tendon mentioned earlier, you can also take that same technique and use it for spring rolls!

Frequently Asked Questions

Beef tendon isn’t as popular of a cut of beef as others, such as steak and ground beef. 

However, with its chewy texture, the beef tendon can be used in various dishes for an interesting and unique meal. But if you still have questions, refer to our quick FAQ below!

Is beef tendon good for eating?

Yes! Beef tendon is an excellent source of protein and minerals

You can cook it in various ways, but the best tends to be slow cooking it or adding it to stews and soups. The beef tendon has so much flavour, which is why it’s a great addition to many dishes.

What is in beef tendon?

Beef tendon is largely made of collagen and elastin, which give it its chewy texture. It also contains minerals such as calcium, zinc, and iron.

Does beef tendon need to be cooked?

Yes, beef tendon needs to be cooked before it can be eaten. It is a tough, rubbery cut of meat and is usually best when cooked for a long time if one wants to chew it.

Alternatively, you can add it to soups and stews for flavouring but leave it in the bowl once you finish the rest of the dish.

No matter how you decide to cook it, the beef tendon is a delicious and healthy cut of meat that can amp up a wide variety of dishes.

Is beef tendon fat or collagen?

Beef tendon is collagen, the main structural protein found in animals. Collagen helps to give structure to connective tissues and muscles, which is why beef tendon needs to be cooked for a long time to soften it.

It also contains some fat, but not as much as other cuts of beef – less than 10%.

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