Closely related to salmon and char, the freshwater trout is a popular fish for both culinary and recreational purposes. That is, it’s regarded as having especially flavorful meat — and on a fishing line, it can put up a heck of a fight. But the humble trout isn’t so simple as it may first appear. …
Native to Australia, the emu is the second largest living bird by height (only the ostrich stands taller). And just like the ostrich, emus have been targeted as a potential alternative protein source that’s fit for farming and ranching across much of the world. In fact, the early 2000s saw a big push for Americans …
Rangifer tarandus: In North America and Canada, it’s known as caribou. But to the rest of the world, this arctic land mammal is better known as the reindeer. And within this small category, you can find a surprising range of sizes — from the diminutive Svalbard reindeer to the massive boreal woodland caribou.
Millions of years ago, the ancestor to all of the domesticated and wild fowl we know today branched out into multiple species. Chickens are one branch of this tree, and pheasants are closely related. But where chickens have been bred for large-scale production (rather than pasture-raising), the humble pheasant hasn’t enjoyed the same popularity. Why? …
One of the most tender cuts of meat from the chuck primal — the blade steak — is often overlooked because it requires some extra preparation. In fact, the full blade steak is often cut in two just to avoid its long center stripe of cartilage (aka gristle)! But if you’re willing to do a …
The chuck roll is a member of the square-cut chuck primal family that can be cut into a chuck eye roll and an under blade cut! And while it’s not as recognizable as a T-bone or a New York strip, the chuck roll has a wide variety of kitchen and barbecue applications compared to other …
While I was working in professional kitchens, batch cooking was a necessity. But after I hung up my apron, I learned that the same principles of batch cooking could be used to make my home cooking time more efficient and more enjoyable. So today, I’d like to put my experience in commercial kitchens to use …
Buying meat in bulk is the best way to save money while eating well — but if you don’t have a meat storage container solution, chances are those savings will go to waste.
Pork, the meat product of the domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus), is highly prized across the world for its unique flavor and exceptionally wide variety of culinary applications. But how much do you really know about your bacon and hocks?
The largest and heaviest member of the deer family, the moose (or elk, if you’re in Europe or Asia) is certainly an uncommon game meat for anyone outside of Alaska. Even if you’re not planning on moving to the snowy tundra, though, you can take part in cooking and eating musky and beef-like moose meat. …
Rattlesnakes: They’re one of the most easily recognizable of the snake family, and well-known for their venomous bite and noisy tail rattle. There are 36 known species of rattlesnakes and some 70 subspecies — all of which are native to the Americas. Their range stretches from southern Canada through Argentina, making the rattlesnake a constant …
Kangaroos: They’re Australia’s most recognizable animal, and an evolutionary oddity that’s long been a favorite for cartoon artists. These marsupials are part of the family Macropodidae — literally translated to mean “large foot”, which one look at these curious beasts will confirm as true.
Before we talk about brisket flat, let’s zoom out for context. In the butchering process, the first pieces of meat that are separated from the carcass are known as the primal cuts. Depending on who’s doing the butchering (and who’s doing the naming), there are 8 to 10 primal cuts — and these form the …
Though it was once regarded as good only for stew meat or grinding into hamburger patties, brisket is enjoying a renaissance. It’s an incredibly popular cut for cooking low and slow on a barbecue grill, infusing it with rich smoky flavors and transforming its tough muscle into tender and juicy meat. To really make the …
High in the mountains of the Himalayas, there is a relative of the common cow that continues to baffle scientists: Bos grunniens, the smaller and domesticated offspring of the wild yak. And while native tribes of the Himalayas have raised, cared for, and relied on yaks for centuries, no one is entirely sure when, where, …
Squirrels: If you live just about anywhere besides Antarctica, you’ve been seeing them your whole life. The little rodents have been remarkably successful at spreading across the world, and some variety of tree squirrel, gray squirrel, red squirrel, ground squirrel, fox squirrel, chipmunk, marmot, or prairie dog can likely be found right in your backyard.
Prior to 1914, pigeon was a more common everyday meat than chicken, pork, or beef in North America. How did this onetime dinner table staple fall out of favor, and what does that mean for continuing to eat pigeon meat (aka squab meat) today? The story is both sad and instructive. As railroads began to …
Conjure up an image of the desert in your mind, and you’ll see a few things: Sweltering sun. Dry, arid land covered in sand. But wherever you see people in that image, you’ll also see the desert’s most important domesticated animal — the camel.
In butchery, the round of a cow refers to its back legs. And each of the cuts taken from here — top round, bottom round, and eye of round — is formed around a round femur bone. Home to lean and inexpensive cuts, the entire round is a good source of weekday steaks that excel …
Each of the steak cuts in the round family — top round, bottom round, and eye of round — comes from the rear leg of the cow. As a result, they’re some of the leanest cuts of meat, and need to be prepared properly if you’re going to get the best taste and texture out …
There are a lot of classic cuts for steak — ribeyes, New York strip steak, and the like. But if you’re looking for an alternative that’s more affordable and quite versatile for use in other recipes, I’d suggest you take a closer look at the Denver steak. In this guide, we’ll explore the history and …
Start with a quality chef’s knife and a durable cutting board, and you’re well on your way to a fully equipped kitchen. But did you know that, when it comes to preparing raw meat, there are cutting boards that you should never use? In my decade of professional kitchen experience, I’ve had the opportunity to …
Have you ever thought about the cost of ground beef and sausage while you’re at the grocery store? Pound for pound, there’s a big markup on ground meats compared to the whole cuts they’re taken from. Or maybe you’ve been unimpressed by the quality of the ground meat and sausage you get from the store. …
Have you ever marveled at a restaurant’s ability to nail the temperature of dozens of steaks, seemingly as if by magic? That’s not just because the chefs are experienced craftspeople — it’s also because they have the right tools for the job. And when it comes to getting every one of your meats perfectly cooked …
This guide will help you find the best meat tenderizer for your kitchen based on our staff’s experience, and deep research into reviews of all the different meat tenderizers on the market. When grocery prices are going up, the clever chef knows where they can save a few bucks without giving up their favorite foods. …
Look anywhere in the world besides Antarctica, and you’ll find a constant presence: Rabbits! Whether wild or domesticated, the Oryctolagus cuniculus has become an integral part of human culture, as clothing, pet, artistic inspiration, and yes — food.
The charcuterie board is one of life’s simple pleasures. It’s an easy to make, satisfying, and diverse selection of foods that can be as simple or as decadent as you’d like. How you serve it is up to you – you can use a wooden cutting board, platter, or really any plate.
Also known as a chuck arm roast or arm pot roast, the beef arm roast is an ideal candidate for slow cooking among all the types of beef cuts. It combines the best of the shoulder section’s beefy flavor with an affordable price. So break out your crock pots, because it’s time to get roasting!
Also known as a sirloin tip steak or petite sirloin, the ball tip steak is an economical cut of beef. But if you want to get the best flavor and texture out of it, you’ll need a great recipe and a little culinary finesse. Before we get into that, though, let’s take a closer look …
If you’re consistently buying the most common steak cuts, you’re missing out. While T-Bones and New York Strips are delicious in their own right, they’re also some of the most expensive cuts you’ll find at your local butcher. But by branching out into less common cuts, you can get the best of both worlds: A …
The fine arts of curing and smoking meat have shown up in nearly every culinary tradition. From the refined charcuterie of France to the simple beef jerky of early Americans to low and slow barbecue smoked pork butts, your options for curing meat are close to limitless. Learning how to make cured meat products on …
Meat and meat substitutes have been put in the spotlight recently in our collective search for a sustainable future. And if you’re looking to put your money where your morals are, you’ll need to learn how to invest in the rise of plant based and synthetic meats.
The world is changing, and meat production is changing with it. But where many farmers are looking towards sustainable agriculture methods to limit their carbon footprints, there’s a new industry springing up around lab-grown meat. That’s what we’re here to talk about today, by taking a look at one of the companies leading the way …
Think of the changing face of food, and plant proteins will likely be first in your mind. And as scientific advances allow it, lab cultured meat will take a place on the environmentally sustainable food throne as well. What do both of these meat alternatives have in common? A focus on protein, above all else.
Have plant-based fish alternatives left you feeling a little bit… Underwhelmed? Disappointed? Sad enough to say “you know what, forget about it”? They certainly have for me. While I’ve enjoyed many plant-based protein substitutes for sausages and burgers, seafood is a much more difficult flavor to pinpoint with plants.
“Real Meat. No Compromise.” That’s the lofty goal that Memphis Meats has as its mission statement: To usher in a new world of meat. But instead of harvesting this meat from animals — with all the associated environmental impact and ethical concerns of factory farming — Memphis Meats is culturing their meat in a laboratory …
As I write this, it’s summertime where I live — and my mind is turning towards sunshine, swimming pools, and grilling. Even though I gave up beef years ago, I can’t help but get cravings for a big, juicy steak when I start up my charcoal. But with any luck, Aleph Farms might be able …
Chicken is America’s most popular meat by a long shot — but it’s also one of the most environmentally damaging and cruel of the meat industries. What’s an ethical consumer to do if they want to enjoy their favorite foods without throwing out concerns about animals and the environment? That’s the puzzle that SuperMeat is …
The beef industry is notoriously responsible for the harmful effects of climate change — but could regenerative beef let you eat your steak with a clean conscience? After making a thorough review of all the literature available on the subject, we think that guilt-free beef is the real deal. If you’ve been wondering about how …
Introduced only in the last decade, the climatarian diet has already started to gain devoted followers. But what is this new way of eating, anyway? And if you want to become a climatarian, what would you have to change in your diet?
How much do you know about the Alaska pollock, one of the most widely distributed palatable fish in the ocean? For today’s guide, we took a deep dive into the history, biology, and culinary applications of Alaska pollock, putting together dozens of hours of research and experience. Now, we’re happy to share that information with …
Sausages are a staple ingredient in Hungarian cuisine — but how much do you know about all the different types of Hungarian sausages, and how to use them in your own cooking?
With their origins in the pellet stoves popularized during the 1973 oil crisis, pellet grills have come a long way towards their inclusion as a barbecuing staple. Also known as a pellet smoker, their continual design evolution has led to significant technological advancements that make professional-quality smoking and grilling available in the comfort of your …
Everybody loves the feel of being around a campfire on a weekend evening — but if you’re tired of washing the smell of smoke out of your clothes and hair, you should look into a smokeless fire pit. A relatively recent invention, the smokeless fire pit is a compact and convenient alternative to building a …
Meat tenderizers might just be the most important tool for a thrifty chef to get the most out of their grocery money. While expensive cuts of meat are renowned for their natural tenderness and ability to sear into succulent perfection, humbler cuts are often just as flavorful — but less prized because of their tougher …
The popularization of cheap, simple, and effective vacuum sealers for home use has been a huge boon for preserving, storing, and preparing food in the comfort of your kitchen. But as with any kitchen gadget, there are plenty of imitators on the market that can’t deliver the results you’re looking for. How can you know …
Jerky can be made from almost any meat. In addition to the always-popular beef jerky and venison jerky, you can make it from goat, elk, bison, and even ostrich, yak, moose, or bear! But how can you now that you’re picking the best meat cut for making jerky? We’re here to lend a hand with …
Even if you don’t have time to cook three meals a day, you can still eat well with sandwiches if you choose the best healthy low sodium lunch meats. Finding healthy cuts of lunch meat (or any processed meat) that are also delicious can be quite a challenge, though — and if you’re having trouble …
If you grew up in the fast and frozen food culture of the past 50 years, chances are you’ve partaken of the shredded and reconstituted delight known as a chicken nugget. But outside of its adoption by McDonald’s, how much do you really know about the humble nugget?
Popular wisdom says that “everything’s better with bacon” — and we’d have to agree! But how much do you know about this deliciously salty and crunchy meat that’s made its way from breakfast to every other meal of the day?
How much do you know about the most popular poultry in the world? We’ve collected some of our favorite chicken meat facts to share with you here!
Though bacon is no doubt the star of the show at the American breakfast table, there’s a whole world of breakfast meats to explore. From Italian pancetta to thin-cut steaks, Canadian bacon, sausages, and more, meat eaters are spoiled for variety in their breakfast meats.
Are you wowed by wagyu? Thankful for tri-tip? Pumped for prime rib? Whether you’re already an aficionado of cattle cuts or a filet mignon novice, you’ve come to the right place to learn new and interesting facts about beef.
The meat of the domestic goat, Capra aegagrus hircus, is a mainstay of food cultures in Mexico, the Caribbean, Africa, and South Asia. But do you know why it has never been widely adopted in the United States? This and many more facts about goat meat await you in the article that follows!
The Angus may have come from abroad, but thanks to its easy temperament, hardy nature, and tender meat, it’s become the breed of choice in the American beef cattle industry. A black Angus bull is nearly as iconic as a Texas Longhorn. But how much do you know about this incredibly popular breed of cow?
If you’ve been salivating over the possibilities of fresh bison burgers, elk sausage, or perfectly processed bavette steak, an electric meat grinder should be on your to-buy list. For anyone intending to get serious about only consuming the highest-quality, ethically sourced meats, an electric meat grinder will open up a world of culinary possibilities.
What’s in a name? Well, in the case of elk, quite a bit — because depending on whether you’re from Europe or North America, the term “elk” can refer to one of two species from the deer family. In today’s article, we’ll be discussing the North American elk: Larger than a common deer, but smaller …
Emblematic of westward expansion and the promising beginnings of American frontiersmen, bison has long been a staple of diets in North America. Though sometimes referred to as a buffalo meat, the North American bison from which we get meat today has only a subtle genetic connection to the true buffalo.
What’s in a name? In the case of Bavette steak, quite a bit. French butchers will refer to flank steak as “bavette” steak because of its literal translation: Bib, the part of the cow that bavette steak is cut from. But that’s far from being the whole picture of bavette steak.
Though better known for its eggs than its meat, quail has been featured in cuisines from around the world for centuries. Today, we’ll be taking a deep dive into everything the first time quail eater needs to know — from what the meat tastes like, to simple recipes for preparing flawless quail every time, as …
An adaptation of a commercial kitchen appliance, air fryers are the hottest new item for home cooks. And with good reason: They’re an exceptionally versatile tool that can give a crisp almost as good as deep frying, but without the added calories and waste of frying in oil.
Worldwide, goat meat carries a mixed reputation: Considered a delicacy in some cuisines, it’s often considered an exotic meat in American cooking. But with a long history of inclusion as a staple in South Asian and Mexican gastronomy, we’re of the opinion that goat meat deserves a prominent place in kitchens here in the United …
A long-time favorite food of coastal dwellers, clam meat is a popular shellfish choice in cuisines from around the world. But did you know that this humble coastal staple can come from one of dozens of different species of marine bivalves, each with their own unique flavor and texture? If you’re ready to get to …
I was first introduced to the wonders of conch meat back in 2006, through an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations”. While visiting South Florida, the celebrity chef and renowned gourmand sampled conch two ways: As part of a chowder served alongside grilled snapper, as well as in finely ground conch meat fritters seasoned with …
Domestic ducks offer a trio of products that make them a sought-after animal on farms of all sizes. Thanks to their downy feathers, nutritious eggs, and richly flavorful meat, humans have seen fit to keep ducks for over 4000 years!
Anyone who has worked in a kitchen likely knows that meat is a fickle thing. Different types of meat can require vastly different cooking methods to coax out their best flavors and textures — and some meats are just downright tough, no matter how you cook them. So what is an at-home cook to do …
Transport yourself momentarily to the early colonial days of America, and you would find very different proteins on your plate than the pork, beef, and chicken of today. Chief amongst these was turtle meat — renowned for its rich, deep flavor and easy availability at the ocean’s shore. As turtle soup, it was even a …
The knives available to a Japanese chef are enviable not only for their incredible craftsmanship, but for their specific utility in the kitchen. For every job, there is a knife that’s designed to handle the task in the most efficient and effective way possible. So when it comes to finding the right Japanese meat cleaver …
As the largest and heaviest of all living birds, ostriches are truly one of nature’s greatest oddities. And as you’ll soon learn, even their meat is a source of wonder for curious eaters.
It turns out that popular depictions of hungry bears in children’s cartoons (think Yogi and Pooh Bear) may not be that far off the mark. Even if they’re not eating honey straight out of the jar, bears are always scrounging around for the proverbial picnic basket at the campsite — as any hiker in the …