Only rock ‘n’ roll may rival meat as one of the terms with the broadest meaning in language. It’s like hearing a guitar for the first time and then learning that there are innumerable variations of rock ‘n’ roll, from ska to djent.
Meat also comes in a variety of colors;)
I should start with the division that is the most obvious: the term “meat” often excludes poultry and fish. However, this is far from the depths of the secretive cavern into which we are going to descend.
Each animal in these three categories has distinct tastes and qualities that make them more or less ideal for a certain meal.
Even if we were to chop up just one animal, we would discover that not all of them are as suitable for the grill as we would want.
Does that imply that we can’t simply grill them? No.
However, since both salmon and pork chops are regarded as “rock,” comparing the two would be like comparing the Beatles to Metallica.
The finer points are where the culinary art truly shines, and I’m about to hand you the kingdom’s keys.
Meat Cuts
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Pork
Although never truly appreciated as other red meats, pork packs more than enough flavor and healthy nutrients to stand toe to toe with other entries from this list. The sound of pork sizzling on a grill is difficult to describe. Fortunately for us, pork cuts are not that hard to grasp:
- Loin – Pork loin cuts are tasty, but they are very lean, and they dry out rather quickly while you cook them. Pull them off the burner the moment they reach the right temperature. On the back of a pig, you can also find delicious ribs and a lot of material for bacon.
- Shoulders – Little less pristine and fattier than loin, shoulders are, on the other hand, very affordable. That means they are excellent material for fast food and improvised barbecues.
- Blade – Some people consider blades a part of the shoulder. Still, blades are the most delicious parts of the shoulder, and they have enough credibility to earn a separate spot on this list. They are heaven for quick sandwiches and pork stews.
- Spare ribs – Another cut I could technically qualify as shoulders. But because some dishes are made exclusively out of spare ribs (e.g. St. Louis spare ribs), I’ll give them a separate entry, too.
- Belly – Of course, when we say belly, we are not thinking about the stomach. More of the flesh surrounding it. A long cut of meat with plenty of fat. A perfect starting point for making bacon or pancetta.
- Leg – Pork legs are very versatile. You can buy them cut into pieces or you can buy them whole. You can roast them, grill them or fry them. However, they are the favorite when they are a ham.
- Hocks – Some people love them some people hate them. Be it as it may, they make a very nice addition to beans.
Related: Learn How To Cut Frozen Meat
Beef
Beef meat is very rich in protein. It is also of better quality than pork meat. The toll you will have to pay for this added value is the more complicated cutting pattern and, of course, a price bump. I will try to keep things as simple as they can be, though. Here are some of the beef cuts essentials:
- Chuck – As for the taste – great. As for the preparation – it knows to be somewhat tough. The solution – give it some sweet time cooking. Time will transform its toughness into delight. Or you can simply marinate the meat.
- Ribs – By that, I think of the calf’s back. They usually come in three, four, or seven rib slabs, and they are the best when they’re braised or marinated and grilled.
- Loin-Loin offers an almost endless slew of culinary possibilities that include grilling, rolling, filling, and stewing. However, one of the great results you can get away with is a roasted beef/potato combo. Just leave the meat to cool off for a couple of hours once you get it out of the oven.
- Flank – One of the most delicious, albeit hardest parts of a calf (as it turns out they have some pretty nasty abs). If you marinate the meat and slice it thin you can even put it on a grill.
- Hip – An appetizing, and, at the same time, very affordable piece of meat. It’s ideal for braising, but you can use the smaller cuts for roasting as well.
- Short plate – If you are looking for grilled meat – look no further, you’ve found it. Sure, you’ll have a hard time preparing it evenly (the meat is streaked with fat), but the result will more than compensate for the effort.
Lamb
Lambs are very popular around the world, and there’s a good reason for that. Lamb meat is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. It also packs enough fat to make things interesting even for the people who love to spice things up. As for the cuts:
- Neck – Lamb’s necks are very affordable, and you can find them in almost any supermarket. Be warned – they’re usually sold together with shoulders. While you can cook both of them over a low fire, only the neck can be treated like steak, and cooked over high heat.
- Shoulder – Lamb’s shoulder muscles do a lot of the hard work, so they are not very tender. That makes them a perfect candidate for braising and slow roasting.
- Rack – The most expensive lamb cut, but for a good reason – it’s both tender and fine-flavored. It also gives you a chance to play with the ribs for a spectacular presentation.
- Breast – Breasts are very affordable and surprisingly versatile. You can stuff them with breadcrumbs, roll them, braise them, and roast them.
- Loin – Much like rack chops, loin meat is also very tender and flavored, and yes, somewhat expensive. Loin chops are, however, excellent when grilled, broiled, and sautéed and they grace some pretty wonderful Middle Eastern dishes.
- Leg – A rather substantial piece of meat with a unique flavor. It can be roasted or grilled. If you cook it, try to be restrained or it can end up being pretty dry.
Chicken
We all know that chicken meat is very healthy, affordable, and high in protein, selenium, and phosphorus. It’s simply a must for everyone trying to lose weight and experiment with international cuisine. What’s also important to us, their cuts aren’t too complicated at all:
- The whole bird – The most economical way to prepare a chicken and use it for the next couple of days.
- Breast – A nice, hefty piece of meat for all the people who love their food lean and fatless. However, some would even call it too fatless, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to marinate it before roasting.
- Wings – The Alpha and Omega of fast food. Wings are also considerably good than the rest of the chicken, so they certainly have that special little something.
- Leg – Another budget-friendly and easy-to-prepare addition to your plate. Marinated drumsticks will be your best friend at picnics.
- Thigh – This part of the chicken is exceptionally juicy and flavorful, and we all know what that means – Very little or no preparation at all. Just put the thighs in the pan, and you are halfway there.
Fish
And finally, His Majesty, the Fish. What makes fish so pristine is neither the price (you can find more affordable food) nor the flavor (although, this one is opened to debate). Fish is the only source of the incredibly healthy Omega-3s you’ll ever need. Much like chicken, you can prepare fish whole, but, as I mentioned above, we are here to deal with finesses:
- Head – Not the prettiest food out there, but fish heads still pack a lot of meat and make an essential part of some tasty Asian dishes.
- Collar (Kama) – The piece of meat just behind the gills. Although it’s often confused with the rest of the fish, in some cases, this particular cut is the star of the evening.
- Back meat (Loin) – The fish at its finest. You can prepare back meat in many different ways, but the most common one involves the joined forces of flour, breadcrumbs, and a pan.
- Abdomen/tail meat – Not as good as loin but still very healthy and flavorful. The only difference between abdomen and tail is that the abdomen packs a lot more meat.
Phew, what a journey, right? Don’t worry; it was well worth the reading.
Culinary art is called “art” for a good reason – if you want to become a master, you have to digest a lot of new things and spend a lot of time practicing.
I gave you the foundation. And now, it’s your turn. 🙂