September 29, 2021

Why is cutting beef against the grain important?

Melt in the mouth steaks are hard to ignore on any weekend. If yous are fond of steaks and tin't stop drooling over information technology, you would be surely excited nigh finding interesting facts nigh it. You must have heard time and time again that beef should exist sliced against the grain. But y'all may ask: what does that mean, and why is it of import? For an elaborate answer, let'due south dive deeper into the grain story.

Picture of sliced beef

Why practise I need to cut against the grain?

The simplest answer to quench your thirsty mind is that: cutting the beefiness against the grain makes it more tender and less chewy. The grain of the beef refers to the direction that the muscle fibers lie in the cut of meat. As you may or may not know, these muscle fibers support the animals in their movement, so they can go somewhat tougher than the meat itself. After all, it is key to get your steaks as tender as possible.

Picture of a sliced steak, cooked medium rare

How practise I find the grain of the meat?

To notice the grain, yous have to notice what management the muscle fibers move across the called piece of meat. They announced like long lines that run through your steak. In some pieces of beef, it is much easier to see the fibers running in a particular direction. Therefore, it is easier to identify grain in these cuts. On the other hand, you may have to struggle with leaner cuts like tenderloin.

Finding the grain of the meat may seem similar an easy task, but it takes quite some practise to spot information technology correct away. Information technology's somewhat like 'reading the meat' well. Sometimes, you may notice that some steaks accept fibers running in all directions, especially with ribeye steaks and sirloin steaks. In that case, you'll accept to look a little closer to place which direction the grain of the meat is running. Focus on finding multiple parallel lines of muscle fibers running down the meat. You will and so find the general grain of the beef.

Picture of beef being sliced

How do I cut against the grain of the meat?

In one case yous have plant the grain of the meat, cut the meat properly is the next affair to practice. Rotate the steak xc degrees to get a good bending for slicing. Next, cut vertically to the parallel fibers of the steak. You volition then achieve a perfectly sliced steak that is ready to exist served to your guests.

Illustration on how to find the grain of the beef

What is the event of cutting confronting the grain?

Cutting against the grain ways slicing through the fibers to cut them curt rather than cutting in the aforementioned direction that fibers run. Cut it that fashion makes the meat easier to chew, since the major chore of breaking upwards the fibers has already been done.

Slicing meat parallel to the muscle fibers (or in the same direction every bit the muscle fibers run) leaves chewy meat. Go against the grain and y'all'll take more than tender and delicious meat.

Picture of a sliced steak on a wooden plate

Conclusion

Slicing steaks in a particular fashion determines the event of what'due south presented to your guests. It'south always more than fulfilling to have tender beef rather than chewy steaks. Follow the path against the grain for succulent steaks and salve yourself from chewing the beefiness. While it may take some practice at commencement, you will undoubtedly go a skilled beef cutter after but a few times of trying it. Be sure to start using these tactics immediately at your next dinner party!

Still looking for that perfect steak for your next dinner party? Find your piece here!

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