What’s Your Beef?

With the weather starting to perk up, many hungry households are already thinking about dusting off their BBQs and getting cooking. Before you rush to the supermarket and buy the standard pre-made frozen burgers and sausages that are readily available, have a read through these beef ideas and instead drop by your local butcher's. Whether you want flavour, tenderness, a meat fest or versatility, there's a cut of beef for you…

Rib
There are variations in different cuts from the rib section of a cow, and it's easy to get confused. The 'rib-eye' is well known for being exceptionally tender and flavoursome. Other cuts that are cheaper pack the some powerful taste, but can be much less tender. So, unless it's a rib-eye, which can still be very tender even when cooked medium, it's worth cooking rib cuts for only a few minutes on each side to keep them rare and tender. With fantastic depth in flavour, these cuts are great for a barbecue.
Verdict: The Most Flavoursome

Sirloin
A great choice for a steak that can be thrown on the BBQ and retain more tenderness than the rib. But what the sirloin makes up for in tenderness, it slightly lacks in flavour, and to make the most of your steaks, you may wish to make a quick rub or marinade, or at least serve it with a relish or sauce. Spicy Cajun flavours and barbecue sauce both work excellently. Another top-draw BBQ steak that will please the masses.
Verdict: The Most Tender

Rump
A larger steak that holds plenty of juicy meat flavours, particularly when you have a rump with accompanying fat. This steak requires a little bit more care than simply throwing it on the BBQ, and it takes a little longer to cook. It is best to put it on a slightly lower heat and cook it more slowly, but of course, overcooking will make it very tough. A possibility is to cook it in the oven first and then throw it on for that magical charcoal taste you only get from barbeques.
Verdict: The Meatiest

Mince
Mince is great because you can shape it to form whatever you want – kebabs, burgers and sausages are just some of the many possibilities available with minced beef. By adding herbs, spices, flavourings and even fruit, you can come up with some fantastic and original treats for the barbecue. How about trying a bit of apple or mint in burgers, or some fresh chilli and coriander in kebabs? If you're feeling creative, then mince is for you and your gas barbecue grill.
Verdict: The Most Versatile


Photo source Stefano A