You’re already familiar with T-bone steaks and pork ribs—but there’s a whole world of meat cuts out there, and some of the less commonly known cuts are the most flavorful. Here are a few lesser-known cuts of meat you should be cooking.
1. Petit Tender Teres Major
This fancy-sounding name simply refers to a muscle that sits on the shoulder blade of a steer. It requires a great deal of skill to extract, so not every butcher offers it—they need to know what they’re doing. This is one of the most tender beef cuts of meat, it’s much more cost-effective compared to other parts of the steer when comparing tenderness. It is often sliced into medallions or cooked whole.
2. Beef Brisket
Beef brisket is another great option if you’re watching your budget. This cut comes from the breast or lower chest of the steer. It is the cut that you see used in corned beef, as such it takes a long time to cook but it can be quite juicy and is great to smoke during the summer.
3. Flat Iron Steaks
This inexpensive cut comes from the shoulder of a steer and combines the perfect amount of meat with just the right blend of fat. Flat iron steaks come from the same part as chuck steaks but are much more tender. This cut, unlike traditional steaks, does not have a fat cap. It may be slowly roasted, grilled, or braised to create a flavorful main course.
4. Pork Sirloin Chops
Not all pork cuts of meat are created equal. Although all pork chops are taken from the area near the spine, a sirloin pork chop is taken from the hip area of the pig. It’s bursting with flavor and combines several different muscle groups, which means that it’s best cooked using slow, moist heat.
5. Shoulder Lamb Chop
If you’re looking for lamb chops, your best bet might be the shoulder. This is a meaty cut that also contains a lot of connective tissue to provide flavor. Again, this cut works best when cooked slowly, which will allow the tissue to melt and provide rich, moist meat. A shoulder lamb chop also resists overcooking, making it a good choice for people who are inexperienced with preparing lamb. Since shoulder lamb chops are a specialty item, please call ahead to ask if we have them available.
Getting Started
These are just a few of your options if you’re looking for meat that’s economical, tasty, and unique. Here at Skip’s on the Ridge, we want to help you find the perfect cuts of meat for whatever your needs may be. If you have any meat-related questions, contact us today.