What are the best methods of cooking meat?

Well, I think it really depends on the situation. What are you cooking? Is it a small steak, a big turkey, or a awesome rack of ribs? Is it lean or fatty or is it a middle meat or an end meat.

Different types of meat and different sizes require different methods and cooking times. I work in a meat department right now and I previously worked in the seafood department.

I have a culinary degree and I spent 17 years in the restaurant industry. So I have a lot of experience when it comes to cooking.

So, let's talk about the best methods of cooking meat from the ends of the animal. It is essentially the same for beef, pork, and lamb. Basically, you have what we call middle meats or end meats.

You have your primals, such as strip loins, ribeye lip-ons and exports, chuck rolls, shoulder clods, and many others. Some come from the ends of the animal, like you legs and shoulders for example.

Some come from the middle of the animal, like the ribeye and the strip loins. Now your end meats will take longer to cook than your middle meats.

Why do some meats take longer to cook than others?

The best methods of cooking meat from the ends are slow cooking methods. What happens is, the animal uses those parts of it's body a lot.

When the animal walks it causes friction in the joints and also causes the muscle to become tougher. So, you have to slowly breakdown those fibers in the proteins.

Baking, crock-pot, braising, simmering, and smoking on low temperatures are the best methods of cooking meat that are tough like the end meats. Remember to always sear meats before you braise, simmer, or crock-pot them.

Now, the ever so loved middle meats. The best methods of cooking meat like strips, ribeyes, and the famous fillet are quick cooking methods. Sauteing, grilling, pan searing, and frying are ways you can do it.

They are a lot easier for most people and less time consuming. You do have to be a bit more careful with these types of meats though. I love to eat my meats medium rare, but I definitely recommend not cooking over medium.

The meat becomes tougher and drier. The leaner it is the faster it will cook as well. Then there is the next issue of meat being grass fed or grain fed. That's another topic I will write about in the future.

I just want you to understand the cooking methods for the types of meats first. I hope this was helpful and look for more articles around this topic soon.

Thanks!