Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Summer Grilling Steak Cuts You Can Afford

By K.C. Kudra

If grilling is something you love, but you cannot afford to spend a lot on high-end steaks, you may be feeling like you have to say goodbye to some old favorites. That does not have to be the case, however. If you know a bit about the cuts of beef available, you will understand that you can buy decent steaks that will taste good on the grill and will not break your budget. While they will be a little more difficult to prepare than tenderloin, they can also be totally worthwhile. When steak is a priority, but you do not think you can afford it, take the time to think again.

There are lots of bargains in the meat section at your local supermarket, allowing you to have good steak for only five to seven dollars per pound. These include chuck, top sirloin, flank, flap and skirt steaks, tri tip, flatiron, and hanger steaks. All can be cost effective and great tasting, as long as you know what you are doing.

Remember that these steaks are cheaper for a reason, which means it will take a little more work to make them taste as good as the really expensive cuts. However, it is not all that hard if you take the time to suit the cooking method to the steak. Being a good cook can save you money in the long run.

These steaks are a little tougher in texture because they come from muscles that are actually used by the cattle. This increases chewiness, but also makes them more flavorful than many cuts that are more tender. These cuts have high flavor and low gristle. Choose an intense marinade, do a little careful salting, and keep an eye on the cooking process to keep the meat from overcooking for the best results.

The first thing you should do is take a look at your marinades. These liquid mixtures have a reputation for flavoring and tenderizing meat, but they may not do that as well as you might think. Often, they only soak into the meat a little, and if they are really acidic, they might even tighten up muscle tissues, making your meat tougher. Of course, that does not mean you cannot find a great steak marinade recipe - you just have to know what you are looking for and what to expect.

Even if the effect you get is only skin-deep, your marinade is going to produce an attractive looking, richly colored steak that has a crisp, great tasting crust. Cook budget steaks on a really hot grill for best effect, and make sure they are not cold in the middle when you start cooking. That allows for a more even cooking method.

This means making two zones - one is hotter and allows you to sear the meat, and the other is medium in heat and will cook meat through without burning. On gas grills, just adjust the knobs. For charcoal, bank two thirds of your coals and scatter the rest.

Make sure the grill is clean and you are capable of being patient. You need to cook these cuts of meat undisturbed for two to three minutes if you want them to taste their best. An instant read thermometer will help you know when your meat is ready. Rest the meat when you are finished, to let it keep its juices.

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