Have you noticed that ALL beef and cattle commonly receive undue and unwarranted criticism? Maybe you've noticed it yourself while scrolling Facebook or Instagram, watching the mainstream media, or in passing conversations around town. Now, there certainly are truths to claims about the negative environmental impact of cattle and beef being mass-produced fatter and faster at overcrowded industrial, CAFO feedlots. But that is NOT true of all cattle.
If you’ve followed us for long, you know that we’ve been working through some significant challenges that have threatened our ability to continue offering chicken to our customers. That said, we’re not giving up; instead, we plan to double down our efforts with significant investments and new collaborations for 2024 and beyond. This blog post is longer than usual, but because trust and transparency are a high priority to us, I invite you to read along to stay informed. Before diving into the updates, let me first explain the gravity of the challenges that small-scale pastured poultry farmers are up against.
Beef heart is an often overlooked organ meat that’s as rich in health benefits as flavor. It’s packed with protein, immunity-boosting iron, and many other nutrients. It’s also great value for money. Preparing meals with new ingredients can be a bit daunting, but the good news is that cooking beef heart is super simple and very delicious. While it might require extra prep time, it’s well worth it! Our beef is 100% grass-fed with no GMOs, hormones, or antibiotics. So you’re getting high-quality meat that’s healthier, ethically-sourced, and tastes better. The best part is that these recipes help ensure we use as much of the animal as possible, minimizing waste. Keep reading to discover three simple ways to prepare beef heart. Prep time: 30-45 minutes Cook time: 10-15 minutes Servings: 4 What You’ll Need To make these simple beef heart recipes, you’ll need a few ingredients, including our grass-fed and finished beef. It’s more nutritious, richer in flavor, and higher in beneficial omega-3 fatty acids than regular conventionally raised cuts. 1 lb. grass-fed beef heart 3 TBSP oil (Avacado or Extra Virgin Olive) 3 cloves minced garlic 1 large onion Salt and pepper to taste Lemon juice Additional spices like paprika, cumin, or chili powder Instructions For each of the recipes below, you’ll first need to prepare your beef heart and marinate it for maximum tenderness. Then, depending on your time and utensils, you can experiment with one or all of these delicious recipes. How to Prepare Beef Heart The first thing you need to do is to clean and dice it. Here are the steps: Step 1: Rinse the beef heart under cold water. Step 2: Trim away any fat, connective tissue, and valves from the heart. Step 3: Cut the heart into several strips about 1/2 inch thick. Next, you’ll want to marinate your beef heart strips for at least an hour to enhance the meat's flavor. Place the hearts in a bowl or resealable plastic bag and add the juice of half a lemon, minced garlic, a generous few TBSP of olive oil, and salt and pepper. This will give you a simple but tasty marinade–but you can try other combinations too. For an Asian-style meal, you could marinate the strips in sesame oil, soy, honey, and lemon. Or, for a more European dish, you could concoct a marinade of balsamic vinegar, French mustard, garlic, onion, and salt. Now that your meat is tender, try one of the following recipes. Beef Heart Recipe for the Slow Cooker Slow-cooked beef heart is the way to go if you want maximum flavor and minimal effort. This tender, juicy dish is melt-in-the-mouth delicious and easy to make. Simply toss your marinated beef heart strips into the slow cooker and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and oregano. Then, add beef broth or stock and chopped onions, then leave for 4-6 hours, cooking on high. Beef Heart Recipe for the Grill Short on time? Then grilling is the way to go. It also makes an appetizing and unique cookout entrée. After marinating, place your beef heart strips on a hot grill. Cook each side for about 2-3 minutes until the meat has a crisp, brown crust on the edges. Serve medium-rare for a velvety, tender meal. Beef Heart Recipe for the Instant Pot Another great and quick way to cook beef heart is in the Instant Pot. Place the marinated meat strips in the Instant Pot along with a chopped onion and a cup of water. Cook on high pressure for 70 minutes. You’ll have a silky, juicy meal brimming with flavor. Side Dishes to Pair with Beef Heart Beef heart is a versatile meat that complements a variety of cuisines. Here are a few of our favorite side dishes to pair it with for every meal of the day. Breakfast If you like savory breakfasts, try serving beef heart with some of the below combinations: Avocado, sunny-side-up eggs, crispy kale, and baked beans In a breakfast burrito with salsa, cheese and eggs With cream cheese, tomato, and onion in a bagel Lunch Whether you’ve got friends and family over or just want to make a healthy, tasty lunch for one, here are some great lunchtime sides to pair with beef heart: A zesty quinoa salad and sweet potato fries Cabbage slaw, grilled vegetables, and corn on the cob Tenderstem broccoli and steamed brown rice Dinner For a hearty, delectable dinner, we love pairing beef heart with some of the below side dishes: Udon noodles and wok-fried vegetables in a honey soy dressing Buttery mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and beef gravy With flatbreads, tzatziki, a fresh green salad and homemade hummus Expert Tips & Tricks Beef heart is most delicious and tender when served medium-rare, so be mindful of overcooking it—especially on the grill! Once cooked, let the beef heart rest for a few minutes to lock in its natural juices. While beef heart can be intimidating to cook at first, it’s a truly versatile meat. So don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavor combinations. Recipe FAQs What does beef heart taste like? Beef heart has a meaty, tender flavor similar to minute steak. Can you grill beef heart? Absolutely! To grill beef heart, cut it into thin strips and then sear on high heat for four minutes, turning the strips after 2 minutes to cook evenly. What is the best way to cook beef heart for my dog? Boiling is a great way to cook beef heart for dogs. Cut it into small chunks and simmer in water for 30 minutes. Does beef heart need to be tenderized? For melt-in-the-mouth flavor, marinate beef heart in a mixture of oil, an acid (like vinegar, lemon juice, or wine), and seasoning for at least an hour before cooking. Can you grind beef heart into hamburger? Yes! You can use ground beef heart for hamburgers or meatballs. Just beware of overcooking, as beef heart is best-served medium to medium-rare. Ready to Cook? We hope you’re ready to expand your culinary repertoire with beef heart. Order our grass-fed beef heart today. As always, we’d love to know what you think! Let us know if you tried our recipes and how it turned out!You can always substitute for beef heart for bison heart. Explore bison organs in our store. Curious for more? Try our Beef Heart Stew recipe or change the cut and explore these Beef Shank recipes!
Bone-in beef shanks are one of the most underestimated cuts of meat. They’re tender, tasty, succulent, and affordable. You just need to know how to cook them well! First, meat quality is key—no one wants to eat grisly, tough beef shanks. That’s why it’s crucial to choose grass-fed beef. It packs in way more nutrition and flavor. As an added bonus, grass-fed beef shanks like ours are raised using regenerative grazing practices, which is good for the environment. Let’s dive into the recipes! Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 2-3 hours Servings: 4 What You’ll Need 2 lbs grass-fed beef shank bone, diced 1 large onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 carrots, chopped 2 cups beef broth 1 cup red wine 2 tbsp tomato paste 1 tsp dried thyme 1 tsp dried rosemary Salt and pepper to taste Extra virgin olive oil How to Cook Bone-in Beef Shank Beef shank is comforting, hearty, and delicious. Below, we’ll walk you through our favorite three ways to cook it, depending on your time and the utensils you have. Dutch Oven Beef Shank This dish is perfect for cold Autumn afternoons. It’s warming, nourishing, and mouth-wateringly tasty. Season the chopped beef shank with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tbsps of olive oil over medium-high heat in the Dutch oven. Add the beef shank pieces and cook for 4 minutes, or until browned on all sides. Set the shanks aside. Add the chopped onion and carrots to the pot and cook until the onions are browned. Add in the minced garlic and stir for a minute. Stir in the tomato paste, red wine, beef broth, and herbs. Simmer for 3 minutes. Place the beef shank pieces back in the pot, submerging them in the mixture. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 3 hours, until the meat falls off the bone. Serve! Handy tip: Instead of simmering on the stovetop for 3 hours, you can place your Dutch oven in a preheated oven. Cook for 2-3 hours, or until the meat is succulent and tender. Braised Beef Shank If you have a little more time and want to cook a bone-in beef shank that’s even more tender, try this braising recipe. Follow the recipe above until step 5. Pour the mixture into a slow cooker and add the seared beef shanks. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, or until the meat falls off the bone. Smoked Beef Shank Beef shank isn’t just for the winter months! Get out your smoker for a barbecue centerpiece your guests will love. Preheat the smoker to 225°F Season the beef shank with your favorite dry rub. Carefully place the beef shank pieces in the smoker. Cook for 4-6 hours, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 190°F. Rest the meat for 10 minutes for maximum juiciness. Then, serve! Side Dishes to Pair with Beef Shank Beef shank with the bone in is a staple across cuisines for good reason! It’s incredibly versatile—you can pair it with all kinds of sides! Here are some of our favorites: Smoked beef shank tacos with guacamole and spicy rice Braised beef shank stew with creamy mashed potatoes and roasted green beans or carrots Tender beef shank stew with sweet potato and buttered peas Braised beef shank ragu with pappardelle pasta Expert Tips & Tricks For a slightly sweeter dish, add a heaped spoon of honey to the slow cooker when you add the red wine and beef broth. If you prefer a more savory, umami flavor, swap out the honey for a generous splash of Worcester sauce. You can store these dishes in the fridge for up to three days, or in the freezer for 3 months. Source the best quality bones you can. Grass-fed beef bones are more sustainable and increase the nutrition and flavor of your meals. You also ensure what you’re eating is free of antibiotics, hormones, and other chemicals. Recipe FAQs How long does it take to cook beef shank in the oven? It’s best to cook beef shank low and slow in the oven. Leave it to cook on low to medium heat for 2-3 hours, or until the meat falls off the bone. Does beef shank get tender? Yes! Beef shank becomes incredibly tender and juicy when you slow cook it. What is beef shank best for? Beef shank is best for slow-cooked stews and casseroles. You can also cook it in the smoker for a delicious barbecue dish. Is there another name for beef shank? Beef shank has several other names, including beef foreshank, beef Osso Bucco cut, shank meat, and leg boil. However, they all refer to the same thing! Ready to Cook? Try these delicious beef shank recipes with our grass-fed beef shanks. As always, we love to know how your dishes turned out! So please send your photos in and leave your thoughts below. Want more beef recipes? How about our Tender Beef Oxtail Stew recipe?
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On this weekend leading up to the 4th of July I spent time reflecting about what freedom and independence mean for me as a regenerative farmer. First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude for the privilege my family has to produce wholesome food for you right here on U.S. soil. We recognize our freedoms would not be here today without the immense sacrifices from our service men and women, past and present. We are incredibly grateful and vow to continue to act courageously to honor their sacrifices.
