Are you intimidated by Wagyu beef? It’s understandable. You’ve probably heard about its luxuriant mouth feel, delectable texture, and high percentage of healthy fats, but you also know it’s expensive. What if you invest in this spectacular meat and then ruin it? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Follow these five tips and you’ll be able to cook Wagyu beef like a master chef.
- Choose your Wagyu wisely. Picking the right Wagyu steak is crucial to your enjoyment of the beef. Will you choose a standard filet or ribeye, or something a little unusual, like kebab, flank steak, English roast, flat iron, chuck steak, or teres major? You can’t really go wrong, but the choice you make will dictate how you cook it.
- Store your beef with care. When you order Wagyu online, it will arrive either completely or partially frozen, protected by vacuum-sealed packaging. Quickly put it in the freezer, unless you’re ready to use it right away. Any exposure to air can cause freezer burn, and that would ruin your Wagyu.
- Give the thaw some time. Wagyu beef should thaw from frozen for six hours for every pound of meat. Once it’s thawed, cook your Wagyu right away to make the most of their decadent flavor. About 30 minutes before you want to cook them, pull them out of the refrigerator so that they’ll have time to reach room temperature. This will help them to cook more evenly by bringing them closer to their eventual temperature.
- Ease up on the seasoning. Wagyu is extremely flavorful, and requires no more than a bit of salt and pepper to make a delicious meal. If you’d like to use your favorite steak seasoning, do it with a light touch so you don’t overwhelm the flavor that Wagyu is already bringing to the table. Such an exquisite piece of meat needs no sauces or marinades to make it perfect.
- Say no to well-done Wagyu. You can toss your Wagyu on the grill or pan-fry it in seasoned cast iron, but what you should never do is overcook it. The buttery sweetness of Wagyu is best enjoyed when the meat is cooked no further than medium-rare. If this is your first time cooking Wagyu, we recommend starting with the cast iron method, following these steps:
- Preheat the skillet over high heat.
- Cut off a little bit of fat from the edges of your Wagyu to lightly grease the hot pan or, if you prefer, try a little bit of butter or olive oil.
- Sear on each side: three minutes per side for rare, four minutes per side for medium-rare.
- Use the touch test if you’re familiar with it, to check for doneness. If you’d rather use a meat thermometer, don’t go past an internal temperature of 130°F.
- Remove the steaks from the heat and, as difficult as this may seem, let them rest for five to ten minutes before enjoying them.
For top-quality American Wagyu Beef, you can trust Triple T Ranch. Located in south Alabama, our small, family-owned-and-operated ranch is a place where practicing proven husbandry techniques ensures the health and prosperity of the herd. Our cattle are well cared-for and registered through the American Wagyu Association. Call (251)333-2800 or contact us through our website for more information.