What is beef knuckle good for? How can you use it in different recipes? Is beef knuckle good for stew?
Common questions, but still quite confusing, right?
The truth is that most people do not know how they can use a beef knuckle in different recipes.
Beef Knuckle is an exceptionally lean beef cut taken from the area of the cow between the top and bottom round. It is then sliced to facilitate cooking and eating.
Beef knuckle is good for so many things, and is particularly suitable for stew, soups, and even BBQ.
Tip: Be sure to get the beef knuckle sliced in smaller pieces considering what your recipe demands.
What is Beef Knuckle Good For?
While many people ask, “What is a beef knuckle?” others want to know what are different ways to utilize this meat.
Beef knuckle comes from the round primal cut, which you can find in the animal’s hindquarters. It is also called sirloin tip roast, ball tip roast, and French roll roast.
The full beef knuckle weighs around 16lbs or slightly less and can be divided into a variety of smaller portions like minute steaks and kabobs.
How Can You Use a Beef Knuckle?
You can always experiment and try the beef knuckle in many different recipes. But it works great when you are in love with roasts.
Besides roasts, you can use the meat from the same beef knuckle portion in Beef Stroganoff.
Stir-frying can significantly enhance the flavors here.
Similarly, it may also be used to make stew or cubes for the kebob.
If you follow the right instructions, it is surely going to help you make the best stew of your life.
How Can You Cook Beef Knuckle to Perfection?
For so many people, cooking a beef knuckle to perfection is still a mystery.
The truth is that it does not have to be that difficult if you understand the basics.
Here is how to do it:
Step #1: Get it Out of the Refrigerator
You should start by taking the beef knuckle out of the refrigerator.
Spread it out on a paper towel-lined sheet tray and bring it to room temperature.
When cooking thick chunks of meat, it is important to start at room temperature so that it cooks evenly.
Step #2: Set the Oven
Turn the oven temperature up to 325 degrees F. Get the roast wet, and pat it dry using paper towels.
Step #3: Get the Cutting Board
The roast should be set out on a cutting board. Prepare it by brushing it with olive oil and seasoning it with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Step #4: Prepare the Pan
Get a saute pan hot and add two teaspoons of olive oil to it.
Place the roast into the pan with the presentation side down after the oil has shimmered.
Caramelize and brown it to a golden hue by searing it on all sides.
Step #5: Cook in the Oven
Start the oven and throw in the beef knuckle.
Wait for 45 minutes and then check the meat if it is done. You can do it using a probe thermometer and place it into the meat’s thickest portion.
Once the internal temperature hits 155 degrees Fahrenheit, take the roast out of the oven, tent it with foil, and leave it for about 20 minutes.
Keep from slicing or piercing the meat as it rests.
Tip: Be sure to use the biggest stockpot you have to deal with the beef knuckle in the most effective way.
Is Beef Knuckle Good for Stew?
A stew is a dish consisting of solid food components cooked together in a liquid and then served with the resulting gravy.
Considering where the beef knuckle comes from, you can always use it for stew.
It is easy to cut the knuckle into steaks, which are pinned for tenderness.
Is It Healthy to Use Beef Knuckle for Stew?
Yes, it is!
Stew, made with knucklebones, is rich in nutrients that help with immunity, digestion, and brain function.
It contains over 19 bio-available essential and non-essential amino acids, which your body can absorb quickly.
It also provides you with collagen, among other nutrients, which are essential for the health of your connective tissue.
Tip: Do not add too much additional spices and veggies or you will overpower the original flavor of the knuckle.
What are the Finest Beef Cuts for Stew?
While you can always use a beef knuckle for stew, you can also use other cuts.
For instance, the two most common options include the chuck and the bone-in short rib.
Chuck
Consider this your go-to stewing cut. It costs little to acquire and provides excellent results, all while being easily accessible.
The chuck comes from the cow’s front quarter and is a primal cut that features the neck, shoulders and upper arm muscles.
Being inexpensive while still having plenty of flavorful fat and connective tissue makes this a fantastic choice for stews.
Because chuck is composed of several separate muscles, you may wind up with parts that are inconsistent in their fat, tenderness, and toughness.
Bone-In Short Rib
Short ribs are worth the splurge if you value uniformity of chew and flavor.
Contrary to popular belief, short ribs are not taken from the primal rib but rather from the plate primal on the underside of the cow.
They are the ribs’ terminal end, near the belly.
Maybe a bit expensive, but the extra cost is well worth it for the rich beef flavor and gorgeous, even grain.
In addition to these, you can also try other cuts for stew, such as:
- Oxtail
- Bottom sirloin flap
- Cross-cut shanks
- Fatty brisket
Is Beef Knuckle Good for Soups?
Soup is a type of liquid dish typically served hot and is made by blending veggies and meat with milk, stock or water.
One more defining feature of hot soups is the extraction of flavors from solid components by boiling them in liquids to create a broth.
Keeping that definition in mind, you can surely use your beef knuckle for soups.
Why is Beef Knuckle Good for Soups?
The massive knuckle bones are loaded with nutritious cartilage and marrow, which also thicken your soup.
The weight of a knuckle bone is between 4 and 8 pounds.
If you want to throw some meat into your soup pot, you can have the knuckle cut up into manageable chunks.
Tip: Be sure to roast properly if using knuckle bones until caramelized for enhanced flavors.
What Can You Make Using Beef Knuckle?
The options are so many, but you should certainly try some specific recipes to utilize the knuckle.
Beef Knuckle Braised in Wine
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- 3 bay leaves
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1/4pt beef stock
- 1/4lb Pancetta
- 3 large onions
- 1 large knuckle
- 4 garlic cloves
- 4 celery sticks
- 3 large carrots
- 2 bottles of red wine
Instructions
- Take enough olive oil that covers the bottom of a board pan.
- Put beef knuckle into it.
- Repeatedly turn it over towards the end to preserve the natural juices.
- Take the beef out of the pan with a uniform golden color.
- Keep the skillet with olive oil and beef juices on high heat.
- Now, add the veggies, herbs, and pancetta.
- Sweat them off before adding the beef to them.
- Empty both bottles of red wine into the pan and drizzle it over the meat.
- Cover and gradually cook in a medium oven for 5-6 hours.
Beef Knuckle with Junipers
It is a great option to consider when throwing a party and wanting something spectacular to impress your guests.
Ingredients
- 3lbs of beef knuckle
- 2 tbsp each of cloves and juniper berries
- 2 tbsp each of olive oil and mustard
- 1 tbsp of green pepper
- 1.5 tbsp of salt and black pepper
Instructions
Step #1: Mix the Spices
Combine all of the listed spices and puree them into a sauce.
Do not fret if you do not see every juniper being crashed.
Step #2: Sear the Knuckle
Take a skillet and add some butter, olive oil, thyme, and rosemary to it.
Once the oil and butter melt, add the knuckle to the skillet and sear until golden.
Step #3: Cook It
Prepare a pot by preheating it to 140F. Now, apply the spices mix to the knuckle and put it in a sealed pack before placing it in the pot.
Step #4: Give an Ice Bath
Cook the knuckle for about 5 hours, and when done, leave it in ice bath for about half an hour.
Takeaway
Learning to use the beef knuckle in different recipes becomes possible when you know, “What is beef knuckle good for?”
It works amazingly well for pot roasts, but using the right spices, you can make the most delicious stews and soups as well.
Just follow the recipes to the dot and you will get great results – always!