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Recipes Cooking With Beef Food Safety Land of Lean Beef Newsroom Newsletter
Beef Basics Getting Ready to Cook Cooking Lessons Q&A
1
Basic Cookware
Preparation Tips
Marinades & Rubs
Cooking Methods
Cooking Times
Carving Tips
Beef Flavor Pairings
 

What Kind of Marinade or Rub Should I Use?

  Marinades
A marinade is a seasoned liquid mixture that adds flavor and, in some cases, tenderizes. Marinades are commonly used with thin cuts, such as steaks.
     A flavoring marinade is used with tender beef cuts for a
      short time — 15 minutes to 2 hours.

     A tenderizing marinade is used with less tender beef
      cuts - usually from the chuck, round, flank and skirt.

     A tenderizing marinade contains a food acid or a tenderizing
      enzyme.

       Acidic ingredients include lemon or lime juice,
        vinegar, Italian dressing, salsa, yogurt and wine.

       Tenderizing enzymes are present in fresh ginger,
        pineapple, papaya, kiwi and figs.

       Less tender steaks should be marinated at least
        6 hours, but no more than 24 hours. Marinating
        longer than 24 hours will result in a mushy texture.

       Tenderizing marinades penetrate about 1/4 inch into
        the meat.

     Marinate in a food-safe plastic bag or a non-reactive glass
      or stainless steel container.

     Turn steaks or stir beef strips occasionally to allow
      even exposure to the marinade.

     Allow 1/4 to 1/2 cup of marinade for each 1 to 2 pounds of beef.

     ALWAYS marinate in the refrigerator, NEVER at
      room temperature.

     If a marinade will also be used later for basting, or served
      as a sauce, reserve a portion of it before adding the raw
      beef. Marinade that has been in contact with uncooked meat
      MUST be brought to a full rolling boil before it can be
      used as a sauce.

     NEVER save and reuse a marinade.

  Rubs
A rub is a mixture of seasonings pressed onto the surface of meat before cooking. Rubs are commonly used on roasts, steaks and ground beef patties.
     Dry rubs consist of herbs, spices and other dry seasonings.

     Paste-type rubs are dry seasonings held together with
      small amounts of wet ingredients, such as oil, crushed
      garlic, mustard, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce
      and horseradish.

     Rubs add flavor and in some cases seal in juices and form
      a delicious crust.

     Rubs can be applied just before cooking. For more
      pronounced flavor, apply rub and refrigerate for
      several hours.
 

Learn More About Adding Flavor…Marinating Magic and Rubs that Reign - Watch the Video

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