We’re having a "swap meat!"
No, we’re not getting rid of dusty antiques and forgotten-about clothes; Shoprite’s meat and seafood director, Ray Venezia, is here to show us how to get the flavors we love in the meat department for less!
Everyone knows beef can be pricey, but Ray has a few budget-friendly cuts that can cost half as much and taste just as good as these three expensive, popular cuts.
IF YOU LIKE FILET MIGNON, TRY…
The petite tender
TRY IT: Petite Filet Stroganoff
Everyone loves filet mignon. But the price: EEK! The petite tender is half the price with ALL of the flavor. It comes from the chuck section, but unlike your typical chuck meat, the petite tender is soft and tender.
“Years ago, we just used to use this piece for stew,” explains Ray. “But it has the same softness as the filet mignon.”
IF YOU LIKE FLANK, SKIRT, OR HANGER STEAK, TRY…
Beef flap meat
Hanger and flank steak has seen huge surges in popularity recently, and with that popularity, the price always went way up, says Ray. Instead, try this cut from the bottom sirloin of the cow. “It’s really not a new cut,” say Ray. “It’s a forgotten about piece of meat.”
Beef flap has a rich yet light flavor that makes it perfect for marinating. Curtis loves slicing it and using it for fajitas.
IF YOU LIKE SHORT RIBS, TRY…
Beef hind shank
If you’ve ever had a pricey osso bucco at a restaurant, you’ve had this exact cut. “A lot of people don’t realize that the beef hind shank can react the same way as short ribs,” explains Ray. The meat itself might not be as rich, but the hind shank has the largest marrow center all of the bones, so you’ll be rewarding with a rich, luxurious sauce!
