Are you tired of the same old beef roasts for Sunday dinner? Why not switch it up and try cooking a salmon cut beef in your slow cooker?
This lean and flavorful cut of beef is perfect for slow cooking, as the long cooking times break down the meat and create a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Plus, it’s an affordable option for feeding a crowd.
In this article, we’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions on how to prepare and cook salmon cut beef in your slow cooker, along with tips for making a delicious gravy to accompany it.
Get ready to impress your family and friends with this new twist on a classic Sunday roast.
How To Cook Salmon Cut Beef In A Slow Cooker?
Step 1: Choose Your Cut of Salmon Beef
The first step in cooking salmon cut beef in a slow cooker is to choose your cut of meat. Look for a salmon cut beef roast at your local grocery store or butcher. This cut comes from the shoulder of the cow and is known for its rich flavor and tenderness.
Step 2: Season Your Beef
Once you have your salmon cut beef, pat it dry with paper towels and season it generously with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings, such as garlic powder or rosemary, to enhance the flavor.
Step 3: Sear Your Beef
To add even more flavor to your salmon cut beef, sear it in a hot skillet before placing it in the slow cooker. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over high heat and sear the beef on all sides until browned.
Step 4: Add Vegetables and Liquid
After searing the beef, place it in the slow cooker and add chopped vegetables such as onions, carrots, and celery. Pour in enough liquid, such as beef broth or red wine, to cover the bottom of the slow cooker.
Step 5: Slow Cook Your Beef
Set your slow cooker to low heat and cook the salmon cut beef for 6-8 hours or until it is tender and falls apart easily with a fork. If you’re short on time, you can also cook it on high heat for 3-4 hours.
Step 6: Make Gravy
Once your salmon cut beef is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and set it aside to rest. Strain the liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan and bring it to a boil. In a separate bowl, mix together cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Slowly whisk the slurry into the boiling liquid until it thickens into a gravy.
Step 7: Serve Your Salmon Cut Beef
Slice your salmon cut beef against the grain and serve it with your homemade gravy. This dish pairs well with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.
Choosing The Right Cut Of Salmon Beef For Slow Cooking
When it comes to slow cooking salmon cut beef, choosing the right cut of meat is crucial for achieving tender and flavorful results. The salmon cut comes from the shoulder of the cow and is known for its rich flavor and tenderness, making it an excellent choice for slow cooking.
Other cuts of beef such as rump, round, and loin are too lean for slow cooking and shredding. Instead, look for tough, budget-friendly cuts with enough fat to render the meat fork-tender. The best beef cuts for slow cooking and shredding are brisket, chuck, and arm chuck. These cuts have lots of marbling and fat around them, which will break down during the slow cooking process to create a rich, savory flavor.
When selecting your salmon cut beef, make sure to choose a piece with plenty of marbling and fat. This will ensure that the meat stays moist and tender during the long cooking process. If you’re unsure which cut to choose, ask your local butcher for recommendations.
Preparing The Salmon Cut Beef For The Slow Cooker
Preparing salmon cut beef for the slow cooker is an important step to ensure that the meat cooks evenly and retains its flavor. Here are some tips to follow:
Step 1: Remove the Beef from Packaging and Bring to Room Temperature
After removing the salmon cut beef from its packaging, pat it dry with paper towels and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This will help it cook evenly.
Step 2: Preheat Your Oven and Choose a Roasting Tray
Preheat your oven to 200°C for fan-assisted or 215°C for ovens without a fan. Choose a large, heavy-based roasting tray with deep sides and handles for easy movement.
Step 3: Massage Fat and Seasoning into the Beef
Massage a little goose or duck fat into the salmon cut beef if it doesn’t have a generous coating of fat, then season it with good quality fine sea salt just prior to cooking.
Step 4: Make a Trivet
Roughly chop equal amounts of onion, carrot, and celery (or celeriac) plus a bay leaf, sprig of thyme, and a few black peppercorns. Place them in the roasting tray to create a trivet.
Step 5: Place the Beef on the Trivet
Place the salmon cut beef fat side up onto the trivet which should line the base of the tray.
Step 6: Roast in the Oven
Place the roasting tray in the center of the oven and roast for 20 minutes at 200°C (215°C for ovens without a fan), then reduce the temperature to 170°C for fan-assisted or 180°C for ovens without a fan. Continue roasting for 20 minutes per 500g reaching a core temperature of minimum 58°C for a medium-rare roast.
Step 7: Rest and Carve
Remove the salmon cut beef from the oven, put it onto a clean tray, and cover it with a sheet of tin foil. Rest it for a minimum of 20 minutes before carving, leaving the roasted vegetables in the tray for the gravy.
Step 8: Make Gravy
For the gravy, make up 500ml of beef stock, then deglaze the roasting tray with this stock stirring in all the caramelized juices from the tray. Next, pass through a fine sieve pushing all the juices from the vegetables into a clean saucepan. Bring to a simmer and thicken if required by whisking in a teaspoon of cornflour mixed with a little cold water and reduce until it becomes a rich, glossy gravy.
By following these steps, you can prepare your salmon cut beef for slow cooking in a way that maximizes its flavor and tenderness.
Seasoning And Flavoring Options For Salmon Cut Beef
Salmon cut beef is a versatile cut of meat that can be seasoned and flavored in a variety of ways to suit your taste preferences. Here are some seasoning and flavoring options to consider when cooking salmon cut beef in a slow cooker:
1. Classic Seasoning: Keep it simple with a classic seasoning of salt, pepper, and garlic powder. This will enhance the natural flavor of the beef without overpowering it.
2. Italian Seasoning: Give your salmon cut beef an Italian twist by seasoning it with a blend of rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. You can also marinate the beef in Italian dressing for a tangy twist on the classic dish.
3. Smoky Seasoning: For a smoky flavor, use smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, celery seed, cumin, allspice, and salt to create a spice blend that will add depth and complexity to your salmon cut beef.
4. Asian Seasoning: Add an Asian twist to your salmon cut beef by seasoning it with a blend of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil. This will give your dish a tangy and slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with rice or noodles.
5. Spicy Seasoning: If you like your food with a kick, add some heat to your salmon cut beef by using chili powder or red pepper flakes. You can also add some cayenne pepper for an extra punch of heat.
No matter which seasoning or flavoring option you choose, be sure to season the beef generously before cooking it in the slow cooker. This will ensure that the flavors are infused into the meat and that it is deliciously tender and flavorful when it’s time to serve.
Slow Cooking The Salmon Cut Beef To Perfection
Slow cooking salmon cut beef is a great way to achieve tender and flavorful meat. Here are some tips to help you cook your salmon cut beef to perfection in a slow cooker:
Step 1: Allow Your Beef To Come To Room Temperature
Before cooking, take your salmon cut beef out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This will help it cook more evenly.
Step 2: Brown Your Beef
To enhance the flavor of your salmon cut beef, brown it in a hot skillet before placing it in the slow cooker. This will also help to seal in the juices and keep the meat tender.
Step 3: Deglaze The Pan
After browning the beef, deglaze the pan by adding a liquid such as white wine, red wine or beef stock. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This will add more flavor to your dish.
Step 4: Add Vegetables And Liquid
Once you have deglazed the pan, add chopped vegetables such as onions, carrots, and celery to the slow cooker. Pour in enough liquid, such as beef broth or red wine, to cover the bottom of the slow cooker. This will help to keep your salmon cut beef moist while it cooks.
Step 5: Cook On Low Heat
Set your slow cooker to low heat and cook the salmon cut beef for 6-8 hours or until it is tender and falls apart easily with a fork. Cooking on low heat for a longer period of time will help to break down the connective tissue in the meat and make it more tender.
Step 6: Check For Doneness
Check your salmon cut beef for doneness using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach at least 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare and up to 160°F (71°C) for well-done.
Step 7: Rest Your Beef
Once your salmon cut beef is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and make it more tender.
By following these steps, you can slow cook your salmon cut beef to perfection in a slow cooker. Enjoy!
Making A Delicious Gravy To Accompany The Salmon Cut Beef
Making a delicious gravy to accompany your salmon cut beef is the perfect finishing touch to this slow-cooked dish. To create a rich and flavorful gravy, start by straining the liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan. Bring it to a boil and let it reduce for a few minutes to intensify the flavor.
In a separate bowl, mix together cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Slowly whisk the slurry into the boiling liquid until it thickens into a gravy. You can adjust the thickness of the gravy by adding more or less cornstarch slurry.
To add even more depth of flavor, you can also add some herbs or spices to the gravy. Rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves are all great options. You can also add some red wine or beef broth for added richness.
Once your gravy is ready, slice your salmon cut beef against the grain and serve it with your homemade gravy. This dish pairs well with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions And Leftover Ideas For Salmon Cut Beef
If you have leftover salmon cut beef, there are plenty of ways to repurpose it into new and delicious meals. Here are some serving suggestions and leftover ideas:
1. Beef Stroganoff: Use your leftover salmon cut beef to make a classic beef stroganoff. Simply sauté onions and mushrooms, add some beef broth and sour cream, and mix in your leftover beef. Serve over egg noodles for a hearty and comforting meal.
2. Beef Tacos: Shred your leftover salmon cut beef and use it to make delicious tacos. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado slices, and a dollop of sour cream for a quick and easy meal.
3. Beef Fried Rice: Chop up your leftover salmon cut beef and add it to fried rice for an easy and flavorful meal. You can also add in any other leftover vegetables or proteins you have on hand for a more substantial dish.
4. Beef Shepherd’s Pie: Layer your leftover salmon cut beef with mashed potatoes and vegetables to make a delicious shepherd’s pie. Bake in the oven until the top is golden brown and crispy.
5. Beef Salad: Slice your leftover salmon cut beef thinly and use it as a protein source in a salad. Top with your favorite veggies, nuts, and dressing for a healthy and satisfying meal.
No matter how you choose to serve your salmon cut beef, it’s sure to be a hit with family and friends. With these ideas, you can transform your leftovers into new and exciting meals that everyone will love.