Cooking beef chuck does not have to be a difficult task as long as the properties of this particular cut of meat are understood by those cooking it. Beef chuck comes from the shoulder of the cow, which is an area that is used often by the animal and, therefore, has a lot of muscle mass. Those cooking beef chuck successfully understand the importance of using ways to reduce the toughness of the meat as well as adding a lot of flavor. Beef chuck can also be ground to make items such as hamburgers and sausage.
Since this cut of meat is relatively tough, it is important when cooking beef chuck to prepare it correctly beforehand. Slow cooking is a process that tenderizes meat through the use of low heat and liquids, which helps to dissolve fat and create meat that can be easily pulled apart. This can be done in a slow cooker or in an oven on a lower heat setting. Liquid should be introduced into the mixture, such as wine, juice, stock or water, to tenderize the tough tissues. The piece of beef chuck is generally almost covered with liquid during the cooking process, which helps dissolve tough fats and muscle tissue.
Before placing the beef chuck in the slow cooker or oven, it is necessary to season it. Liquids will add some flavor as well as spice mixtures, herbs, vegetables and fruits. Barbecue sauce adds a flavor element for those interested in a finished dish of barbecue beef. Salt and pepper are good additions to the mixture as the beef can be slightly bland without these ubiquitous spices. Cooking beef chuck can also be done through roasting the meat without liquids and with herbs and spices, but this might result in a less tender piece of meat. Pieces can be cut up, skewered, marinated and placed on the grill for kebabs.
When cooking beef chuck, the meat is sometimes ground into small pieces using a meat grinder. This can be done at the store or at home with a meat grinder. Spices, seasonings and other ingredients can be added to the ground beef chuck to create hamburger patties, sausage mixtures for stuffing cases and meatballs. Grinding the meat helps to tenderize it without a lot of work so it can be grilled or sauteed without being overly tough upon completion. The meat can also be pounded using a meat tenderizer before being cooked.