Summer is fast approaching, and that means grilling season will soon be in full swing. But you might not be looking forward to it as much if you struggle with this cooking method. A common complaint when it comes to grilling (or any other cooking method) is that meat easily loses its moisture and flavor. So today, we’re going to explore some cooking methods that help keep meat moist and how you can prevent this issue the next time you’re cooking.
Select Good Quality Meat
To keep a piece of meat moist, you have to select good-quality meats from the start. Look for quality cuts with at least some percentage of fat. Fat helps the meat retain moisture and provides flavor. Try shopping with Vincent’s Meat Market if you are looking for the best-quality meats online or locally sourced meat in the Bronx.
Marinade Process
Marinading meat is another option to help keep it moist and flavorful. Keep in mind that marinades are made of mostly oils, vinegar, and seasoning. Oils are made up of fat, which, once again, helps the meat retain its moisture and juices.
Another option for preparing meat is brining. Brining is the process of submerging non-fatty meats in a salt and water bath. Brining is not necessary on fatty red meats, such as beef, but is a great option for lean meats like chicken breast and fish. The salt-to-water ratio for brining is one cup of salt for every gallon of water. Try a brining recipe the next time you cook up leaner meat for some extra moisture.
Cooking Methods
Finally, the way you cook a piece of meat will significantly influence its moisture levels. You need to know whether your planned cooking method uses dry heat cooking or moist heat cooking.
Dry heat cooking methods: Frying, grilling, baking, broiling, searing, roasting, etc. These techniques involve transferring heat through fat, like the oils in a marinade.
Moist heat cooking methods: Poaching, boiling, simmering, braising, stewing, etc. These techniques all involve using liquid or steam to transfer heat and cook your food.
As long as you follow the proper instructions from your recipe and use the proper cooking method per cut of meat, you will have a perfectly moist and flavorful meal at the end of the process. Just make sure not to overcook your food with either method.
We hope these cooking methods that help keep meat moist help you with your next recipe. Follow these processes for meat buying, preparing, and cooking to produce delicious, moist, and flavorful results every time.
