If you desire to impress any guests, family, or friends with your cooking skills—or are simply a beef-connoisseur desiring to try out the world-renowned Wagyu beef for yourself—you’ve come to the right place. It’s time to dive into the beautiful world of Wagyu. There’s no sensational meat just like it.
Wagyu offers much more in taste and texture than any other kind of beef. Due to its intense, rich, signature marbling, full-blood Wagyu beef is prized for its tender cut that is delectable with each mouthful. Wagyu is also a show-stopper for its unique essence of deliciousness: a seriously-savory umami taste.
When you’re cooking with Wagyu, don’t overthink the process. Think about it like you would when cooking a familiar or favorite dish. Be mindful of seasonings and side pairings. Keep your eye closely on temperature and time. If you’re looking for more advice, we’ve compiled a few noteworthy suggestions. Without further ado, here are the top Wagyu beef cooking tips and tricks to keep in mind.
The Baseline Process
Cooking beef is not exactly rocket science. Nevertheless, it takes a bit of know-how to make restaurant-worthy quality right in the comfort of your own kitchen. Don’t let your inexperience with Wagyu belie your past culinary experiences. Find a balance between overconfidence and incessant worry. The standard process is relatively simple: season, sear, and serve. You don’t want to mess up your one-of-a-kind dining experience.
If you’re new to the game of cooking with this exquisite meat, never fear. Wagyu is truly much easier to cook with than people tend to think. Due to its prized DNA, this beef can be accidentally overcooked without becoming too tough, firm, or dried out. Since the fat marbling found within it can melt at a lower temperature, a consumer can taste the savory fat much sooner than other beef. All it really takes is a bit of preparation, heating, and sizzling.
The Fundamentals of Handling
Yes, this meat does come at a higher price tag than traditional supermarket cuts. Common sense dictates that when you purchase it, you are notably obligated to take care of cooking it well. Don’t be intimidated by the opportunity that is granted to you. Cooking Wagyu at home with your own hands is the best way to enjoy all this beef has to offer—especially when it comes to its incredibly insane marbling.
When cooking Wagyu, there are a few fundamentals to first be aware of when handling the meat. Firstly, no matter how or in what form you choose to cook up the meat, be sure to season the entire surface with simple seasonings to soak in. You can expect a more flavorful end result when you season the edges and sides of the meat with salt and pepper to start. This is definitely one of the top Wagyu beef cooking tips and tricks.
Secondly, focus on the searing process. Don’t sear the meat with oil. Wagyu’s fat content provides enough natural flavor if using a trimming to grease the pan. Last but certainly not least, always allow the meat to fully thaw out and reach the ideal room temperature before cooking. We’ll address this next.
Prep: How To Store Wagyu Prior To Cooking
Before proper cooking technique comes proper storing technique. Knowledge of the storing process is just as critical as the entire cooking process. Nobody desires freezer-burnt, sinewy meat. Wagyu beef is meant to be tender to the touch, so be sure to store it correctly to maintain optimum freshness. If you’ve ordered your meat online, then it should have come frozen, or at least partially-frozen.
You can either choose to thaw the beef out in your refrigerator or refreeze the beef in their sealed-packaged bags (in order to save them for a special occasion on another day). When you thaw the meat, leave the cuts in their sealed packages and allow hours of thaw time based on the pounds purchased. Once the beef is thawed, leave it outside the fridge for about an hour prior to seasoning and cooking.
How To Cook Wagyu Steak
The most popular way to consume Wagyu is in steak form. Now that you have a cut of one of the best prime steaks on the planet, you need to know how to prepare it to its utmost perfection. There are generally several acceptable methods utilized to cook up Wagyu steak. You may already have a regularly favored method for cooking steaks, but it’s recommended to consider various options. A majority of people prefer to cook it at high heat in a pan—a grill is not the traditional way to go, unless it’s in a pan over the grill.
Stick to a worthy pan on the stovetop. While cast iron pans work well, stainless or carbon steel may be preferable for Wagyu steak, as they are more responsive. As steel plans heat up or cool down quicker, the temperature can be better controlled. Always start on direct heat to create a nice crust, flipping the steaks often until it forms. Flipping every 20 seconds or so allows for a margin of error in case the temperature needs adjusting.
After the crust has formed, move the steak away from direct heat to finish cooking it at a lower temp. By checking the meat for an internal temperature with a thermometer, you can ensure it’s done the way you like it. The most critical part is resting; typically, up to ten minutes will suffice. The majority of Wagyu steaks are thin, so resting grants the meat some relaxation time to truly soak in and hold onto the juice and fat. Then, it’s finally ready to serve.
Where To Find Quality Wagyu To Cook
Wagyu steak is not the sole cut of Wagyu beef worth trying. Wagyu roasts, patties, sausages, and other cuts are perfect for a savory dinner that can surpass even the fanciest restaurants.
If you’re on the hunt for the highest-quality Wagyu beef for sale online, you’ve found the right cattle ranch. Here at Lone Mountain Wagyu, we truly encourage people to eat life to the fullest. Our Wagyu products can be mail-ordered right to your front door. From packages of fresh-cut steaks to singular roasts to quarter pounders, we’ve got all your favorite cuts of full-blood Wagyu beef to cook yourself. Browse through our available selections today.
