Buy Beef Belly: Discover the Best Places to Purchase this Mouthwatering Cut
Key Takeways
- For those of you who are new at cooking with a beef belly, there are a few ways to prepare the meat, but the general rule is to use the heat to melt down the fat.
- You can cook it over an open flame on a grill or smoker, and this method is perfect for tenderizing the meat and adding a smoking flavor.
- If you’re trying to choose between the different types of belly cuts available at your local butcher shop or meat market, consider the meat and fat content ratio in each one.
It’s time to fire up the grill and enjoy some delicious beef belly.
But if you’ve never cooked with a beef belly before or don’t know where to buy it, we’re here to help!
We’ve put together a guide that will walk you through finding the best beef cuts for your next BBQ.
Is there such a thing as beef belly?
We have all heard about pork belly, but what about beef belly? Is there such a thing as beef belly?
Yes! A beef belly is the belly of a cow.
However, it is usually called the navel or plate cut instead of beef belly.
The navel cut is where the brisket attaches to the body.
It’s rippled with seams of fat that, when cooked correctly, transform to golden rendered ribbons that are both lean and full-flavored (with lots of delicious marbling).
How do you cook beef belly meat?
Now that you know what exactly beef belly is.
Let’s see how to make the best dish from this fatty cut.
For those of you who are new at cooking with a beef belly, there are a few ways to prepare the meat, but the general rule is to use the heat to melt down the fat.
You can cook it over an open flame on a grill or smoker, and this method is perfect for tenderizing the meat and adding a smoking flavor.
If you are looking for a more traditional way to cook beef belly, try braising it in liquid over low heat.
This method will help break down the fat and tenderize the meat without drying it out.
How to choose the best beef belly cut?
Beef belly, or beef navel, is a versatile and delicious cut of meat.
However, it doesn’t mean that you can always purchase a good cut on the market.
So what to look for when shopping for a beef belly? Let’s check it out!
Color
Before you decide to buy beef belly, it’s essential to know that color is a good indicator of quality.
The meat should have a deep red color, and the fat should be white—this combination is what produces the most popular cuts.
If the beef has too much fat, it will have an unappealing grayish hue.
Look for beef bellies that are red or pink and free of any discoloration, cuts, or signs of freezer burn.
However, there are other factors that affect how red your cut will look: how it was raised and butchered can change the color of your meat!
In addition, there’s no guarantee that every piece will be exactly like this.
Texture
The texture of your beef belly is important.
When you touch it, it should feel slightly sticky but not slimy.
The fat should be glossy and fresh-looking, not dull or slimy.
You can easily feel the quality of the meat cut by touching the meat with your finger.
Smell
When choosing a beef belly, you want to make sure it’s fresh.
A good way to do this is by smelling it: if the meat has a fresh, clean smell without any ammonia or fishy smells, then it’s likely fresh.
If mold spores are present and visible on the surface of the meat, then that particular cut could also be spoiled.
The ratio of meat and fat
If you’re trying to lose weight, you may want to avoid buying belly cuts.
But if you’re looking for a hearty meal, this cut will satisfy your cravings.
If you’re trying to choose between the different types of belly cuts available at your local butcher shop or meat market, consider the meat and fat content ratio in each one.
Beware of cuts with a lot of fat around the edges—you’ll likely end up with only skin when you’re done cooking.
Moreover, the resulting dish can be too greasy and hard to eat.
Where to buy beef belly?
So what is the best place to go to buy beef belly? Here are some:
A local farmer’s market
A good place to buy beef belly is a local farmer’s market.
You can find one near you by searching on the USDA website or Google.
Look for a market with grass-fed or pasture-raised meats, as these animals are healthier for you and the environment.
Go to a grocery store or butcher
You can find beef belly at a grocery store, butcher shop, or specialty meat shop.
- A grocery store is the easiest place to buy your beef belly.
You will likely find it in the meat section of your local supermarket or big box store.
- The best way to buy beef belly at a butcher shop is by asking for it by name.
Some butchers may have it already prepared for you and ready to go, especially if you tell them ahead of time that you want it cut into steaks! They have a good selection of cuts and usually know the best meat sources.
Butcher shops are also a great place to find high-quality cuts like beef belly, which is often sold by the pound.
A good butcher can recommend how best to prepare your cut of choice and what recipes will work with it.
Supermarket
You can find it in the meat section of your local supermarket.
Look for a cut with a lot of fat and meat, with a good ratio of meat to fat.
If you need help deciding what cut to buy, ask an employee for help.
They may even have some suggestions for you!
If you are still looking for something on display that looks like it would work well in a steak or roast recipe, ask if they have any in the back or if they can order some for you.
Online
The beef navel is a cut of meat that can be bought online.
It’s easy to buy beef belly online because you don’t have to go anywhere to get it.
You can order beef belly from any country, in any size and cut you want, and in any quantity needed.
Many online vendors sell organic, grass-fed meats at reasonable prices (and often with free shipping).
You can find fresh beef online in just about any part of the country, even if you’re not near any farm or ranching area where locally-raised meat is available.
Conclusion
You should now be ready to head out and find some beef belly.
As long as you are looking for a cut labeled “beef navel” or “plate,” you will be able to find it in any supermarket, butcher shop, local market, or online.