When it comes to buying beef, many home cooks feel unsure about which cut is right for their recipe. With so many names and types out there, it can be confusing to know what to choose. Whether you’re planning a Sunday roast, a slow-cooked stew, or a quick midweek meal, this guide will walk you through the best beef cuts in the UK, how to use them, and what to look for when shopping.
Why Not All Beef Cuts Are the Same
Different cuts of beef come from different parts of the animal and vary in tenderness, flavour, and fat content. Some are perfect for quick frying, while others benefit from slow, gentle cooking to bring out their richness. Knowing the difference helps you cook with confidence, reduce waste, and make the most of your budget.
Popular UK Beef Cuts & When to Use Them
Topside
A lean, boneless cut from the hindquarter. Best for roasting, especially when cooked as a medium joint and sliced thinly. Topside is great for Sunday dinners or cold cuts for sandwiches. The topside cut also contains what is known as the corner cut, a more tender piece which is located on the topside corner.
Silverside
Comes from the same area as topside but is slightly tougher. It has a silver skin membrane (hence the name) that benefits from low and slow cooking. Best for pot roasts, boiling, or making corned beef.
Ribeye
A marbled cut from the rib section with rich flavour and tenderness. Ideal as a steak for frying or grilling or as a joint for a Sunday roast. Perfect for steak night – just season well and cook to your preferred doneness.
Shin
Full of connective tissue that breaks down during long, slow cooking. This makes shin ideal for stews, casseroles, and rich, warming meals.
Skirt
A flat, flavourful cut from the underside of the cow. Skirt needs marinating and quick, hot cooking. Brilliant for fajitas, stir-fries, or slicing into salads.
Brisket
From the breast area, brisket is a tougher cut with lots of flavour. Best slow-cooked – think pulled beef, pot roasts, or slow cooker specials.
Sirloin
Tender, slightly leaner than ribeye but still flavourful. Ideal as a steak for frying or grilling. A great all-round steak cut. Alternatively you could use as a roasting joint as a special treat.
Rump
Slightly firmer than sirloin but still great for steaks and grilling. Also works well sliced into stir-fries or as a roasting joint.
Fillet
The most tender and premium cut, fillet is lean with a fine texture. Ideal for quick cooking as rare to medium-rare steaks or as an indulgent joint – perfect for Beef Wellington or a simple roast
Cooking Methods – What to Use When
- Roasting: Topside, Silverside, Rib of Beef, Ribeye Joint, Sirloin Joint, Rump Joint, Fillet Joint
- Slow Cooking: Shin, Brisket, Silverside
- Grilling/Frying: Ribeye Steak, Sirloin Steak, Rump Steak, Fillet Steak
- Stir-frying: Skirt, Rump
Butcher Tips from Evans Family Foods
- Storage: Keep beef in the fridge and use within 2–3 days, or freeze if you’re not using it straight away. Let it come to room temperature before cooking for even results.
- Preparation: For leaner cuts like topside or silverside, consider basting or using a meat thermometer to avoid drying out.
- Cooking: Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying steaks – you want that beautiful sear. For slow cooks, brown the meat first for deeper flavour.
Unsure what to cook? Let us know your meal plans and we’ll recommend the perfect cut.
Why Quality Matters
Supermarket beef is often mass-produced, wet-aged, and lacks the depth of flavour you get from traditionally reared meat. At Evans Family Foods, our beef is locally sourced, hand-prepared, and hung for flavour and tenderness. We can advise you on the right cut for your dish – whether you’re feeding a crowd or cooking for one.
Visit Your Local Butcher – We’re Here to Help
Need a hand choosing the right cut? Just pop in and ask. Wayne and Ashley are always happy to guide you, recommend recipes, or prepare cuts to suit your meal. And if you’re shopping online, you’ll find helpful descriptions and bundle options that make meal planning easy.
Support local, cook confidently, and eat well.
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