The Farmer Boys now deliver grass-fed grain-finished beef to all of your favorite local grocers and restaurants. Locally raised and locally harvested, Farmer Boy Beef is uniquely delicious and flavorful. Given the nature of the diet we feed our cattle, you may be wondering how to best cook up and serve our products. We’re here to help!
Grass-fed grain-finished 101
Before we get cooking, here’s a simple explanation of what grain-finished beef actually means. It may seem like each year more and more labels pop up at your local grocery store. Naturally-raised, organic, grain-fed, grass-fed, etc. Ah, what’s the difference between them?!
Well, here at Farmer Boy, 30-45 days before our cattle are processed, they’re moved onto barley (homegrown by the farmer boys, of course!) to add that perfect finish. We believe our grain-finish process adds a layer of fat which enhances the overall marbling and provides an extra flavor and overall juiciness to the beef.
While “grain-fed” cows are said to produce less healthy cuts of beef, we find that having the mix of grass-fed grain-finished provides the best of both worlds for our customers. The reason we grain-finish our steaks is to add the marbling and tenderness our customers love. Of course, this also affects the way in which our steaks should be prepared.
Don’t overcook it!
Because our beef is grain-finished and not grain-fed, our products have less overall fat and water content. The key here is to not overcook your steak! In fact, with our steaks, rare to medium-rare is ideal.
No one wants to bite into a dry, overcooked cut of meat. To prevent this, just remember that leaner cuts of meat require lower cooking temperatures and shorter cooking times.
When it comes to marinades, they can actually overwhelm the more mellow flavor of a grass-fed, grain-finished beef steak. While we love a good teriyaki marinade, you may find your steak turns out better when you keep it dry during the cooking process.
Keep the seasoning simple
Use a simple seasoning of coarse sea salt, pepper, and your favorite dried spices. For the best flavor profile, leave this rub on the steak overnight in the fridge. When you’re ready, this steak will sear and brown much better than a marinated steak.
TIP: Make sure you take your Farmer Boy Beef out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature before you start cooking it!
Looking for a super simple recipe? Check this one out by Edible Nashville:
Let steak stand in the refrigerator uncovered 1-2 days. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before cooking.
Preheat your oven to 300°F. Sprinkle salt and pepper on your Farmer Boy steak. Place the steak in the oven for 20 minutes.
Remove from the oven and skillet. Heat oil and butter in a skillet until hot. Add steak and sear 1-2 minutes on both sides. Remove steak and let it rest for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, add chopped garlic and fresh thyme to a skillet. Cook for just a minute, adding juices from the steak back into the skillet. Slice steak and serve with your garlic herb au jus.
It’s that simple! No matter how you prepare your Farmer Boy Beef, it is sure to be a hit to those sharing a meal at your table.
You can enjoy Farmer Boy Beef in stores and shops where you already purchase our eggs. Be sure to tag us on Instagram or Facebook and let us know what you’ve cooked up!