If you are a lover of meat, then you probably will have heard of, and likely tasted, a wonderful dish known as ‘beef shin’. Beef shin is named after the cut of beef that is used to make it, and it is a truly delectable dish.
This meat is tough, and so it isn’t for everyone. But if you really like the flavor of meat, then this is something that you definitely need to try.
Beef shin is a dish that you have likely tried before, but one that you probably haven’t made yourself. It isn’t the easiest meal to cook, and because of this most people avoid making it.
But, as soon as you know what you are doing, making your beef shin is very simple.
In this guide, I’ll be giving you all the information that you need to make cooking your beef shin a stress-free and enjoyable process. With that in mind, let’s get started.
What is Beef Shin?
Beef shin is a dish that crosses multiple different cultures and cuisines. This cut of meat is used in Western cultures just as often as it is in Asian cultures, and because of this, it is an incredibly versatile meal.
Depending on what cuisine that you follow, your final product will be very different, and it is very surprising how different this meal can taste depending on the style of cooking that you used.
As I have said, beef shin is a dish named after the cut of meat that it is taken from. Beef shin is, of course, taken from the foreshank of the cow, and because of this, it is an incredibly muscular cut.
A tough cut of meat isn’t for everyone, as a lot of people only like meat that falls apart in your mouth. But, if you are a real meat lover, then you will probably enjoy this dish.
Beef shin is served in a variety of ways. It is often prepared on the bone, and due to this, it is sometimes served on the bone. However, it is just as common to see this cut of meat chopped or diced before it is served.
Beef shin is usually served with a sauce that is made by boiling the bones of this cut, and it is this that gives it a proper meaty flavor.
As I have said, beef shin is a dish that most people choose to order rather than prepare themselves. At first, this dish can seem very complex to prepare, but it isn’t actually that difficult once you know the process. So, let’s take a look at how to prepare beef shin.
Ingredients: What You Need
The key to making any recipe is preparation. So, before you even think about cooking your beef shin, you first need to gather the ingredients. To help, here’s a complete list of ingredients that you need to make this recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1 kg of beef shin (it must be diced with the bones reversed)
- 2 L of beef stock (chicken stock can be used as an alternative if needed)
- 1 carrot
- 1 onion
- 1 swede
- 1 sprig of rosemary
- 1 sprig of thyme
- ½ bulb of peeled garlic
- 1 tbsp oil
- Pepper
- Salt
- Flour (for dusting)
Equipment:
- Large pan
- Chopping board
- Knives
Once you have gathered all the ingredients and all the equipment that you need to make your beef shin, then you are ready to get started. To find out what to do next, then keep on reading.
Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide
After you have gathered all the equipment and ingredients that you need, then you are ready to get started with your recipe. Read this guide thoroughly before you get started to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Step One: Prepare Your Ingredients
First things first, you need to begin preparing your ingredients. Your beef is already chopped, so you should move straight onto the vegetables. Take your chopping board and knife, along with your onion, swede, and carrot, and get started.
You should chop all of these vegetables in your normal manner, and then dice them. Once they are diced, set them aside along with your rosemary and thyme. You should then take your clove of garlic and chop that, then set that aside also.
Step Two: Prepare Your Beef
Once you have finished with your vegetables, you can then move onto your beef. It will already be diced, so you can begin seasoning it.
Take your salt and pepper and add them to the chopped beef. Once the chopped beef is coated in salt and pepper, you should then chuck it in the flour until it is lightly coated.
Step Three: Heat Your Oven
After all the ingredients are ready, you should then begin getting ready to cook them. Switch your oven so that it is on medium heat, and put your large pan on top. Once your large pan is heated, add 1 tablespoon of oil and heat through.
Step Four: Brown Your Beef
When the beef is prepared, and your pan is heated, you can then start browning your beef. You should do this by adding it to the pan and keep turning it over until the whole of the beef has been caramelized. You may have to do this in batches if you have a lot of beef.
Step Five – Cook Your Onions
Next, you can begin browning your vegetables. Add the onions and caramelize them, then add the garlic, herbs, and reserved bones to the pan. Then cover the entire mixture with your beef stock.
Bring the entire mixture to a boil and cook for 2 hours. After this time has passed, add the carrots and swede. Cook for another hour.
Step Six – Serve and Enjoy
When the beef is falling apart, the dish is ready to eat. Take it off the heat, and serve as you wish. Then all that is left is to enjoy.
Summary
In short, this has been a complete guide to how to cook beef shin. So, if you fancy giving this dish a go, this is a great recipe to follow if you want it to be stress-free and enjoyable.
