Of all the types of meat, beef is considerably one of the most valuable. They are valuable because it takes a lot of time and resources to raise livestock. If you are going to buy beef in large quantities, you should make sure that you preserve it as effectively as possible. Here are 7 savvy ways to preserve beef.
Drying
When it comes to preserving meat, the oldest form of preservation is drying. The very first humans used the sun to dehydrate their meat. The lack of fluids inside the muscle fibers helps prevent the development of bacteria that could cause deterioration.
This was done long before salt was used for food preparation. It could be dangerous to dry your meat just using the rays of the sun. The sunlight might not be powerful enough to completely dry the beef, and pathogens might start to develop in the long run. Flies and other bacteria-carrying insects and animals might also get near your beef, and nest on them. Luckily there are modern dehydrators that will allow you to dehydrate your beef without leaving them out in the open.
Salted Meat
Salting is a more advanced version of drying. After early humans found out how to properly create and use salt, they started salting their meat. The preservative power of salting stems from the fact that salt draws out water from meat. The salt also prevents harmful pathogens from developing in the meat, which makes salted meat last longer.
When you salt your beef, it is important that you cut them into thin strips. After you cut them into strips, it is important that you pat each strip down with a handful of salt.
Canned Meat
If you want your beef to last as long as possible, you should try canning it. The main advantage of canned beef is the fact that the beef is totally protected from any pathogens that could cause the meat to decay. Take a look at canned products such as spam or corned beef. Their shelf life lasts for months or even years, depending on how well they are preserved.
When it comes to preserving your beef for very long periods of time, canning is the best option. If you are interested in canning your beef, you should contact Levapac. It is a company that specializes in providing canning machine options. By canning your beef, you will be able to preserve your beef for very long periods of time.
Even though you have canned your meat, it is also important that you store them somewhere safe such as the pantry or a kitchen cupboard.
Fermentation
Aside from drying meat, fermentation is also an extremely old method of meat preservation. The most common type of fermented meat is sausage, and it’s many variations such as chorizo, pastrami, and salami.
If you’re going to make beef-flavored sausages, it is important that you ground the beef. Mix the beef in with various seasonings such as chili, onions, and garlic to name but a few. Aside from the seasoning, you should also add catalyst bacteria and nitrates. These additives will help prevent contamination.
When handling your ground beef, it is very important that you use hand sanitizer or gloves to decontaminate your hands. Remember that you will be handling the meat, and piping it into sausage wrapping. As a whole, it is very important that you practice proper hygiene practices in the kitchen. This will help prevent spoilage as you process the meat.
Smoking
Smoking is an old and very specialized form of meat preservation. It is very similar to the meat drying process because its main goal is to dehydrate the meat. However, instead of laying out the meat in the open for the sun to dry it, the meat is instead cut into thin slabs and then placed inside a smokehouse. The smokehouse usually has a small compartment wherein you could start a fire. The smoke will converge in the center where the meat is placed. By smoking your beef, you will be able to dehydrate it and give it a smoky flavor.
Freezing
Freezing is a relatively new method of meat preservation because our early ancestors did not have access to fridges back in the day. Freezing is extremely effective because it places the meat in such a cold state, that pathogens could no longer inhabit the meat and cause any damage.
When it comes to preserving meat, freezing is by far the most effective. However, you should make sure that your freezer is capable of keeping a specific temperature for long periods of time. You should also have a set protocol to follow should the fridge break down or the power supply goes down.
Brining
Brining is yet another ancient preservation method that has helped develop some of the most famous delicacies in the world. The main concept of brining is the use of a combination of salt and sugar to preserve meat. The meat is submerged in the concoction and helps store the meat for long periods of time.
If you are going to brine your beef, it is important that you choose a good-quality glass container. Remember that the container should be airtight, to prevent any pathogens from settling into the beef. It is also important that you cut your beef into thin portions so that the brine could seep into the meat evenly.
Conclusion
If you are going to buy beef in large quantities, you should make sure that you know how to store it properly. Beef is the most valuable type of meat and it would be such a waste if you could not properly store it. With these preservation tips, you will be able to preserve your beef as effectively as possible.