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Cooking Guides

Holiday Ground Rules: 5 Easy Recipes with Wagyu Ground Beef

By: Snake River Farms
Holiday Ground Rules: 5 Easy Recipes with Wagyu Ground Beef The holiday season brings friends and family to town. While the focus is on festive celebrations and elaborate meals, everyone still needs to be fed for non-holiday meals. We have a simple solution for the days before the big dinner or after the leftovers are gone: SRF Wagyu ground beef.This restaurant quality product has a flavor profile that transcends grocery store ground beef and makes everyday dishes special. Some of our favorite chefs share five recipes for dishes that take advantage of the same ground Wagyu used by top chefs. For variety, we included a recipe using our Kurobuta ground pork with a rich, slightly sweet flavor. Stock up on these convenient one-pound packs and break new ground for elevated, but easy, comfort food for the dinner table.     1. Bacon-Wrapped Wagyu Meatloaf  Meatloaf is so versatile. You can serve it with tomato base accompaniments (can you say ketchup?) or fancy it up with a quick gravy. I love to slice it cold and make a sandwich. SRF Wagyu ground beef really brings up the flavor of this classic dish. You can make this in less than an hour, but try the two day method for the best results. Prepare the mix and let it sit overnight so all the flavors meld together. Bake it the day before serving to let it firm up, then serve it the next day. > Cook Now     2. Kurobuta Pork & Mushroom Ragu  Rich and deeply flavorful Kurobuta ground pork transforms this simple but satisfying dish into one worthy of center stage at your next gathering. To that end, the ragù may be made ahead and warmed over low heat. > Cook Now      3. Wagyu Ground Beef Mac & Cheese  The silky smooth cheese sauce in this homey dish uses sodium citrate, a culinary salt easy to buy online. It acts as an emulsifier, so the cheese sauce doesn’t require a binder, like a roux, to hold it together. The combination of fontina, taleggio, and smoked gouda cheeses perfectly accents the flavor of the SRF beef. Recommended types of cheese, plus the brands I used, are listed but tasting multiple kinds of cheese to pair with your palate is half of the fun! > Cook Now     4. Kofte Kebab with Tzatziki and Israeli Salad  Kofte, a Turkish ground meat mixture loaded with flavor from a variety of spices, is often made into meatballs. We like to make kebabs, shaping this flavorful meat around a wooden skewer and grilling it, either over hardwood lump charcoal or a gas grill. Each skewer is served on a piece of naan (or in a lettuce cup) with tzatziki. The Kofte pairs well with a simple salad of ripe tomatoes and sweet onion seasoned with red wine vinegar and mint. > Cook Now      5. Air Fryer Beef Ricotta Meatball Tender, moist and ultra-beefy, these SRF Wagyu ground beef meat balls adapt to your mood and menu. They’re right at home on top of a plate of spaghetti, tucked into a meatball sub or served as an appetizer. The air fryer cooks them quickly, giving the outside a nice crust, without drying out the inside. > Cook Now    
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Cooking Guides

Holiday Feast Tips: Savory Tricks and Must-Have Treats for Perfect Meals

By: Snake River Farms
Holiday Feast Tips: Savory Tricks & Must-Have Treats for Perfect Meals Take your holiday feast up a notch with these savory tips. The trick? It’s all in the details. The experts have weighed in, and we’re here to share the (tasty) results.    Multiple Choice: Elevate Your Feast with Double R Ranch USDA Choice Steaks Double R Ranch USDA Choice steaks are sourced from our network of family ranches in the Northwest, where the climate is ideal for quality beef. Good marbling and great flavor make these steaks a tremendous value. An excellent way to sample a robust tomahawk or try a butcher’s cut like the teres major.DRR USDA Choice Tomahawk | 2.5 lbs. | $79 > Shop Now DRR USDA Choice Teres Major | 1.5 lbs. | $32 > Shop Now   The Perfect Temperature: Fast & Accurate Thermometer for Perfect Roasts & Steaks No need to play the “is it done yet?” guessing game when you have this accurate, fast read thermometer. Take the temp in just one second and serve a perfect steak or roast every time.Thermapen® ONE | $109 > Shop Now   How Do You Like Them Apples? Sweeten Your holiday Breakfast with Apple Brined Bacon  Make your holiday breakfast delicious, and a touch sweet, with our artisan uncured bacon from the experts at Journeyman Meat Co. They start with SRF Kurobuta pork bellies and brine them in real Sonoma apple juice, then smoke over real applewood for a nuanced sweetness and smokey, savory finish.Apple Brined Uncured Bacon |  12 oz. |  $19 > Shop Now   Take it with You: Jacobsen Infused Salt Tins for Perfect Flavor Anywhere Pack these handy slide tins of Jacobsen salts to season meals out on the town or outside for picnics and camping. This gift worthy package contains six tins including Pure Flake Salt and five flavorful salt infusions that range from aromatic to spicy. Each container holds about ½ ounce.Jacobsen Infused Slide Tin Collection | $38 > Shop Now   Chill Out: Does Resting Your Roast at Room Temperature Improve Cooking? Should you let your roast sit at room temperature before cooking? Many chefs and home cooks say the meat will cook faster and more evenly. We agree with Kenji Lopez-Alt, chef and author of The Food Lab. His research (and our own experience) found letting a roast rest at room temperature does not have a significant impact on cooking time or finished quality. If you decide to temper your roast before cooking, target a maximum of four hours as recommended by the USDA.   How to Season Prime Rib: Simple Tips for a Delicious Roast  One of the most frequently asked questions is how and when to season a holiday roast. Our beautifully marbled prime ribs are delicious seasoned with just salt and pepper, but feel free to use aromatics like garlic and rosemary. SRF Rosemary Roast Seasoning is an easy short cut for a decadent prime rib.SRF Rosemary Roast Seasoning | $15 > Shop Now     The Long Game: Unlocking Maximum Flavor for Your Prime Rib  For the most savory seasoned prime rib, start 24 to 48 hours in advance. Season generously on all sides and place the prime rib uncovered in the refrigerator. This allows time for the salt and seasonings to impart flavor to the beef and dries the surface of roast for a golden brown sear.   Quick Start: The Best Way to Season Prime Rib When Time is Tight Short on time? Season your prime rib 15 or 20 minutes before placing it in the oven. The surface of the roast will remain dry and it will cook nicely. Don’t try to extend the time. After about 25 or 30 minutes, the salt pulls water from the roast and will create a moist exterior. (When allowed to sit overnight, this surface moisture is reabsorbed by the roast.)   Iron It Out: Smithey No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet - A Timeless Kitchen Essential This handcrafted cast iron skillet from Smithey melds classic style with modern workmanship. Its 12” diameter provides enough surface area to cook up meals for four. The signature polished interior is beautiful to behold and is naturally non-stick. A wonderful addition to your kitchen and makes a special gift.Smithey No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet | $210 > Shop Now   How to Slice a Bone-In Ham: Expert Tips for Perfect Slices Every Time  You’ve probably heard chefs say to slice meat “against the grain.” But where exactly is the grain on a ham? The muscles that make up a ham run parallel to the bone. The natural tendency is to simply slice along the side, but this cuts the ham with the grain. Cut large sections of the ham in the same direction of the bone. Turn these on their side, then slice the smaller sections and serve.     
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Cooking Guides

Alternatives to Turkey for the Holidays

By: Dave Yasuda
Alternatives to Turkey for the Holidays Turkey is the customary star of holiday meals. Although it’s most often tied to Thanksgiving dinner, Americans eat an estimated 22 million turkeys on Christmas. It’s a dish steeped in family history, but a poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found just 3 in 10 U.S. adults say turkey is their favorite dish for their holiday feast. The primary reason Americans serve turkey is tradition. It’s what their mother, grandmother and great-grandmother made for holiday meals, so it’s the family convention that everyone follows.We completely understand that turkey for the holidays is a sacred ritual that many just can’t abandon. But for those pioneering souls looking to break free of the shackles of a turkey-fueled Thanksgiving, Christmas, or other major celebration, we present three delicious alternatives. Each one is festive, appetizing and offers loads more flavor than the old-school bird.     1. Kurobuta Boneless Ham: A Juicy, Flavorful Holiday Alternative   SRF hams are juicy, tender and packed with flavor. Made with 100% Berkshire pork (also known as Kurobuta in Japan), which has more fine marbling than conventional breeds, these hams are often rated the "best" in numerous comparisons. Made with traditional smokehouse methods using a signature cure, these hams are a crowd-pleaser and have become a new tradition for many of our customers.The boneless hams are easy to prepare and a cinch to carve. They are available in multiple sizes, so it's easy to find the perfect size for your holiday meal. For those looking for a traditional appearance, SRF also offers a bone-in Kurobuta ham.     2. Tenderloin Roast: The Perfect Holiday Dish for Steak Lovers Savor the same mild flavor and tenderness of filet mignon steak when you serve this elegant roast. The tenderloin roast is a simple way to elevate your Thanksgiving feast, which your guests will talk about for weeks to come. A helpful feature of this impressive roast is how quickly it cooks. A reverse sear takes about an hour so you can spend more time with your guests.  SRF offers tenderloin roasts cut from American Wagyu or USDA Choice beef. American Wagyu options include three different levels of marbling, from excellent to outstanding:  SRF Silver™, SRF Black® and SRF Gold®.      3. Kurobuta Rack of Pork: A Show-Stopping Roast for Holiday Feasts This bone-in Kurobuta pork roast has quietly become one of our favorite items to serve for holiday meals. We like to think of it as the pork equivalent of a bone-in beef prime rib, and it is an exciting roast to bring to the table. Each rack includes 10 to 12 bones providing a generous serving for 8 to 10 guests. This impressive roast is easy to make and takes about an hour to prepare, which means you don’t have to spend all day in the kitchen to serve a magnificent holiday feast.  
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Cooking Guides

Smoke Show: Effortlessly Elevate Your Holidays with SRF Smoked Prime Rib – Just Heat & Serve

By: Snake River Farms
Smoke Show: Effortlessly Elevate Your Holidays with SRF Smoked Prime Rib – Just Heat & Serve A Snake River Farms prime rib makes any holiday table brighter and so much more delicious. We didn’t think it was possible to add more flavor to our American Wagyu roasts, but Bryan and Rachel Bracewell of Southside Market and Barbeque shared their idea. Start with a SRF Silver™ prime rib and carefully smoke it over genuine Texas post oak in Southside’s authentic smoker. The result is a cooked, juicy prime rib with a hint of smoke and the natural flavor of SRF American Wagyu beef.   “No surprise here,” says Bryan, “it’s just high quality beef, simple dry rub, real post oak wood, and time.” Southside is the oldest BBQ joint in Texas, a state famous for authentic barbeque. They handcraft our smoked SRF brisket, spare ribs and sausages. Just in time for the holidays, we present our smoked American Wagyu prime rib. It ships frozen. Just thaw, heat to 115°F, rest and serve. Now it’s effortless to serve a perfect holiday prime rib. Add a Touch of Texas to the Holidays  SRF Smoked Prime Rib | Average weight: 5.5 lbs. | $349   A SRF Silver™ prime rib is hand trimmed, hand seasoned, and smoked low and slow with real Texas post oak. Just heat in the oven, smoker or grill to your desired finished temp, rest and serve. > Shop Now   Leftover Prime Rib Recipes for Flavorful Meals  Leftover Prime Rib and Barley SoupTransform your leftover prime rib into a hearty, comforting beef and barley soup in just 30 minutes. This flavorful dish features tender prime rib, mushrooms, and soy sauce for added umami, with classic pearled barley adding the perfect texture. A quick and satisfying meal for any day.After the prime rib has rested, slice and serve. > Cook Now  Leftover Prime Rib French DipTurn your leftover prime rib into a delicious French dip sandwich with thinly sliced meat, creamy horseradish, and savory au jus for dipping. Quick and full of flavor, this easy recipe is perfect for using up your leftovers. > Cook Now Leftover Prime Rib Pot PieTurn your leftover prime rib into a cozy, hearty pot pie with flaky puff pastry. Prepare the filling ahead of time, then bake for a comforting meal that’s perfect for using up holiday leftovers. > Cook Now
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Cooking Guides

How to Cook Steaks

By: Snake River Farms
Discover a variety of steaks, from tender filet mignon to flavorful ribeye and bold New York strip. This guide covers cooking methods to elevate each unique cut to perfection.
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Cooking Guides

How to Cook a Porterhouse Steak

By: Snake River Farms
Master the perfect Porterhouse steak with this guide from Snake River Farms. Learn key steps to achieve a tender, flavorful result every time you cook.
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Cooking Guides

How to Cook a New York Strip Steak

By: Snake River Farms
Discover how to cook a New York strip steak like a pro. This guide covers everything from selecting the perfect cut to achieving the ideal sear and doneness.
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Cooking Guides

How to Cook a Sirloin Steak

By: Snake River Farms
Learn how to cook the perfect sirloin steak with Snake River Farms’ easy-to-follow guide, ensuring a tender and flavorful result every time.
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Cooking Guides

How to Cook a Flank Steak

By: Snake River Farms
Flank steak is a versatile cut known for its rich flavor. Discover quick tips and techniques to cook it to perfection, ensuring a tender and delicious meal.
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Cooking Guides

How to Cook a Ribeye Steak

By: Snake River Farms
Get the best out of your ribeye steak with this quick guide. Whether you're grilling, pan-searing, or broiling, learn the essential steps to achieve a perfectly cooked, flavorful steak every time.
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Cooking Guides

How to Cook a Filet Mignon

By: Snake River Farms
Elevate your cooking skills with this guide on how to prepare the perfect filet mignon. Learn the best methods to achieve a tender, juicy steak every time, from seasoning tips to cooking techniques. Perfect for any special occasion or a luxurious meal at home.
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Cooking Guides

Grill Smoked Brisket: Smoking a Brisket on Charcoal Grills

By: Snake River Farms
Master the art of slow-cooked perfection with this grill-smoked brisket recipe. Achieve tender, smoky beef with step-by-step instructions that guide you through prepping, seasoning, and smoking a mouthwatering Snake River Farms brisket for a truly unforgettable meal.
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Cooking Guides

Cooking Corned Beef Three Different Ways

By: Snake River Farms
Discover three delicious ways to cook corned beef with Snake River Farms. Perfect your recipe today and impress your guests with a mouthwatering meal!
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Cooking Guides

How to Pair Salami and Wine

By: Snake River Farms
SRF Kurobuta salami is delicious by itself, but their flavors shine when paired with wine. The best combinations accent and balance the flavor profiles of the wine and salami. Keep in mind, the best pairings are the ones that taste best to you! We consulted with Pete Seghesio, an acclaimed winemaker and founder of Journeyman Meats, to discover his suggestions for the best wines to pair with his different types of salami.
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Cooking Guides

Guide: How to Cook a Steak

By: Snake River Farms
Master the art of cooking steak with this comprehensive guide from Snake River Farms. Learn essential techniques to achieve the perfect sear and desired doneness.
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Cooking Guides

Guide: How to Cook Prime Rib

By: Snake River Farms
Get essential tips on selecting and preparing prime rib and beef roasts from Snake River Farms to ensure a perfect, flavorful roast every time.
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Cooking Guides

Guide: How to Cook a Ham

By: Snake River Farms
Discover the ultimate guide to Snake River Farms Kurobuta Ham. Learn everything from choosing the perfect ham to cooking methods, ensuring your meal is a showstopper.
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Cooking Guides

Brisket 101: A Guide to Smoking Brisket

By: Snake River Farms
Smoking a brisket can feel like an impossible task, but we’re here to help.
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Cooking Guides

Fast Weeknight Meals

By: Snake River Farms
Looking for fast, flavorful meals that fit into your busy schedule? This collection of quick recipes is designed to help you whip up delicious dinners with minimal effort.
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Cooking Guides

Dynamic Holiday Duo

By: Snake River Farms
It’s (much) easier than you think to add a little surf to your turf this season. Photographer and Instagram influencer Chad Montano has the perfect way to elevate your holiday meal in less than five minutes: JUST ADD SEAFOOD. "The seafood Snake River Farms is sourcing is all really good," Chad says. Whether you choose a surf-and-turf box of filets mignons, ribeyes, and seafood, or pick a standalone fish or shellfish delivery that can be added to any meal, SRF seafood unlocks a new level of flavor. “The classic is lobster tail and filet mignon because they go together really well,” he says. “Even though filets are lean, you still get a very rich texture from them. And when they’re cooked right, they’re mouthwatering with a nice crust and perfectly medium rare inside. “That’s amazing,” he says. “But when paired with seafood, your taste buds go wild.” SRF seafood amplifies meals with great texture, sweetness, and fresh flavors, Chad says, and they’re versatile enough to fit any menu or cooking style. As an avid griller from Southern California, where it’s almost never a bad day to cook outside, he’s adept at preparing seafood hot and fast over an open flame. It’s easy to cook shrimp, scallops, or lobster tails while your beef is resting. Shrimp and scallops cook in under five minutes and you can judge their doneness by sight. But for lobster, Chad recommends pulling out a quick-read thermometer, like the Thermoworks Super-Fast Pocket Thermometer, to test the internal temperature. He swears by 140°F. “That’s been the sweet spot for me,” he says.  “Usually people recommend cooking to 145°F, but carry-over cooking after you pull it off the heat will bring it up to that temperature. At 140°F, it’s perfect — nice and succulent and not chewy or overcooked.” If you’re not blessed with sunny San Diego weather, it’s just as easy to get perfect results with a cast iron skillet and a stovetop. “I really like scallops cooked in a pan with a little bit of oil to get a hard sear, and once they’re flipped, maybe a little bit of butter or some aromatics, and that’s it,” Chad says.  However you choose to bring seafood to your holiday table this year, Chad says it will make your gathering just a little more special without a lot of fuss. “It’s so good, and so simple, and you really don’t need to do much to let the flavors shine through,” he says.
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Cooking Guides

Fool Proof Prime Rib

By: Snake River Farms
Chef Edward Higgins' tried-and-true method will turn you into a holiday hero. What a dilemma. Prime rib is the ultimate holiday showstopper, yet it’s laden with heartbreak potential — and Edward Higgins, executive chef at The Lively in Boise, Idaho, thinks he knows why. 
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Cooking Guides

Master the Moment - Make the Most of the Holidays!

By: Snake River Farms
Make the Most of the Holidays! All you need is a few of these time-tested hacks and gift-worthy products to take the stress out of this hectic time of year.
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Cooking Guides

How to Perfectly Cook Crab Legs

By: Dave Yasuda
Despite their luxurious reputation, crab legs are easy to prepare. No special equipment or techniques are required to cook delicious, restaurant quality crab legs in your kitchen. Learn how to cook crab legs in the oven, grill or stovetop.
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Cooking Guides

The Complete Holiday Meal: Ham

By: Snake River Farms
Elevate your holiday gathering with a delectable menu created by culinary maestros Nathan Michael and Julia Flowers. Discover a tantalizing lineup, including their signature Pepper Jelly Glazed Ham, Creamy Caramelized Onion Dip, indulgent Pimento Mac and Cheese, refreshing Shrimp Louie Salad, and a Spiced Maple Bourbon Cocktail that will leave your guests raving. Unwrap the secrets to a memorable holiday feast.
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