SRF BLOG

Gerard Masih loves his rugged hunting lifestyle. But when it's time to camp with the family, easy does it. You can follow him on Instagram: @gmas101

Backwoods Bar  Camping and cocktails are a summertime match made in heaven. Yes, you can pop the top of a can of beer, but it's also easy to turn your campsite into a craft cocktail lounge. Here are some tips to bring a touch of civilization to the great outdoors.    Create Our Own Campsite Cocktail Lounge Focus on Your Favorite - Rather than bringing something for everyone, singling out your personal favorite means the right drink is always at the ready. For me, that drink is an Old Fashioned. Mix it at Home - Taking your cocktail on the road – already mixed and ready to pour – adds leisure to your life. I use a slick 500 ml travel decanter from Aged & Ore that nests into a protective stainless-steel case. While more utilitarian, a clean Nalgene bottle works great, too. Crush the Cold - Bring a supply of ice just for drinks. If I have the room, I’ll put cocktail ice in its own cooler. Once in camp, a YETI Rambler bucket keeps the ice cold a good long time. It also doubles as a place to keep canned bevvies cold during those side trips from camp. Don't Forget to Finish - Bring the right garnishes to properly finish your cocktail. Martinis need olives, gin and tonics demand lime wedges, and our Old Fashioneds must have an orange twist and Amarena Fabbri Italian cherries. Bring the right garnishes to properly finish your cocktail. Martinis need olives, gin and tonics demand lime wedges, and our Old Fashioneds must have an orange twist and Amarena Fabbri Italian cherries. "One of the high points in my life was when local cocktail master Michael Bowers, formerly of The Modern Hotel, in Boise, Idaho, bestowed me with a cocktail bearing my name. I’d challenged Michael to create an Old Fashioned with the 'right' amount of sweetness. After a few trips to The Modern, he presented me with a drink that pleased and amazed. Here’s my take on the original recipe. See if you can spot the secret ingredient."   Yasuda Old Fashioned Ingredients ½ teaspoon demerara sugar 4 dashes Regan's Orange Bitters No. 6 1 ½ oz. bourbon* ½ oz. El Dorado 15 Year Aged Rum Orange twist Optional: Amarena Fabbri cherry Directions Add the sugar and bitters into a mixing glass and mix with a muddler or spoon until combined. Pour in the bourbon and rum. Allow to rest for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir, then strain into an Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with orange twist. Michael didn’t believe in the cherry, but I like one in my cocktail. *The original cocktail used Elijah Craig 12 Year Single Barrel Bourbon. One variation that briefly appeared on the menu was made with Weller Antique 107, and it became my personal favorite. The sweetness of the wheated bourbon combined with the aged rum was amazing.   Backwood Whiskey Tasting Many campfires have been graced with a bottle of whiskey, a special addition that is ideal for cool evenings. I enjoy sampling a variety of bourbons in camp, but schlepping four glass bottles can be a bit much, even for the most zealous connoisseur. Many campfires have been graced with a bottle of whiskey, a special addition that is ideal for cool evenings. I enjoy sampling a variety of bourbons in camp, but schlepping four glass bottles can be a bit much, even for the most zealous connoisseur. For short trips, I use this compact Bottle Flight from Aged & Ore that holds four 3-ounce pours. I tend to go with four outstanding whiskeys, but also like to keep them in the same family — for example, four different rye whiskeys. I recently packed Sazerac, High West Double Rye, Whistlepig 12 and Thomas Handy. Or you can try a flight of wheated bourbons, like Weller 12, Weller Full Proof, Old Rip Van Winkle 10 and Van Winkle Special Reserve Lot B 12.  I also like to get further out into the wilds of Idaho, which requires more attention to weight. For a backpacking backwoods bar, I pack a super light titanium flask from Snow Peak filled with something on the high proof side. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is always a treat. I know many folks like to drink right from the flask, but I pack a couple titanium shot glasses made by TOAKS that weigh next to nothing.      

Make this Valentine's Day unforgettable with Snake River Farms' guide to crafting the perfect romantic meal. Discover tips, recipes, and gift ideas to impress your loved one.

Embrace the holiday spirit with Snake River Farms' Chef's Version of 'Home for the Holidays.' Explore comforting classics crafted by culinary experts. From cherished traditions to delightful surprises, discover a medley of heartwarming dishes that bring joy to your festive table. Experience the magic of the season with our curated collection of delicious culinary creations.

RJL is a member of Team SRF and is a Brand Ambassador for GORUCK, Hedley and Bennett, Halo Products, Lynx Grills, Fogo Charcoal and Iowa BBQ Store. His photography clients include YETI, Drew Estate and Patron. His images have been featured in numerous publications including National Geographic, NYTimes, Esquire, Forbes, Food & Wine, Bon Appétit and Outside.

Unwrap the magic of holiday traditions with Snake River Farms colleagues' favorite comforts. From treasured recipes to quirky advice, discover the unique moments that unite every family. Embrace the warmth of shared memories, creating lasting bonds and festive traditions during the most wonderful time of the year.

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.

Pot roast is a classic American dish that many think of as the ultimate comfort food. A perfect pot roast is tender and melts in your mouth, all the while filling it with rich, beefy flavor. How do you choose the best meat for pot roast? There are many options, but we’ve found a specific cut, all but guaranteed to make your next pot roast memorable.

Find the Silver Lining - Introducing American Wagyu Silver™ If you're a Snake River Farms enthusiast, you know about our Black and Gold marbling designations. SRF Black® (also known as Black Grade) represents our standard high level of marbling for our American Wagyu beef. Those looking for our top tier marbling select products with the SRF Gold®.   A third option for Snake River Farms American Wagyu beef is SRF Silver® with marbling that falls below SRF Black®.  Shop American Wagyu Beef →   How to Pick the Right Grade for Your Tastes To understand how we classify SRF beef grades, it's good to know the basics of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) beef grading. The USDA separates domestic beef into eight grades based on intramuscular fat, also known as marbling, and other qualities like tenderness, juiciness, and flavor. The two highest grades are Prime and Choice. Prime is the top grade on the USDA scale and features abundant marbling. At Snake River Farms, we produce beef that exceeds USDA standards. To evaluate the exceptional levels of marbling and quality in our beef, we use the 12-point Beef Marbling Score (BMS)to measure intramuscular fat and identify the traits that make our beef rich, tender, and flavorful. SRF Black® and SRF Gold® both score above USDA Prime, while SRF Silver® has marbling scores like USDA Prime: SRF Silver® – BMS 5. Abundant marbling equivalent to USDA Prime. SRF Black® – BMS 6–8. Significantly more marbling than USDA Prime. SRF Gold® – BMS 9–10. Dramatically more marbling than USDA Prime. SRF Gold Plus™ – BMS 11–12. The highest marbling available from Snake River Farms.     Much More Than Marbling Marbling is a primary factor in determining beef quality. Other elements that affect flavor and texture are the cattle breed and how the animals are raised. Snake River Farms American Wagyu is a cross between purebred Japanese Wagyu and high-quality American cattle. These unique animals are raised on family-owned ranches and fed a special diet over a longer period of time than commodity beef. Both factors influence the final quality of SRF beef. The result is American Wagyu beef that has the rich marbling of Japanese Wagyu and the robust beef flavor that most folks associate with top-tier steaks and roasts.   Why Choose American Wagyu Silver™? While the marbling of SRF American Wagyu Silver™ is very similar to USDA Prime, it has other qualities that create a superior beef-eating experience. Meat scientists (yes, there really are meat scientists!) have run comprehensive taste tests and found that American Wagyu is significantly higher in buttery aroma and flavor, juiciness, tenderness, and umami. Although the results are from a scientific test, the differences are easy to detect for anyone who enjoys a good steak. SRF Silver® offers a new option to our full line of American Wagyu and USDA Choice and Prime beef. This new addition is a delicious option worth exploring.    Shop American Wagyu Beef →  

Snake River Farms offers beef in five different grades. Double R Ranch Northwest beef options are USDA Choice and USDA Prime. American Wagyu is offered in SRF Silver™, SRF Black® and SRF Gold®. What are the differences between these grades? And which one is best for your next meal? We’ll explore these grades and look at the different flavor profiles of USDA grades and American Wagyu.

Ribeyes are often called the steak lover’s steak. Snake River Farms American Wagyu ribeye steaks are a steak lover’s dream. Beautiful marbling infuses each American Wagyu ribeye steak with complex flavor and juiciness.

Japanese A5 Wagyu is a premium grade of beef  prized by chefs and foodies worldwide. Learn how A5 wagyu compares to American wagyu.

Grilling is synonymous with steak. Here at Snake River Farms, we heartily support that notion. But here’s a thought - the next time you have a bunch of friends and family heading to your backyard, try firing up a larger cut of beef or pork.Team SRF, our hand-picked squad of chefs, pitmasters and grilling experts, presents three delicious recipes, custom made for a larger number of hungry folks.

Smoked on a classic off-set smoker burning Texas post oak wood, these authentic smoked American Wagyu and Kurobuta pork items are delicious and easy to prepare. Read on to learn the specific heating instructions for each cut.

Chef Kim shares expert salami and cheese pairing ideas, combining the bold flavors of Snake River Farms Kurobuta pork salami with a variety of rich, complementary cheeses.

Meet Peter and Cathy Seghesio, the talented people behind Journeyman. Learn about their unique history and dedication to crafting world class artisanal salumi, sausage, and cured meats using authentic Italian methods.

Learn what the term 'deckle' means when it comes to beef, and what to look for when shopping for your next wagyu brisket deckle.

Grown tired of eating the same menu year after year? Not the biggest fan of turkey? A brisket for Thanksgiving is the perfect solution. Snake River Farms briskets easily feed a large crowd and come in various sizes to satisfy the appetites at your family gathering.

Southside Market and Barbeque in Elgin, Texas is the oldest BBQ operation in the state. That’s one of the reasons Snake River Farms decided to work with Southside for our line of fully cooked American Wagyu and Kurobuta pork items.

Meet our partners, Bryan and Rachel Bracewell, the third-generation proprietors of Southside Market and Barbecue. Southside provides the expertise to produce our new line of fully cooked American Wagyu smoked brisket, Kurobuta pork steaks, and beef and pork sausages.These new products are the delicious result of combining our quality beef and pork with Southside’s 140 years of experience. Learn about Southside’s deep history that started in Texas back in 1882.

When it comes to meat and fresh vs frozen debate, it's important to understand how modern methods have closed the gap. Fresh? Frozen? Which is better? Discover the differences of fresh vs frozen meat and the effect each option has on quality.

Learn about lesser known steaks that are incredibly delicious and how the quality of American Wagyu beef elevates them to a new level.

The first step to successfully smoking meat is selecting the smoker that best suits your needs. Anyone who’s done a little smoker shopping knows there are many choices available to produce that classic smokey goodness. 

Snake River Farms is proud to produce 100% purebred Kurobuta pork, considered by chefs as the culinary equivalent of Wagyu beef. This uniquely delicious pork comes from a specific heritage breed of hog. Learn how this special breed is raised and why it is known as “the world’s finest pork”.