SRF BLOG

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.     

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.  

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

A Cut Above - Talking Knives with Chef Erik Johnson Erik Johnson was raised in Boise from the age of 10 and attended the Culinary Arts program at Boise State University. He moved to the Bay Area and worked in top kitchens in San Francisco and Sonoma County for 13 years. He opened Saltbrush with business partner Neil Grant in April 2024.His culinary style reflects his time in the Northern California wine country with an ingredient focused approach. He likes to start with a high-quality ingredient and see what technique he can use to highlight its natural flavor. He often uses Snake River Farms American Wagyu and Kurobuta pork for his menu.Chef Johnson is a self-professed knife enthusiast (although his wife says he might have a “knife problem”). Early in his career he used German knives like Henckels and Wüsthof. Then he fell down the rabbit hole of boutique knives from Japan. He maintains a revolving collection of work knives in different blade shapes for specific tasks. Currently his primary chef’s knife is a Steelport, but he also has Hattori, Takeda, Misono and Shun knives in his arsenal.   Get a Grip: How to properly grip a knife for better control and precision Controlling your knife starts with holding it correctly. “Pick up the knife and find its center of balance,” says Chef Johnson. “Grip the knife with your thumb and forefinger and move the knife slightly back and forth until you feel where its natural center lies.” Once you find the center point, let your hand rest naturally on the handle. This will position your hand so you’re holding the blade with three fingers wrapping around the handle. “This position lets you control the entire knife and make precise movements,” recommends Chef Johnson.   Rock & Roll: Master the rocking technique for precise knife cuts and chopping “A chef’s knife is designed with a curve so you can rock it back and forth,” says Chef Johnson. “Don’t shove your knife vertically straight down. Rocking keeps the knife in place and makes clean cuts.” Gently push the blade forward and down to create a rocking motion so the knife naturally makes consistent, even slices. This is the technique to master for chopping vegetables and mincing herbs.   Lay the Ground-Work: How to stabilize your ingredients for safer, more precise cuts “Vegetables are typically round. It’s not ideal to make your cuts when something is moving,” according to Chef Johnson. “With your initial cut, try to create a flat base so it’s more stable and you’re less likely to cut yourself.”     Your Knife Collection: Essential knives every kitchen needs for versatile cooking Three knives belong in every kitchen — chef’s, paring and serrated (bread). Each is available in a wide range of prices. Experts recommend putting most of your knife budget toward a chef’s knife since it’s the tool you’ll use the most. Chef Johnson recommends adding two additional knives when you expand your collection. A boning knife for trimming meat and cleaning fish and a long carving knife for slicing roasts and hams.     Chef's Knife: A must-have for every home cook's kitchen The chef’s knife is a versatile workhorse in the kitchen and has a distinctive rounded blade to facilitate a rocking motion. You’ll find this knife in lengths of 6 to 10 inches. 8 inches is the sweet spot and works best for most home cooks.  Steelport 8” | $400Made in Portland, Oregon, this knife is made with American 52100 carbon steel using traditional forging techniques. Each heirloom quality knife is handcrafted with a distinctive maple burl wood handle and a sheepsfoot shaped blade.  Shun Narukami 8” | $288This Japanese made knife starts with a carbon steel core with a layer of stainless steel on each side. This hybrid construction provides the benefits of both Japanese and Western style knives in a clean design.  MAC Professional Series 8” | $175Rated the “best knife” by numerous media outlets due to its balance, light weight and ability to hold a sharp edge. In the world of premium knives, it’s an excellent value.        Pairing Knife: Ideal for precision tasks like peeling, coring, and mincing Think of the paring knife as a miniature version of a chef’s knife. The small blade works well when more precision is required for peeling fruit, coring tomatoes or mincing a small amount of aromatics like onions or garlic.  Shun Premier 4” | $169 This top-of-the-line knife features an elegant design with a hammer-finished blade that functions to reduce drag and keep food from adhering. It flawlessly performs peeling and trimming with a thin, razor sharp blade.  Wüsthof Classic 3½” | $95A high quality German knife with a clean, simple design that makes concise cuts. The grip is comfortable for most hand sizes. The solid build feels sturdy with an easy to hold handle and a blade that seems very durable, but feels slightly less sharp.  Misen 3½” | $44This is a favorite of many online reviews due to its slip-proof handle, sharp blade and great price. It weighs a bit more than other knives which, is noticeable in hand, but doesn’t deter when peeling and cutting an apple. >      Serrated Knife: Perfect for cutting bread, tomatoes, and soft foods with ease Commonly known as a bread knife, the serrated blade works well for cutting soft foods like tomatoes and are handy for cutting up a leftover beef or poultry. Of course, they are also excellent for cutting clean slices of crusty bread. Shun Classic 9” | $225A handcrafted Japanese knife with ample length to slice large loaves of firm crust breads without damaging the soft interior. 34 layers of stainless Damascus cladding surround the core of the blade. A beautiful knife that feels balanced in hand. .  Tojiro 10¾” | $70This attractive knife has a blade that is longer than most serrated knives and has serrations that are more rounded than pointed which makes it more adept at slicing meat, soft pastries, like cake, and tomatoes.  Out of the Woods | $30We found this unique tool at a local kitchen store and it is an inexpensive option to a traditional bread knife. It looks like a hacksaw for bread and works well with smaller loaves and is serviceable for cutting delicate vegetables and fruit.     

Fire on the Mountain: Cooking Wagyu Steaks & Kurobuta Pork in Idaho's Backcountry   I’m working furiously to slice and plate a huge stack of SRF NY strip steaks. There’s a crew of 20 hungry skiers and snowboarders headed my way, and I can’t let them wait. They’ve been out all day on a snowcat trip, skiing and riding the backcountry surrounding Brundage Mountain near McCall, Idaho. My teammate is Bob Atkinson, Marketing Manager for Big Green Egg, the iconic kamado grill. He’s a hardworking partner and arrived with a truckload of grills. One of the Big Green Eggs is set up for indirect grilling and we use it to bring the steaks up to 150°F. We use two blazing hot grills to put a final sear on the NY strips. The backcountry snow was plentiful, and the crew arrives later than scheduled. Bob sears the steaks, and I slice them. I load each plate with portions of medium rare SRF NY strip steak, smashed Yukon Gold potatoes seared in SRF American Wagyu tallow topped with a spicy aioli, and garnish with a grilled scallion. The group includes members of 10 Barrel Brewing, pro athletes sponsored by the brewery and editors from Sunset, Gear Patrol, The Inertia and Newschoolers.com. The hungry folks grab and eat faster than I can plate. The payoff is the comments we receive. “This is the best steak I’ve ever eaten!” says one editor. I cook a lot of steaks, and must admit a SRF American Wagyu steak prepared on a Big Green Egg is hard to beat. Bob and I toast our success with a 10 Barrel Pub Beer. Big Green Egg and 10 Barrel Brewing share the same PR agency, and a six-week promotion called “The Beer Lodge” was planned at Brundage. This brought numerous pro athletes to town to ski and ride with editors, share the stories of the sponsors and produce content to promote the brands. The night before we did a fast and simple dinner of SRF Wagyu hot dogs and homemade lentil stew at the official 10 Barrel Beer Lodge, a huge property where the athletes spend their time. The deluxe rental includes a game room complete with a bar, spa and indoor swimming pool. It was a great opportunity to meet the entire group. After dinner we did a guided beer tasting and ended the evening with a group contest that included a cocktail mixing tournament, a beer pong match and “build a raft with junk and pull it across the pool” event. With world class athletes in the mix, the competition was intense. Fortunately, I was able to lean into my college party experience to help my team take second place. The final day was amazing. A foot of new powder, a bluebird sky and dinner at The Bear’s Den located on the mountain. Two extra large Big Green Eggs were hauled by snowcat to the venue. It was no easy feat to load and set-up the heavy ceramic grills. Chef Keith Moreno from 10 Barrel in Boise prepared a feast that featured SRF Kurobuta rack of pork served with a zesty salsa verde. The completed dish was juicy, robust and delicious. The perfect end to a winter adventure. Working for Snake River Farms affords me with amazing experiences like these. It’s fantastic to introduce people to our American Wagyu beef and Kurobuta pork. When the location is out of the ordinary, like in the backcountry of Idaho or a chilly hut on a ski hill, somehow our amazing products just taste a little bit better. When Bob pitched the idea to work together, he said he wanted to combine skiing and grilling and call it “Fire on the Mountain.” After three successful days serving SRF cooked on flaming Big Green Eggs, we definitely achieved his goal.  

How to Create a Memorable Thanksgiving Menu  When my wife and I gather our family around the table for Thanksgiving, there’s nothing we cherish more than sharing a meal that’s as comforting as it is memorable. This year, we’re diving into the rich flavors of Snake River Farms with a meal curated to bring everyone together, starting with a Herb & Garlic Crusted Bone-In Rack of Pork, tender and full of savory goodness. Paired with a hearty Bacon Bratwurst Cornbread Stuffing, each bite brings warmth and a bit of smoky indulgence to the table. And, of course, the Apple Cured Bacon & Brussels Sprouts Gratin adds a creamy, flavorful touch, balancing everything with its crispy, caramelized edges. These dishes aren’t just food—they’re our way of creating a feast that speaks to family, connection, and those little moments we hold close.    Herb & Garlic Crusted Bone-in Rack of Pork This Herb & Garlic Crusted Bone-In Rack of Pork features a savory crust of fresh herbs, garlic, and Dijon mustard, perfectly complementing the tender, juicy Kurobuta pork. Roasted to perfection, it’s a simple yet elegant centerpiece for any special occasion or family gathering. > Learn More.       Bacon Bratwurst Cornbread Stuffing  This Bacon Bratwurst Cornbread Stuffing combines the rich flavors of SRF Bacon Bratwurst, fresh herbs, and hearty cornbread for a savory, comforting side dish. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, it’s a delicious addition to any holiday meal. > Learn More.       Apple Brined Bacon & Brussel Sprouts Gratin  The Apple Brined Bacon & Brussels Sprouts Gratin combines smoky apple-brined bacon, tender Brussels sprouts, and a rich, creamy cheese sauce, all topped with a golden, crispy panko finish. This indulgent side dish adds the perfect balance of savory, smoky, and creamy flavors to your holiday feast. > Learn More.    

What to buy for those who love to smoke meat but seem to have everything? You can’t go wrong with Wagyu Beef or Kurobuta Pork.

Snake River Farms American Wagyu beef is delicious by itself, but the addition of a little high quality salt really brings out the flavor. When it comes to salt, it's hard to beat the quality and purity of the products from Jacobsen Salt Co. test test

The SRF Crafted Seasoning Pack is designed to enhance the rich flavors of Snake River Farms' American Wagyu and Kurobuta pork. Each blend brings out the best in your grilling for an elevated culinary experience.

Napa Valley is full of talented chefs and culinary experts, but Jorge and Susie found themselves working together often and built a strong friendship outside the workplace.If you take a look at their social media feeds (at least before 2020) you’ll see festive lobster boils, beautiful alfresco table settings, and very frequently, some savory images of Snake River Farms beef and pork.