Savory and Succulent: The Best Slow-Cooked Wagyu Beef Cuts

April 26, 2024
Studio22

Wagyu beef, with its unparalleled marbling and exquisite flavour, is a culinary treasure that deserves to be celebrated in all its glory. While grilling and searing are popular methods for cooking Wagyu, slow-cooking offers a different approach that allows the meat to tenderise slowly, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture and a depth of flavour that is simply irresistible. In this guide, we’ll explore the art of slow-cooking Wagyu beef cuts, highlighting some of the best cuts for this cooking method and sharing mouthwatering recipes that will elevate your culinary repertoire.

The Beauty of Slow-Cooking Wagyu Beef

Slow cooking is a time-honoured technique that transforms tough cuts of meat into tender, flavourful masterpieces. By cooking Wagyu beef low and slow, you allow the fat to render gradually, infusing the meat with rich flavour and ensuring that it remains moist and juicy throughout the cooking process. Additionally, slow cooking breaks down tough connective tissues, resulting in meat that practically falls apart at the touch of a fork. Whether you’re simmering it in a hearty stew, braising it until it’s fork-tender, or roasting it to perfection, slow-cooked Wagyu beef is guaranteed to impress even the most discerning palate.

Choosing the Best Slow-Cooked Wagyu Beef Cuts

Not all Wagyu beef cuts are created equal when it comes to slow cooking. While some cuts excel in the high heat of grilling and searing, others shine when subjected to the gentle heat of a slow cooker or oven.
Here are some of the best Wagyu beef cuts for slow cooking:

Chuck Roast:

Known for its rich marbling and deep beefy flavour, the chuck roast is a classic choice for slow cooking.
Braising or roasting the chuck roast low and slow results in meat that is tender, succulent, and bursting with flavour.

Short Ribs:

Wagyu short ribs are a favourite among chefs for slow-cooking due to their generous marbling and rich, beefy taste.
Braising the short ribs in a flavourful liquid until they’re fall-off-the-bone tender is a surefire way to create a memorable meal.

Brisket:

Wagyu brisket, with its ample marbling and hearty texture, is perfect for slow cooking.
Whether smoked for hours on end or braised until it’s fork-tender, Wagyu brisket is a crowd-pleaser that never fails to impress.

Shank:

Wagyu shank, while less common, is a hidden gem that shines when slow-cooked.
Braising the shank in a savory broth until it’s fork-tender brings out its rich, beefy flavour and yields meat that practically melts in your mouth.

Mouthwatering Slow-Cooked Wagyu Beef Recipes

Now that you’ve selected the perfect Wagyu beef cuts for slow cooking, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get cooking! Here are some mouthwatering recipes to inspire your culinary endeavours:

Classic Wagyu Beef Pot Roast

Ingredients:

3-4 lbs Wagyu chuck roast
2 onions, sliced.
4 carrots, chopped.
4 celery stalks, chopped.
4 garlic cloves, minced.
2 cups beef broth
1 cup red wine
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 sprigs fresh thyme
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Season the chuck roast generously with salt and pepper.
In a large Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat and brown the chuck roast on all sides. Remove and set aside.
In the same pot, add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in tomato paste and cook for another minute.
Return the chuck roast to the pot and add beef broth, red wine, and thyme sprigs. Bring to a simmer.
Cover and transfer to a preheated oven at 160°C. Cook for 3-4 hours or until the meat is fork tender.
Serve the pot roast with the vegetables and pan juices.

Braised Wagyu Short Ribs

Ingredients:

4 lbs Wagyu short ribs
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, chopped.
4 carrots, chopped.
4 celery stalks, chopped.
4 garlic cloves, minced.
2 cups beef broth
1 cup red wine
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
2 sprigs fresh thyme

Instructions:

Season the short ribs generously with salt and pepper.
In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and brown the short ribs on all sides. Remove and set aside.
In the same pot, add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in tomato paste and cook for another minute.
Return the short ribs to the pot and add beef broth, red wine, rosemary, and thyme.
Cover and transfer to a preheated oven at 160°C. Cook for 2-3 hours or until the meat is fork tender.
Serve the short ribs with mashed potatoes or creamy polenta.

Slow-cooked Wagyu Beef Brisket

Ingredients:

4-5 lbs Wagyu beef brisket
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, sliced.
4 garlic cloves, minced.
2 cups beef broth
1 cup barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions:

Season the brisket generously with salt and pepper.
In a large Dutch oven or slow cooker, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and brown the brisket on all sides. Remove and set aside.
In the same pot, add onions and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in beef broth, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce.
Return the brisket to the pot and spoon the sauce over the top.
Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours in a slow cooker or in a preheated oven at 150°C for 4-6 hours, or until the meat is fork tender.
Slice the brisket against the grain and serve with the sauce.

Slow-cooking Wagyu beef cuts rewards patience and technique with tender, flavourful results that are sure to impress. Whether you’re simmering a pot roast until it’s falling apart or braising short ribs until they’re melt-in-your-mouth tender, slow-cooked Wagyu beef is a feast for the senses that elevates any meal from ordinary to extraordinary. So why not fire up the slow cooker or preheat the oven, and treat yourself to the savory and succulent delights of slow-cooked Wagyu beef? Your taste buds will thank you!