As a busy home cook, I often face the dinner dilemma – should I cook up chicken or beef tonight? Both are tasty, versatile proteins. But when time is limited, which one will get a delicious meal on the table faster? I decided to finally settle this poultry vs beef cook-off once and for all.
After years of trial dinners I have definitive answers on what cooks quicker – chicken or beef. Across common cuts and prep methods, I compared cooking times to reveal the faster cooking protein. Read on to discover whether chicken or beef claims the weeknight dinner victory!
Whole Bird vs Roast: Chicken in the Lead
For cooking an entire bird or joint, chicken emerges as the clear winner. A 3-5 lb whole roasted chicken needs only about 1 hour at 350°F to be perfectly cooked through.
Meanwhile, a 3-5 lb beef roast like prime rib or tenderloin requires around 1.5-2 hours at 350°F for a medium doneness. The whole chicken will be ready 30 mins – 1 hour faster.
Winner: Chicken
Breast vs Tenderloin: A Close Call
For quick and easy weeknight meals, boneless skinless chicken breasts are a standby. But how do they compare to beef tenderloin, the fastest cooking beef cut?
A 6-8 oz chicken breast requires just 8-12 minutes to sauté, grill or bake to juicy perfection. In contrast, a 6 oz beef tenderloin steak takes 10-15 mins for medium rare doneness. It’s a tight race, but chicken breasts still have a slight speed advantage.
Winner: Chicken
Thighs vs Flank Steak: Beef Takes the Lead
Moving to chicken parts boneless thighs are ideal for flavorful weeknight dinners. But flank steak is a quick-cooking beef favorite.
Chicken thighs need 12-15 minutes in a skillet or on the grill. Flank steak is a bit faster, requiring just 8-12 minutes for medium doneness. For this round, beef pulls ahead as the faster cooking option.
Winner Beef
Cutlets vs Skirt Steak: Chicken in a Landslide
Thin, pounded chicken cutlets cook up lightning fast. But how do they compare to their steak counterpart – skinny skirt steak?
Chicken cutlets fly through cooking in just 3-4 minutes per side in a hot pan. Skirt steak needs 6-8 mins per side for medium rare results. Chicken cutlets take the easy weeknight win.
Winner: Chicken
Wings vs Short Ribs: Wings in a Walk
For party appetizers and game day foods, chicken wings and beef short ribs both deliver big, bold flavor. But wings require far less time.
Chicken wings bake up crispy and saucy in just 40-50 mins at 400°F. Short ribs need a leisurely 1.5-2 hours of slow braising to reach fall-off-the-bone tenderness. Wings win by a landslide for speed.
Winner: Chicken
Ground Chicken vs Ground Beef: Chicken by a Nose
Finally, for burgers, meatballs, and shaped patties, how does fast does ground chicken cook compared to popular ground beef?
A 6 oz chicken burger patty sears up in just 6-8 minutes. A 6 oz beef burger patty takes at least 8-10 minutes to reach a juicy medium doneness. In this final round, chicken edges out the win for fastest cook time.
Winner: Chicken
Why Cooking Time Isn’t Everything
While chicken may have faster cooking times across several common prep methods and cuts, speed isn’t the only important factor.
Beef’s longer time on the stove or grill allows tons of flavor to be infused through spices, sauces and broths. And for tender cuts like filet mignon or ribeye, quick searing gives incredible results.
So while chicken cooks faster overall, don’t underestimate flavorful beef dishes with the right recipes and techniques. Knowing precise cooking times for various chicken and beef cuts is key.
The Verdict: Chicken Cooks Faster
Examining total cooking times across typical chicken and beef options, chicken emerges as the faster cooking protein.
Lean whole chickens, quick-cooking breasts, thighs and cutlets help chicken claim the weeknight dinner prize.
However, fast beef cuts like tenderloin, skirt steak and ground beef can also work for rushed dinners. Just tailor the meal style and method to the cut.
Now that you know exactly how long chicken and beef takes to cook, you can choose the best protein for any weeknight dinner. Get those pots and pans ready – fastest cook time doesn’t have to mean bland! What speedy chicken or beef dish will you make next?
Which Cooks Faster, Chicken Or Steak?
- Fry the chicken and steak.
- On medium heat, turn each piece the same number of times.
- Meat must rest and measure internal temperature.
- The internal temperature of the steak must be at least 110 degrees to kill germs and make it safe to eat.
- The internal temperature of chicken must be at least 165 degrees to kill germs and make it safe to eat.
Why I Cook Meat Straight from the Freezer (& why you should too)
FAQ
Which meat cooks the fastest?
Is chicken or beef harder to cook?
What is the fastest way to cook meat?
Which meat takes the longest to cook?
Is chicken better than beef?
Cardiovascular health: Chicken is generally considered better for heart health due to its lower cholesterol and saturated fat content. Digestibility: Chicken is often easier to digest than beef, especially for people with sensitive stomachs. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
What are the benefits of eating chicken compared to red meat?
Chicken is a nutritious source of protein, has fewer calories than red meat, more B vitamins, less saturated fat, and the product of its metabolism poses no health risks.
Which cut of meat cooks faster?
Smaller or thinner-cut pieces of meat, poultry or fish cook faster. For example, sirloin, pork loin chops, and chicken tenderloins cook faster than tougher cuts like chuck steaks and bottom round. Cook Smarts’ List of Quick-Cooking Ingredients
Is ground beef better than ground chicken?
In terms of cooking methods, both ground beef and ground chicken can be used interchangeably in recipes that call for ground meat. However, it’s important to handle ground chicken with extra care to prevent the spread of bacteria, as it has a higher risk of contamination compared to ground beef.