Do you like meat and want to serve a tasty and healthy cut of beef at your next family dinner?
This article will go over everything you need to know about this delicious cut of meat, from where it comes from to how it tastes.
Yearling beef roast refers to roasts from cattle that are between 1-2 years old. Compared to beef from mature cattle, yearling beef offers some advantages like being more tender and lean yet flavorful. If you’ve seen “yearling beef roast” at the store but aren’t sure exactly what cut it comes from, this article provides the details.
Understanding Yearling Cattle
The term “yearling” refers to young cattle that are no longer feeding on milk but are also not yet full adults. Specifically, yearling cattle are between 1-2 years of age. Here are some key points about yearling beef:
- Raised for beef production, not dairy cows
- After weaning off milk, they eat grass and grain
- Smaller in size than mature cattle
- Meat is leaner with less fat marbling
- More tender due to less connective tissue
- Milder in flavor compared to older beef
Yearling beef provides a tasty and economical alternative to mature beef The smaller cuts like roasts are perfectly suited for family meals.
What Are the Cuts Used for Yearling Beef Roast?
While yearling cattle are smaller, the cuts of meat are still based on the same primal regions as mature beef. Here are the most common cuts used for yearling beef roast:
Chuck Roast
- From the shoulder region
- Contains connective tissue but is still fairly tender
- Benefits from moist cooking methods
Rump Roast
- Taken from the rounded rump area
- A lean, flavorful roast with minimal fat
- Can be roasted or braised
Round Roast
- Originates from the hind leg round
- Very lean with no marbling
- Stays moist when braised or cooked in liquid
Sirloin Tip Roast
- From the sirloin primal near the hip
- Little marbling but lots of beefy flavor
- Cook quickly by roasting to prevent drying out
Top Round Roast
- Part of the leg where muscles get exercised
- Extremely lean and mildly flavored
- Requires moist cooking technique
How Are Yearling Beef Roasts Different than Prime Rib?
Prime rib roast comes specifically from the rib section and has generous marbling Yearling roasts come from other areas like the chuck, rump or round Yearling roasts need special care because they contain less fat but have more moisture. Slow roasting or braising prevents them from drying out. A prime rib roast can be roasted more quickly at high heat due to its fat content.
Cooking Methods for Yearling Beef Roast
To yield tender, juicy results, yearling beef roasts require some special care:
- Roast small roasts quickly at 450°F to seal in juices
- Use lower 250-300°F oven for larger roasts
- Braise lean roasts in small amount of liquid
- Roast fattier cuts uncovered at 300-325°F
- Allow roasts to rest 15 minutes before slicing
Moist-heat cooking methods like braising or roasting with liquid keep the lean meat from drying out. Frequent basting also helps replace moisture lost on the surface.
Let roasts rest after cooking so the juices redistribute evenly throughout the meat Always slice across the grain for a tender texture
Sample Cooking Times for Yearling Beef Roast
To ensure yearling roasts cook to the proper internal temperature without overcooking, follow these general guidelines:
- 2 lb roast at 300°F: 1 1⁄4 to 1 1⁄2 hours
- 3 lb roast at 300°F: 1 1⁄2 to 2 hours
- 4 lb roast at 300°F: 2 to 2 1⁄4 hours
- 5 lb roast at 300°F: 2 1⁄4 to 2 1⁄2 hours
Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check for doneness instead of relying just on time. Remove from oven when it reaches 135°F for medium-rare or 150°F for medium doneness. The temperature will continue rising slightly as it rests.
Getting the Most Out of Yearling Beef Roast
To enjoy tender, budget-friendly yearling roast at its best:
- Choose a small, uniform roast for easier cooking
- Season well with salt, pepper and herbs
- Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking
- Let roast rest before slicing for juicy results
- Make gravy from the flavorful pan drippings
With proper preparation, yearling beef roast delivers tasty, tender meat at an affordable price that can please the whole family.
Nutritional Benefits Of Yearling Beef Roast
Apart from being delicious, yearling beef roast also offers a number of nutritional benefits. It is a rich source of B vitamins, specifically niacin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. These vitamins function as coenzymes, which are necessary for enzymes to do their jobs. In that role, they help convert food into energy.
Niacin, in particular, is known to lower cholesterol and may also lower the risk of dying from a heart attack. The vitamins B6 and B12 take out of the blood an amino acid called homocysteine by changing it into other good things. Even though homocysteine is a normal byproduct of important chemical reactions, it raises the risk of heart disease if it stays in the blood for a long time.
A three-ounce serving of roasted yearling beef roast gives you 37% of your daily vitamin B12 needs and 50% of your every day vitamin B6 needs. This makes it an excellent choice for those looking to incorporate more B vitamins into their diet.
Additionally, yearling beef roast is a great source of protein. It contains all nine essential amino acids that the body needs to build and maintain muscle tissue. Protein is also important for maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails.
What Cut Is Yearling Beef Roast?
A popular cut of beef that can be roasted and served as the main dish at a family dinner is yearling beef roast. But what exactly is it?.
What is yearling beef roast? It comes from the back leg of a cow that is one to two years old. This cut is very lean and has almost no fat marbling. It is also called the girello or beef round.
While some might think that the lack of fat would make the meat dry and tough, when cooked right, yearling beef roast is actually very tender and full of flavor.
How to Cook Perfect Roast Beef | Jamie Oliver
FAQ
Is yearling beef good for roasting?
What is yearling beef?
What is the best cut of beef for a roast beef?
What is yearling beef topside?
What is yearling beef roast?
Economical – Yearling beef costs less than beef from grain-finished, mature cattle. The smaller size of the cuts also helps reduce cost. Yearling beef roast offers great value for a tender, lean family meal. Let’s look at what specific cut it comes from and how to cook it. What Cut is Yearling Beef Roast?
What cuts are used for yearling beef roast?
Chuck roast, rump roast, round roast, sirloin tip roast and top round roast are common cuts used for yearling beef roast. Is yearling beef roast the same as a prime rib roast?
How do you cook a yearling beef roast?
Here are some tips for cooking yearling beef roast to juicy, fork-tender perfection: Choose a cooking method that matches the leanness. Moist-heat braising or cooking in liquid works best for leaner cuts to prevent them from drying out. Fattier roasts can be oven-roasted. Roast small cuts at high heat.
Where does a yearling Chuck Roast come from?
Yearling beef roast typically comes from one of these cuts: This comes from the shoulder region and contains a good amount of connective tissue. A yearling chuck roast is still fairly tender but benefits from slow, moist cooking to break down the collagen into gelatin and keep it juicy.