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What cut of meat is shaved beef?

Shaved beef is a thin sliced cut of beef, typically top round or bottom round, that has been shaved or sliced very thinly against the grain. It is a versatile and lean cut of meat that is often used for sandwiches, philly cheesesteaks, or dishes like beef stroganoff.

Origins of Shaved Beef

Shaved beef originated as a way to take inexpensive tougher cuts of beef and turn them into a tasty and tender product. By slicing the meat very thinly against the grain, the cuts are broken down mechanically to become more tender. This also increases the surface area which allows the meat to absorb flavors and juices better.

The technique became popular for Italian beef sandwiches in Chicago in the early 1900s when Italian immigrants would shave inexpensive beef to stretch it farther and absorb the juices from roasted peppers. It also became popular on philly cheesesteaks which originated in Philadelphia around the 1930s.

Cuts of Beef Used for Shaved Beef

The most common cuts of beef used for shaved beef include:

  • Top round – This is from the round or rear leg of the cow. It is a lean, budget-friendly cut.
  • Bottom round – Also from the round/rear leg. Slightly fattier than top round.
  • Eye of round – From the rear leg, even leaner than top round.
  • Rump roast – This is from the rump of the cow. It has a bit more fat marbling.

These cuts are inexpensive cuts that are low in fat. While not naturally tender, they become tender and soak up flavor when sliced paper-thin against the grain. Higher fat cuts like ribeye are sometimes shaved but less common.

How Shaved Beef is Prepared

Shaved beef begins with a whole roast or steak from the round or rump. It is then prepared by:

  1. Seasoning the meat: The beef is often seasoned simply with just salt and pepper. Italian style shaved beef uses oregano, basil, garlic.
  2. Roasting: The meat is roasted slowly for a few hours until medium rare doneness. This helps break down connective tissue.
  3. Cooling: The meat is cooled which firms it up for easier slicing.
  4. Thin slicing: Using a sharp knife, deli slicer, or mandoline, the meat is sliced as thinly as possible against the grain.

Slices should be paper-thin, ideally around 1/16 of an inch thick. Thinner slices make the meat more tender. The grain of the muscle fibers should be sliced against to sever the fibers for tenderness.

How Shaved Beef is Used

Because it is so thin and tender, shaved beef is ideal for:

  • Sandwiches – Italian beef, philly cheesesteak, French dip
  • Tacos and burritos – As a filling along with veggies and cheese
  • Nachos – Piled high over tortilla chips and melty cheese
  • Pizzas – Added on top of pizza and heated through
  • Salads – In chef or Cobb salads for added protein
  • Omelets and breakfast burritos – for a meaty morning meal
  • Stroganoff – Simmered in a creamy sauce over noodles
  • Fajitas and stir fry – Quick cooking with strips of bell peppers and onions

Because it is so lean and tender, shaved beef can be added to dishes at the end to just heat through and soak up flavors. Slow moist cooking methods that would make regular beef tough only serve to make shaved beef more tender. It’s an inexpensive trick to make affordable cuts taste delicious!

Advantages of Shaved Beef

Some key advantages to using shaved beef include:

  • Tender and flavorful – The thin slices become very tender and absorb sauces and seasonings well.
  • Lower fat than ground beef – Shaved roasts are a healthier lean alternative to greasy hamburger.
  • Inexpensive – Made from budget-friendly round and rump cuts.
  • Versatile – Easy to use in everything from sandwiches to tacos to eggs.
  • Easy to prepare – Just slice a seasoned roasted roast very thinly against the grain.

Conclusion

In summary, shaved beef refers to paper-thin slices of whole roasted beef from inexpensive round or rump cuts. It originated as a way to make tough cuts tender and flavorful and is ideal for sandwiches, tacos, pizzas, salads, and more. While inexpensive, it is lean and absorbs seasonings and juices well. So next time you see shaved beef as an option, take advantage of this tender and versatile cut!