Animal Science Cuts of Meat
A.Beef, pork, lamb and goat animals that are processed before 2 years of age typically yield higher quality meat. Older animals are also processed, but quality of meat is usually lower. General Meat Carcass Information
B.After following humane guidelines for stunning an animal, the carcass is bled out and hung upside down on a rail for further processing. General Meat Carcass Information
C.Animals are initially processed into wholesale or “primal” cuts. These wholesale cuts are then broken into either subprimal cuts and/or a variety of retail cuts. General Meat Carcass Information
1.Beef Example i.Wholesale/Primal: chuck. General Meat Carcass Information
ii.Subprimal: blade. General Meat Carcass Information
iii.Retail: blade steak. General Meat Carcass Information
2.Pork Example i.Wholesale/Primal: loin. General Meat Carcass Information
ii.Subprimal: tenderloin. General Meat Carcass Information
iii.Retail: loin chops. General Meat Carcass Information
Cuts of beef
A.Wholesale/Primal 1.High Value- loin, rib, round, rump. Cuts of beef
2.Low Value- chuck, brisket, flank, plate or navel, shank. Cuts of beef
B.Retail 1.High Value a.Ribeye from rib. Cuts of beef
b.Tenderloin from loin. Cuts of beef
c.Sirloin from loin. Cuts of beef
d.Rump from rump. Cuts of beef
E. T-bone from loin. Cuts of beef
2.Low Value- stew beef, ground beef, cubed steak, brisket Cuts of beef
Cuts of Pork
A.Wholesale/Primal Cuts 1.High Value- loin, leg or ham, picnic shoulder, Boston shoulder or shoulder. butt. The ham, loin, picnic shoulder and Boston shoulder make up about 75% of the retail value of a carcass. Cuts of Pork
2.Low Value- spareribs or belly, feet, jowl, backfat, spareribs or side, bacon. Cuts of Pork
B.Retail 1.High Value i. Ham from leg. Cuts of Pork
ii.Loin. Cuts of Pork
iii.Pork chops from loin. Cuts of Pork
iv.Boston butt from shoulder. Cuts of Pork
v.Picnic from shoulder. Cuts of Pork
2.Low Value- hocks, spareribs, belly, bacon, jowl, fatback. Cuts of Pork
Cuts of Poultry
A.Poultry are not classified into wholesale and retail cuts like pork and beef because of the size of the carcass. Cuts of Poultry
B.The USDA sets standards for “ready to cook” chicken and turkeys whether they are sold whole or as parts/cuts of poultry. Cuts of Poultry
C.Parts include: poultry halves, breast, leg thigh, drumstick, wing and tenderloin Poultry Halves Cuts of Poultry
Chicken Breast
Leg thigh
Drumstick
Wing
Tenderloin