The Delicious Flavor and Affordability of Carnes Ranchera for Grilling

The Tastiness and Affordability of Carnes Ranchera

When it comes to delicious and budget-friendly cuts of meat, carnes ranchera offer some of the best value around. Ranchera meat refers to cuts like flap meat, skirt steak, and hanger steak - flavorsome and relatively inexpensive beef cuts that are common in Mexican cuisine. With summer grilling season in full swing, carnes ranchera are a fantastic option for backyard BBQs, family dinners, and more. Read on to learn all about these underrated yet mouthwatering meat cuts!

What Is Carnes Ranchera?

Carnes ranchera translates from Spanish to "ranch-style meats." This refers to the cuts of beef that ranchers and cowboys would often cook up and eat while working on the ranch. These are not the expensive prime cuts like ribs, tenderloin, or strip steak. Rather, carnes ranchera consist of flavorful yet often overlooked parts of the cow, like the diaphragm, abdominal muscles, and pectoral muscles.

Some of the most common types of carnes ranchera include:

• Flap meat or flap steak
• Skirt steak
• Hanger steak
• Flank steak
• Bavette steak
• Ranch steak

These steak cuts come from the belly, flank, plate, and diaphragm sections of the cow. They tend to be thin steaks with a lot of rich beefy flavor thanks to their high levels of exercise during the cow's life. When prepared properly, carnes ranchera can be just as tender and delicious as premium steak cuts.

Benefits of Cooking with Carnes Ranchera

There are many excellent reasons to incorporate carnes ranchera into your cooking repertoire:

• Inexpensive - Compared to popular steaks like ribeye or New York strip, carnes ranchera cost a fraction of the price. You can often find these cuts for $6-8 per pound, whereas premium steaks can run $15 per pound or more.
• Flavorful - What carnes ranchera lack in tenderness, they more than make up for in beefy, juicy flavor. Their abundant marbling provides plenty of taste.
• Versatile - Flap meat, skirt steak, and hanger steak all grill, broil, pan-fry, and braise wonderfully. They work in everything from fajitas to stir fries.
• Healthy - Compared to highly marbled ribeyes, carnes ranchera are lower in fat and calories. They make a lighter yet still hearty option.
• Sustainable - Using affordable ranchera cuts reduces waste and helps the environment by utilizing the whole cow.

How to Cook Carnes Ranchera

Carnes ranchera benefit greatly from marination and quick, hot cooking methods. Marinating for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight will help tenderize the meat and add extra flavor. Opt for marinades with acidic ingredients like citrus, vinegar, or yogurt which will help break down tough muscle fibers.

Then, cook the steaks over high heat on the grill or stove top just until medium rare - this prevents them from toughening up. Other cooking methods like braising on low heat for hours also produces deliciously tender results.

Here are some excellent ways to make the most of carnes ranchera:

• Grilled carne asada tacos
• Skirt steak fajitas
• Marinated flap steak with chimichurri sauce
• Hanger steak stir fry
• Braised ranchera beef stew

Where to Find Affordable Carnes Ranchera

You can locate excellent deals on carnes ranchera at warehouse stores like Costco, Sam's Club, BJ's, and Food 4 Less. For instance, Food 4 Less currently has flap meat steaks on sale for only $6.99 per pound - an amazing bargain compared to premium steak prices.

Latin American markets and butcher shops also offer high quality ranchera cuts at budget prices due to their popularity in Mexican cuisine. And regular grocery stores will carry at least some carnes ranchera options like skirt or flank steak for very reasonable costs - just watch for weekly sales and promotions.

You may have to ask your butcher specifically for harder-to-find cuts like hanger, bavette, or ranch steaks. But the extra effort is worth it to enjoy these flavor-packed and wallet-friendly beef cuts. Shopping for carnes ranchera is a delicious way to save money on meat while still enjoying tender, protein-packed meals.

Tips for Cooking and Serving Carnes Ranchera

Once you get your hands on affordable carnes ranchera, you'll want to make sure you cook them correctly to enjoy their full flavorsome potential. Here are some top tips for preparing these budget-friendly beef cuts at home:

Always Marinate

A flavorful marinade is key to tenderizing carnes ranchera and adding extra taste. Opt for lots of acidity from citrus juices, vinegars, yogurt, wine, and more. You can also include spices, herbs, chili peppers, garlic, and oil for flavor. Marinate the meat anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight.

Use High Heat

Cooking carnes ranchera over high heat is imperative, whether grilling, broiling, searing in a pan, or stir frying. The high heat quickly sears the exterior to lock in juices while cooking the steak to no more than medium rare internally. This prevents toughening.

Slice Against the Grain

Cutting steak against the grain makes it more tender to chew. Look for the direction of the muscle fibers and slice crosswise perpendicular to them. For skirt and flap steak, be sure to separate the meat from the tough membrane first.

Let Meat Rest

Allowing carnes ranchera to rest after cooking enables the juices to redistribute evenly throughout the meat. Resting for 5-10 minutes results in a juicier, more evenly cooked steak. Tent the meat lightly with foil while resting.

Add Accompaniments

Warm tortillas, roasted veggies, beans, rice, chimichurri, salsa, guacamole, and lime wedges all make fantastic accompaniments to enhance carnes ranchera. These additions add texture, brightness, and cooling contrast to the savory beef.

Use Leftovers

Sliced carnes ranchera leftovers make amazing nacho toppings, breakfast burritos, salad additions, pizza toppings, sandwich fillings, and rice bowl protein. Get creative with leftovers!

Common Questions about Carnes Ranchera

What are some common cuts of carnes ranchera?

Common carnes ranchera cuts include flap meat, skirt steak, hanger steak, flank steak, bavette steak, and ranch steak. These thinner, flavorful steaks come from the belly, flank, plate, and diaphragm sections of the cow.

Why are carnes ranchera inexpensive compared to other steaks?

Carnes ranchera come from working muscle sections of the cow, rather than the premium rib and loin sections. They are lesser known cuts and were historically used for ground beef. Their low prices make them a budget-friendly steak option.

Should carnes ranchera be cooked to medium or medium rare?

Cooking carnes ranchera past medium rare can cause them to become tough and chewy. They are best enjoyed at medium rare to keep them moist and tender. Use high heat to quickly sear the exterior while leaving the inside pink.

What is a good marinade for carnes ranchera?

A good ranchera meat marinade contains acidic ingredients like citrus juice, vinegar, yogurt or buttermilk to help tenderize. Olive oil, garlic, cilantro, chili powder, cumin, and oregano also add excellent flavor. Marinate 30 minutes up to overnight.

Can you braise or slow cook carnes ranchera?

Yes, braising and slow cooking with liquids is another excellent way to cook ranchera cuts like flap and skirt steak. The long cooking times at low heat tenderizes the meat into fall-off-the-fork perfection.

Carnes ranchera offer big beefy flavor at budget prices. With proper marinating and quick hot cooking, these underappreciated cuts can be just as delicious as their premium counterparts. Savor affordable ranch-style steaks on the grill this summer!

FAQs

What are some common cuts of carnes ranchera?

Common carnes ranchera cuts include flap meat, skirt steak, hanger steak, flank steak, bavette steak, and ranch steak. These thinner, flavorful steaks come from the belly, flank, plate, and diaphragm sections of the cow.

Why are carnes ranchera inexpensive compared to other steaks?

Carnes ranchera come from working muscle sections of the cow, rather than the premium rib and loin sections. They are lesser known cuts and were historically used for ground beef. Their low prices make them a budget-friendly steak option.

How long should I marinate carnes ranchera?

For best results, marinate carnes ranchera cuts for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight. The acidic marinade helps tenderize the meat. Longer marinating times allow the flavor to penetrate deeper into the steak.

What's the best way to cook carnes ranchera?

Cooking over high heat, either grilling, broiling, pan searing, or stir frying is best. This creates a nice sear while cooking the steaks no more than medium rare inside. High heat prevents them from getting tough and chewy.

Can I freeze leftover carnes ranchera?

Yes, you can freeze sliced carnes ranchera leftovers for up to 2-3 months. Allow the meat to completely cool first, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap or freezer bags. Defrost in the refrigerator before re-heating to serve.