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BEEF · Cut

Chuck

Neck & shoulder · paleron · aguja

At a glance
3 min read

Share this cut map before the market trip or holiday cook.

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Chuck
JoeSmack at English Wikipedia · Public domain

A bundle of working muscles running from the shoulder into the neck. The grain is coarse and it carries a lot of connective tissue, but simmer it long enough and that tissue melts into gelatin and gives you the deepest broth on the animal. It is also the standard cut for thin-sliced barbecue.

Profile

Tenderness42
Marbling58
Umami74
Price38

Pairs with

Braising88
Soups & stews80
Grilling55

Recommended cooking

68°C+Cook it through

Too much connective tissue to serve pink — this cut rewards time, not precision. Sliced thin it grills; cubed it stews.

How to pick it

Look for even red muscle with minimal white sheets of membrane running through it. Heavily seamed pieces are better bought for stew.

Signature dishes

Grading & naming

Often sold as chuck roll; USDA grade follows the carcass, not this primal alone.

Grading systems →

Nutrition · Per 100 g raw edible portion

250kcalCalories
18.7gProtein
19.2gFat
7.6gSaturated fat

Calories & protein →

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Temperatures are guidance for whole-muscle cuts. Ground meat and poultry need 71°C / 160°F throughout.