Chef Justin Timineri Shares Tips and Tricks for Cooking with Florida Beef

In partnership with: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Ranchers in the Sunshine State provide some of the most delicious cuts of Florida beef available in local markets. It’s a summertime standard to cook burgers or steaks on the grill, but apartment dwellers or those unfamiliar with a grill don’t have to miss out. You can achieve great flavor using just a cast-iron pan and a stove.

“I do love a grilled steak, but we cook quite a bit indoors,” says Justin Timineri, State Chef and Culinary Ambassador. “If I have a good cut of steak, I’ll be putting it in a cast-iron grill pan on the stove. I’ll be serving it with a fresh herb and garlic chimichurri or some compound butter. I can make a sauce by deglazing the pan with a pat of butter, and then I’ll serve it with a nice fresh salad.”

Serving fresh greens or vegetables grown right here in Florida with a decadent steak or other cut of beef provides an excellent balance of flavors and nutrients.

See more: Yee Farms in Florida Supplies Consumers With Fresh Asian Vegetables

Savor the Flavor

Timineri recognizes that many people’s budgets are tight. Entrees of all kinds can run up a household grocery bill, so he recommends everyone make the most of delicious Florida beef.

“First, pay attention when you’re shopping and make sure you’re using up all your leftovers so that the beef you buy goes as far as possible,” Timineri says. “I also try not to go shopping with a super-set idea of what’s for dinner. I leave myself many options and choices based on what cut of meat is on sale and what I can do with it.”

If you’re fairly new to cooking steak, it’s important to familiarize yourself with all the cuts of steak and pricing so you can know a good deal when you see one, just like Timineri does.

“I love a ribeye, and it’s my go-to steak, but one of the most flavorful steaks I had lately was hanger steak,” Timineri says. “We cook all kinds of cuts, so keep an eye out for other, less expensive cuts, like tri-tip, sirloin and flank steak.”

Once you have your cut of choice, focus on the proper preparation to achieve your preferred level of doneness.

“Get familiar with cooking temperatures and use an internal-read thermometer to raise your cooking confidence,” Timineri says.

See more: Rural and Family Lands Protection Program Safeguards Florida’s Food Supply

Benefiting the Community

Florida’s unique climate helps enhance the flavor of local beef. Stringent safety and quality standards ensure freshness and value, making Florida beef a great choice for any family or budget.

When you find beef with the “Fresh From Florida” logo, you can feel confident that you’re supporting a Florida rancher. Getting to know your purveyor, whether that’s your butcher at the grocery store or at a local farmers market, is a great way to make sure you have access to the best food while also benefiting your local community.

Floridians have this incredible source of flavor and protein right in their own backyard.

“When we’re buying beef from Florida, we know that those dollars we spend stay in the state, and they go to our hard-working ranchers.” Timineri says. “Making sure that we vote with our dollars that go to them is phenomenal support.”

See more: Cost-Conscious Tips to Make the Most of Seasonal Produce From Chef Justin Timineri