Angus beef, I bet you must have heard of it before as the merchant will definitely label the beef if it is Angus. It has become the synonym of high quality beef nowadays. But do you know what it really is? And is it really better? Here is the complete guide of Angus Beef for you! Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
What Is Angus Beef? Where Do They Come From?
Angus is actually the name of a cattle breed but not exactly equal to high quality beef. This breed originated from Scotland and was exported to the United States in the 1870s. Soon after the arrival, the American Angus Association was founded in order to enhance the genetics of the Angus breed.
Although Angus beef does not directly mean better quality, they do have a bunch of advantages thanks to their exceptional genes. For example, Angus beef tends to have a nicer marbling than most of the regular beef which delivers a melt-in-the-mouth texture.
Apart from the fine meat quality, Angus beef is also great for farmers. This is because they are calm and do not require much maintenance but also mature fast.
Consequently, Angus has been highly favored by gourmets and ranchers. And that’s why it has become the most popular breed in the U.S. now.
Black vs Red: What’s The Difference?
The most obvious difference between Black Angus and Red Angus is their color of skin. As their names stated, they are black and dark red respectively. The initial Angus is black but their resistance to the drought is not preferable. Therefore, the farmers crossbred them with English Longhorns to get the red skin. The reddish color makes the Red Angus less likely to get sunburn.
Yet, a breeder called Hugh Watson decided to keep the original color and so Black Angus were saved. Nowadays, Black Angus accounted for the majority for nearly 75% of Angus beef. In fact, they are identical except for the color of skin.
Is Angus Beef Better?
The quality of beef refers to various aspects of the meat such as marbling, tenderness, juiciness and so on. In the United States, quality of beef is indicated by the USDA beef grading system which divides beef into 8 different grades. The best three grades that can be used as steaks are USDA Prime, Choice, Select, with Prime being the finest. Angus beef is graded under this grading system as well.
As stated previously, this breed tends to have a more beautiful marbling than most of the other beef breeds. Marbling is literally the intramuscular fat that has a lower melting point. When it starts to melt, it coats the muscle fibers and creates a juicy and tender beef with rich buttery mouthfeel.
However, it doesn’t mean Angus must be superior to others. Only the grade shows how good it is. Angus beef with USDA Prime is definitely the best (only 2% of the Angus is graded with Prime) while Select Angus is not as good as the former. So bear in mind that you always choose by grades but not only the breed.
► Read More: 6 Beef Grading Systems In the World (with Complete Chart)
What Is Certified Angus Beef (CAB)?
Certified Angus Beef (CAB) is a label for the truly outstanding Angus. It is a nonprofit brand owned by the American Angus Association for the sake of recognizing the best Angus beef.
The first step of picking the appropriate Angus is screening by their grades. Only the Angus with USDA Prime or Choice grades will be considered to have the label, beef with lower grade would be kicked out immediately. This is only the basic criteria, the beef is then further inspected according to 10 science-based specifications.
In other words, Angus beef with this CAB label means it is under a much stricter screening than the regular beef. Only 3% of Angus reaches these standards and crown this prestigious CAB label. This guarantees that you will get Angus with the best quality.
Is Angus Beef Healthy? (Nutrition Facts)
Here comes the good news, Angus beef is healthy and nutritious!
1. Great Amount of Protein
Same as other beef, it contains a great amount of protein. There are 22g of protein in 3 oz of Angus beef. Protein is essential for building and repairing muscles and other body tissues. Also, it can boost metabolism and fat burning rate which is helpful for weight loss.
2. Heathy Fat
Other than rich protein, it is also a good source of fat. Although it is quite fatty since the beef is well-marbled, the fat is beneficial to our health. Marbling is a kind of unsaturated fat which helps reduce the bad cholesterol level and the risk of high blood pressure. Yet, it is still a kind of fat and consuming too much will harm our health. So do not overdose it. Alternatively, you can select the grass-fed Angus beef which is leaner than the regular Angus. The price you have to pay is less marbling you can enjoy but it is flavorful as well.
► Read More: Grass Fed Beef vs Grain Fed Beef | Where to Buy Grass Fed Beef?
3. Rich Vitamins and Minerals
Moreover, Angus beef contains rich vitamins B and minerals such as iron and zinc. Iron is to produce red blood cells while zinc is important for the immune system and metabolism.
Here is the nutrition data of Angus beef per 3 oz / 85 g serving:
| Calories | 247 |
| Total fat | 17 g |
| Saturated fat | 6.6 g |
| Monounsaturated fat | 7.2 g |
| Cholesterol | 74 mg |
| Protein | 22 g |
What Cuts Should You Order? (Angus Beef Chart)
Besides breed and grade, cut is also an important factor that affects the quality of beef. In fact, there are numerous delicious cuts that I bet you will love. But in order not to make this article wordy, I will just introduce some of my favorite cuts of beef below.
For a more detailed introduction of various beef cuts, check this post.
1. Angus Beef Ribeye Steak
Ribeye is the best to try a new type of beef because it is all-rounded. This cut comes from the rib primal which the muscles do not use frequently. As a result, Ribeye is incredibly well-marbled, tender and juicy. The Angus Ribeye is even more flavorful which is doubtlessly on the list of our favorite cuts.
2. Angus Beef Tenderloin
Tenderloin is the most tender cut among an entire cattle. However, it is lean and does not contain much marbling. Plus, it is mild in flavor. If you prefer to enjoy a flavorful and melt-in-the-mouth texture, opt for Ribeye. But if you emphasize the tenderness of beef, tenderloin is definitely your choice!
3. Angus Beef Prime Rib Roast
Prime Rib Roast is the best cut for parties and holidays. This huge cut can feed the crowd fulfillingly, 1 bone could serve for 2 people in estimation. Prime Rib is the cut from ribs number six to twelve. It actually can be sliced into pieces of Ribeye Steaks and so Prime Rib also has a wonderful marbling and great tenderness similarly. Roasting it in an oven for several hours will give a mouth-watering result, check the following recipe!
4. Angus Beef Short Ribs
The matchless combination of meat, fat and bone is the reason why I love Short Ribs a lot. The great deal of meat satisfies me while the appropriate portions of fat and marrow-filled bone enrich the flavor. If you want to enjoy the big bites of meat solely, pick the boneless short ribs.
5. Angus Beef Flank Steak
Flank Steak is not as famous as the above steak cuts but it is certainly a good cut. It is a single muscle from the belly of cattle that constantly moves. Hence, the Flank is robustly flavored but also contains quite a lot of connective tissue. Yet, this also makes it a nice option for marinades. Using fruit marinades can improve the mouthfeel by breaking down the connective tissues, and sous vide it for hours. Then, you will get an amazing beef dish! Flank steak is easy to carve and serve thanks to its broad shape, but make sure you cut against the grain.
Many other cuts of Angus beef are scrumptious as well. Try to explore more and you will discover the secret treasure!
Summary
Now you know much deeper about Angus Beef. And I strongly suggest you to try at least once if you haven’t tried it before. You will get the unprecedented experience of taste that tickles your taste buds!
► Read More: Learn Wagyu Beef In 10 Minutes | The Finest Beef In The World
► Read More: Dry Aged Beef: What Is It? How to Cook? Where To Buy?
It’s nice that you talked about how Angus beef contains a great amount of protein. I’ve always been interested about Angus beef and wondered what’s so good about it. Also, from what I’ve heard, it seems they are being specifically raised by Angus cattle breeders.