Sometimes, a special occasion tempts you to prepare an elegant dinner at home, or sometimes you just want to treat yourself with a delicious high-quality steak because you’re in the mood for a juicy piece of meat. Beef steaks can be a flavorful and satisfying main course for a special meal and there are many ways to prepare a beef steak, including grilling, pan-frying, broiling, and baking. As a Costco member, I always get nice deals at my local store, so meat is always in my fridge, but I’m not sure if I will jump into the controversy I’ll talk about here.
First, take note that cook time for a beef steak will depend on the thickness of the steak and the desired level of doneness. In my kitchen, for example, I have a meat thermometer to ensure that the steak is cooked to the desired temperature. You can make your own research to find out what’s the correct temperature for the cooking point you like.
Costco is bringing back this meat, and there are different opinions
I don’t know how much money you’re willing to spend on a delicious cut of meat, but Costco has sparked controversy recently by bringing back the world-famous Wagyu beef, an elegant, fancy type of meat that can be really, really expensive.
Wagyu is a type of high-quality beef that comes from Japan. It is known for its intense marbling, which refers to the amount of fat that is interspersed within the muscle tissue. This marbling results in a more tender and flavorful meat. It’s produced by breeding specific strains of cattle that are known for their ability to produce meat with high levels of marbling. These cattle are raised according to strict guidelines, which may include specific feed and housing requirements.
Sound delicious, right? Now comes the important question: how much are you willing to spend for a piece of meat? In November, Costco brought this meat back, and its A5 cut Japanese Wagyu New York Strip Steak is worth the impressive sum of $99 a pound. Is it too much money for one dinner, or is it worth every penny?
The retailer’s customers are divided: some say they are going to go out and get it right now, or that they are going to buy it as soon as they find it in the Costco refrigerators. Other members say that it’s too much money for a piece of meat that will end up in a frying pan with fried potatoes.
Costco’s Japanese New York Strip A5 Wagyu steak is not the only wagyu beef product you can purchase at Costco: you can find numerous products made out of thismeat, such as the 24-pack of artisanal Wagyu beef burgers priced at $109.99, or the 12-pound Wagyu A5 Japanese boneless ribeye roast available for $899.99. What do you think of the prices of these products?
How to perfectly cook a Wagyu steak
Usually, Wagyu beef is best when it is cooked using dry-heat methods, such as grilling, pan-frying, or broiling. It is important to not overcook Wagyu beef, as the high fat content can cause it to become tough if it is cooked for too long.
One way to cook Wagyu beef is by grilling it. To do this, preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Season the steak with salt and pepper, and any other desired seasonings. Place the steak on the grill and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer for desired doneness. Remove the steak from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Another way to cook Wagyu beef is by pan-frying it. To do this, preheat a heavy-bottomed pan (such as a cast-iron skillet) over medium-high heat. Season the steak with salt and pepper, and any other desired seasonings. Add a small amount of oil to the pan and swirl it around to coat the surface. Place the steak in the pan and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer for desired doneness. Remove the steak from the pan and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.