Chuck steak is a cut of beef and is part of the sub-prime cut known as the chuck.
Should I Buy a Chuck Roast or Chuck Steak?
Ultimately, the choice is yours! If you want single steaks that you can marinate and pan sear, then chuck steaks are the way to go. But if you’re looking forward to cooking a pot roast in the Crock Pot or in the oven in a roasting pan with some potatoes and veggies, the chuck roast is the best option. You might also save a bit of money buying a chuck roast and cutting it into steaks yourself if you feel confident in doing so.
For more steak buying tips and helpful information, head to Steak University.
Chuck Roast vs Chuck Steak: 4 Important Differences
To sum up the information above: the chuck roast is a larger cut from the chuck (shoulder) area of the cow, while the chuck steak is a portion cut from the chuck roast. Now, we’ll go into more detail about some of the things that set these two beef cut options apart.
Because the chuck roast is a roast, it usually gets used more like a roast. You might hear it referred to as a shoulder roast, too, since it comes from the shoulder area. This beef cut is one of the most popular options for pot roast, which often gets cooked in the slow cooker for hours. With a slow cook, the beef becomes very tender while holding in its flavor. It’s also an excellent option for roasting or slow cooking and cutting into stew meat.
Chuck steak, on the other hand, more often gets used for individual steaks, although some people pick up a chuck roast and slice it into steaks themselves. But, if you’re not comfortable doing that, picking up already-cut chuck steaks at the supermarket can save you some time and headache.
The texture of both cuts is the same before you cook them because they’re the same type of meat. They’re a little tougher than a beef rib roast or round roast, and nowhere near as delicate as filet mignon because they come from a very different part of the animal. You can compare it more to the texture of the rump roast.
Where the differences in texture come into play is after you cook a chuck roast or chuck steak. Chuck roast is typically cooked over a long period on low heat, resulting in a tender roast when finished. Chuck steak usually doesn’t get the same treatment. It’s often pan-seared and finished off for just a couple of minutes in the oven.
The key to keeping chuck steak tender is by marinating it for several hours before cooking, or by basting it while it cooks to lock in juices. Some people also tenderize the meat with a meat tenderizer before cooking it.
Again, the flavor differences between these two cuts come from the cooking methods you use for them. In general, chuck meat is very full-flavored and beefy — one of the reasons some people prefer it over others. The intense flavor remains no matter how you cook it.
But if you’re going to pan-sear chuck steak and slow cook a chuck roast, the flavor is going to turn out different. With marinades and basting in use on a chuck steak and gravy or broth used on a roast, the end result will also vary. No matter what, expect deliciousness on your plate.
The prices of meat fluctuate a lot, so it’s almost impossible to pinpoint the price of each. Where you live and seasons can both affect the final price you’ll pay. But generally, you can expect chuck steak and chuck roast to be relatively similar in price and more affordable than ribeyes.
However, chuck steaks might be slightly higher per pound, simply because they take more time for the butcher to cut from a roast. While some stores may keep them the same price per pound, others might mark steaks up by $0.50 to $1 per pound.
The Ultimate Beef Pot Roast Comparison! The Bearded Butchers
FAQ
What animal is chuck roast from?
What kind of roast is a chuck roast?
Is roast beef pork or cow?
Is the chuck of a cow tender?
What is a chuck roast called?
You may also hear it called chuck eye, chuck roll, and even simply “pot roast”. It’s a beef cut from the shoulder, neck, and upper arm area of the cow, and one of the most inexpensive cuts you can buy. When cooked low and slow, boneless beef chuck roast becomes so tender you can shred it using a fork.
What is beef chuck?
Beef chuck is a rich and tender meat cut perfect for barbecue and roasts. Discover what makes this primal beef cut so special, and how to prepare and barbecue cook the perfect chuck roast or steak. Beef chuck is one of the most popular beef cuts thanks to its rich flavor and tender mouthful.
How to make a beef chuck roast?
However, if you want to prepare a beef chuck roast, you can utilize the whole beef chuck or cut a portion of it to get a thick beef chuck roll. Once you have separated the two muscles, you can cut steaks of your desired thickness from the rib-eye beef chuck.
What is the difference between a chuck roast and a pot roast?
A chuck roast is any cut of meat that comes from the chuck, or the shoulder part of the steer. A pot roast isn’t a specific cut of meat — it’s just a method of preparing a cut of meat by slowly braising it with liquid (like stock or wine) until it’s juicy and tender.