Trussing is culinary jargon for tying things up. Cooks and chefs use butcher’s twine better known as cooking twine or kitchen string when trussing. When using kitchen twine to cut meat, it keeps the juices inside the meat for optimal pleasure when taking the first bite of your juicy tenderloin. Most chefs are innovative when they’re in need of a viable substitute but for those who are inexperienced in the kitchen or maybe need more options, here are a few that may work for you.
Ensure your kitchen string is made with dye-free 100-percent cotton. Whether it comes from a kitchen store or right here on our website, clean, natural 100-percent cotton kitchen string is suitable for trussing practically any meat choice. You can also use cotton string to hang roast whole chickens over a fire. Some may decide to use bakers twine as a substitute; this is a bad idea because it is typically made with a polyester blend.
Only USDA-certified food and heat safe synthetics like nylon should be used for cooking. An exemption to the rule is dental floss. As long as it’s unwaxed and non-flavored, you can use dental floss to help make delicious dishes like thanksgiving turkey or your homemade three-layered chocolate cake.
Dental floss will prove to be a favorite substitute due to its strength and easy access.
A tied cheesecloth wrap holds poultry or meat, like a rolled, stuffed pork tenderloin, firmly when roasting or braising in liquid. This loosely woven cotton cloth comes in seven grades from open to extra-fine weave. All grades have specific culinary purposes.
WHAT CAN I USE INSTEAD OF KITCHEN TWINE?Aluminum foil. It is not strong enough to hold whole chicken or turkey, but it can work for stuffed meat. … Dental floss. Make sure to buy unwaxed, plain dental floss, so your food doesn’t have a mint taste. … Toothpicks or wooden skewers. … Go without it.
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Aluminum foil. It is not strong enough to hold whole chicken or turkey, but it can work for stuffed meat. …
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Dental floss. Make sure to buy unwaxed, plain dental floss, so your food doesn’t have a mint taste. …
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Toothpicks or wooden skewers. …
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Go without it.
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Toothpicks and Skewers
Food-grade toothpicks and skewers work best for securing stuffed meats when there isn’t any kitchen twine around. Toothpicks and skewers can burn in the oven. Soaking them in water for about 20 minutes before use prevents them from scorching. Don’t forget to count toothpicks or skewers as you insert them, to make sure theyre all removed before serving.
Hot bands also known as silicone cooking bands, can replace kitchen twine or toothpicks when cooking. Food-grade silicon cooking bands are typically safe for freezing, deep-frying, microwaves, and even dishwashers. You may have seen them used to tie fruit and vegetables or a juicy steak.
How to Truss a Chicken Without String | Food & Wine
FAQ
What can I use instead of cooking twine?
What kind of string can I use for cooking?
Can I use thread instead of kitchen twine?
What can I use if I don’t have kitchen twine?
However, if you don’t have the kitchen twine, there is no reason to panic. You can still keep your food in place by using one of the substitutes in this guide. The best substitutes for kitchen twine include dental floss, aluminum foil, a regular string, a cooking bag, toothpicks, wood sticks, or baking paper.
What is a good substitute for cooking twine?
Well, you could decide to try to look for proper substitutes that will get the job done. There are multiple easy substitutes for cooking twines, like toothpicks, aluminum foil, and dental floss. You’re more than likely going to have one or several of these available to you in your household.
Is kitchen twine necessary?
Although useful, it’s not indispensable. If you don’t have kitchen twine, you likely have a suitable replacement. The best substitute depends on what you are cooking and whether the twine is even necessary. Food-grade toothpicks and wooden skewers can pin together items you would otherwise tie with twine.
What if you don’t have cooking twine?
You can try to come up with other solutions if you don’t have any cooking twine. Most people get by without cooking twine and don’t even bat an eye. When in doubt, you can always try to cook something without it. It isn’t an absolute necessity, and you can make delicious meals without it.