What part is chuck roast exactly? This is where it comes from

by Joost Nusselder | Last Updated:  June 3, 2022

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Chuck steak is a cut of beef and is part of the sub primal cut known as the chuck. The typical chuck steak is a rectangular cut, about 1″ thick and containing parts of the shoulder bones, and is often known as a “7-bone steak,” as the shape of the shoulder bone in cross section resembles the numeral ‘7’. This cut is usually grilled or broiled; a thicker version is sold as a “7-bone roast” or “chuck roast” and is usually cooked with liquid as a pot roast. The bone-in chuck steak or roast is one of the more economical cuts of beef. In the United Kingdom, this part is commonly referred to as “braising steak”. It is particularly popular for use as ground beef, due to its richness of flavor and balance of meat and fat.

What Is Chuck Roast?

What-Is-Chuck-Roast

Chuck roast is a meat cut from the shoulder of a cow. Chuck roast, being a primal cut, has a significant amount of connective tissue. This is what makes it a god choice for braised dishes like pot roast or beef stew –both are tenderized tough meat cuts. With traditional butchering, the chuck is being separated from the rib aboriginal in between the sixth and the fifth muscle that is the very same tender muscle, which the rib-eye steaks are made from.

It’s a cow’s muscle that’s heavily exercised –thus giving it a good flavor –yet it also makes the meat tough. Further, chuck roast is frequently ground for hamburger due to its high fat to meat ratio -20% fat to 80% of meat is referred to as the best ratio for a burger.

Moreover, chuck roast is also used for pot roast, or when it is cubed –stew. This is because the connective tissue tends to melt as the chuck self-moistens and braises the beef, hence making it so tender. Some other roasts from the chuck include the Crosscut, English roast, or the Boston roast.

Chuck Roast vs Brisket

Chuck-Roast-vs-Brisket

The chuck roast is an economical meat cut that has a great texture. Even though it’s frequently packaged as a low-quality stew beef, it is actually one of the most flavorful beef cuts available on the market. Further, chuck also comes from the shoulder and neck area of a cow.

As we have said earlier since the cut comes from the neck and shoulder area, they’re often exercised, hence the cut may be tough, gristly and fatty without the proper cooking. When you make the chuck roast, it must be slowly cooked and set on low heat. The slow and low cooking will break down the tough connective tissue and muscle fibers in the meat and radically increases its tenderness.

On the other hand, brisket is a kind of beef meat cut, which is basically from the lower chest of a cow. It’s actually considered as one of the 9 original beef cuts. This cut has collagen fibers and connective tissues. Further, brisket has 44 calories, 5.9 grams of protein, and 2.1 grams of fat in a 1-ounce serving.

This cut of meat needs the proper cooking method to be tender. Also, brisket is commonly cooked with a basting technique. This technique may allow the meat to be cooked on its juice and a prepared marinade or sauce.

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Lakeside Smokers is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new food with BBQ Smoking (& Japanese food!) at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with recipes and cooking tips.