What Is Hanger Steak Butcher's Best Kept Secret @linecook knows

This is a photo of Hanger Steak Dinner, from LineCook on Instagram. 
Found it from  @linecook on Twitter

Ah.... the Hanger Steak 

Who out there is family with hanger steak? It may be something you have never heard of and rightfully so, since there are reportedly only two steaks in any given steer that can be labeled as "hanger steaks" and that's if you can find them anywhere near you. 

What is it?

According to Hoofty Primal, "It's the best kept secret of butchers for centuries. The hanger steak comes from the skirt or plate of the steer, which is located just forward of the flank. "  Wikipedia refers to it as "hanging from the diaphragm of the steer."  Thus, the name, hanger steak.

Why is it so hard to find?

My wife has never found a hanger steak in Giant or any other grocery store and we had a bet that such a steak existed (she lost.) According to Wikipedia some butchers prefer to keep this cut of meat for themselves.

Now my pals in South Texas will know exactly what this is--it's labeled as a hanger steak and they are widely used in Mexican dishes like fajitas.

The problem is, hanger steak was not really popular at first, and reportedly "separated" so makes you wonder if they basically sold them as skirt steaks. Have you ever bought a skirt steak and made fajitas, it's tender and juicy but the next one you prepared the same way was hard and tough? The first steak could have been a cut of skirt that included the hanger steak cut. Don't think you were duped, just consider that a free bonus.

What's more confusing? In Britain they do call the hanger cut a skirt steak.  I can just hear Gordon Ramsey now "The BLEEPING SKIRT STEAK" ....  It was sometimes called a flap steak but that  is technically incorrect. It's not really a flank either.........

Characteristics of the Hanger Steak

Although the skirt steak is very close as in right next door to the hanger steak, the skirt steak is a bit tougher due to more muscles wherein the hanger steak is more lean, juicy, and tender.  Hanger steak is easy to marinate, season, dry rub or trim, and full of flavor.  

Locate One Today

• Ask your local butcher for this cut. 
• Buy it online at Hoofty Primal.
• Go to the Latino district and shop in their butcher section.

Hanger Steak Recipes I Love: 

Hanger Steak Mushrooms and Red Wine Sauce (Bon Appetit)

Pan Grilled Hanger Steak at Epicurious

Rachael Ray Steak Fajitas!

**More about Hoofty Primal:  They specialize in sourcing the best quality meats for people who want a healthy choice. They focus on craftsman based farms who care about the animals, the land, and their customers. An Organic way of raising the animals with GMO-Free food makes for their "Hoofty Seal of Approval."

Australian Beef vs American Meat Sustainable Agriculture BBQ @AustralianLamb

Kollective Fusion offers this sign, great for any bbq guy.

For Beef's Sake


For my fairs and festivals, I must do a buy in each year based on how many truckloads of beef I will need. Most local distributors or sustainable green farms can't meet my organic demand which is a huge problem, I am then forced to go with the big beef companies though my food guy.   I'm all about supporting the American economy and proud to be American but for years I have not agreed with the use of the growth hormones as it pertains to livestock. 

I have a bunch of old vintage bbq books, this one was put out by Sears Roebuck !

Whether it be in their feed, on the grass, or injected into them,  I just don't like it.  I used to have a farm and fatten up my cows and pigs just fine. I don't know about you, but if you were willing to do the following then what I'm saying is true.  If  you were to eat a pit beef sandwich (or a McDonald's burger) as a meal once per day--for a year and not change your diet or exercise habits you would most likely see unexplained bulking up of muscles and added weight gain. This is due to the growth hormones added to the meats or to the feed that the cattle is eating which then obviously is absorbed into the meats.

Vintage Roadside took this great photo, from Texas. See it full size and get it here.

Now what I can't figure out is why other countries are doing things the right way.  If they have figured a way to keep up with supply and demand, why can't we?

                        America: Made with Growth Hormones.                          

Australia: Proud to be Sustainable 

WHAT?

Antique Cow Pull Toy at Modern Poetry.

I'd like to see America focused on the same principals as Australia. Many people do not realize that Australia has a huge focus on practicing ethical treatment of animals and keeping these standards high.  They export to over 100 countries, so they can keep up with the supply and demand. Just ask the Meat and Livestock Australia, Ltd.

Meat and Livestock Australia has an office in Washington DC

They say, "Australian Beef is all natural, minimally processed and contains no artificial additives. Products offered range from 100% free-range, grass-fed beef to grain-fed beef. "  The way in which the beef is raised, prepared, and the welfare of the animals and being green is very important to the people of Australia. . In fact, they have a Red Meat Green Facts website. Here is a credo:

" As Australian beef and sheep farmers, we make our living on the land and have done so for generations. It is in our best interest to ensure our practices are environmentally sustainable not just for our livelihood, but also for our families, the community and for generations to come."

So why can't we apply these principals?  Surely there must be a way.  If Australia is worried about tradition then shouldn't we be too?

Hey, if you are in Australia and want the best meats for your gig, try calling up these folks:

Chef Paul Le Noury does great catering in Melbourne

Yum Catering is owned by Executive Chef Paul Le Noury.  They do corporate catering and all types of events (everything from birthdays to cocktail parties.)  Chef Paul will handle your event large or small!  They have space you can rent for private parties and online ordering!  Catering Melbourne now is just a click away!  Next time I'm in Australia I'm going to stop by and see what great beef dishes Chef Paul has on the menu.  That's one way to ensure you get yourself some great Aussie beef.

Yum Catering 
Address: 7160, St Kilda Road, Melbourne  
Call: 1300 536 687
Twitter: @ChefPaulLeNoury
Facebook:  yumcateringmelb


You may also enjoy reading: 

My Aussie Meat Recipes