How to Cook Beef Heel Muscle to Fall-Off-The-Bone Tenderness

Beef heel muscle may be an unfamiliar cut to many home cooks, but it has a wonderfully beefy flavor and becomes meltingly tender when cooked properly. In this complete guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know about prepping, marinating, and braising beef heel muscle to make it a delicious addition to your dinner table repertoire

What is Beef Heel Muscle?

The beef heel muscle refers to meat from the cow’s back leg, specifically the gastrocnemius muscle located above the hindshank It’s a worked muscle so it contains a lot of collagen and connective tissue This makes it tough and chewy when cooked quickly.

However, slow cooking transforms beef heel muscle into a luscious, fall-off-the-bone dish with deep meaty flavor. The key is properly preparing and braising the beef to soften the connective tissues.

So while it requires some time and technique, beef heel offers a totally unique and satisfying eating experience perfect for stews, noodle bowls and more.

Picking the Right Beef Heel Cut

When selecting beef heel muscle, look for:

• Bright red color without dried or brown spots
• Good marbling and fat distribution
• 1-2 pound packages for easy slow cooking
• Uniform thickness for even cooking

Avoid heel muscle that appears wrinkled or dried out. The fresher the better for optimal flavor and texture.

Prepping Beef Heel Muscle for Cooking

Proper prep is crucial to ensure the beef heel cooks evenly and becomes tender:

• Trim excess fat – This prevents greasiness and allows seasoning flavors to shine.

• Cut into chunks – Uniform 1 pound pieces cook more evenly than one large cut.

• Blanch briefly – Boiling mellows flavor and removes impurities.

• Cool completely – Chilling overnight firms up the beef to allow clean slicing.

Braising Methods for Beef Heel Muscle

Low and slow wet cooking methods soften collagen and fat to make beef heel lusciously tender.

Traditional Braising

• Use smaller pot – Snug fit allows meat to be submerged in liquid.

• Simmer 2+ hours – Extended cooking time is required to fully tenderize.

• Flip periodically – Ensures even distribution of flavors.

• Rest overnight – Allows clean slicing once fully chilled.

Pressure Cooker

• Cut uniform chunks – So pieces cook evenly under pressure.

• Add aromatics – Garlic, ginger, soy bring extra flavor.

• Lock lid – High pressure environment speeds up braising.

• Cook 60-90 minutes – Until beef is fall-apart tender.

• Natural release – Safely depressurizes contents gradually.

Flavorful Marinades for Beef Heel

Applying a flavor-packed marinade before cooking allows seasonings to deeply penetrate the beef for enhanced taste.

• Soy sauce – Provides salty umami flavor.

• Rice vinegar – Bright acidity balances richness.

• Ginger and garlic – Classic Asian aromatics.

• Honey – Adds subtle sweetness and caramelization.

• Chili paste – Brings spicy kick and complexity.

• Five spice powder – Warm blend of spices.

Combine your favorite elements for a custom marinade. Let beef soak 4-24 hours for best infusion.

Serving Suggestions for Braised Beef Heel

Once you’ve cooked beef heel muscle to succulent perfection, here are tasty ways to serve it:

• Thinly sliced in noodle soup broth

• Shredded in lettuce wraps or soft tacos

• Diced over rice bowls

• Mixed into hearty vegetable stew

• Pureed into silky beef dipping sauce

• Piled on crusty rolls for French dip sandwiches

The possibilities are endless! Braised beef heel muscle is also excellent for meal prepping since it holds up well for several days refrigerated.

Step-by-Step Tutorial for Braised Beef Heel Muscle

Follow these simple steps for your best beef heel muscle dish yet:

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef heel muscle, trimmed and cut into chunks
• 1⁄4 cup soy sauce
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 Tbsp minced ginger
• 1⁄4 cup rice vinegar
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 2 cups beef broth

Instructions:

1. Combine soy sauce, garlic, ginger, vinegar and sesame oil in a resealable bag. Add beef chunks, seal and marinate 4-24 hours.

2. Drain beef from marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Reserve marinade.

3. Preheat pressure cooker on sauté mode. Brown beef chunks in batches.

4. Add reserved marinade and beef broth to pressure cooker pot.

5. Lock lid and pressure cook on high for 75 minutes. Allow natural release.

6. Carefully open lid. Beef should be fall-apart tender.

7. Shred or slice beef. Serve over rice or noodles.

In just over an hour, this straightforward pressure cooker method yields the most velvety, rich and flavorful braised beef that showcases why heel muscle is so special.

Tips for Braised Beef Heel Perfection

Follow these handy tips for the very best results:

• Choose fresh, brightly colored beef heel with good marbling
• Trim all excess fat and silverskin before cooking
• Cut into uniform chunks to promote even cooking
• Marinate 8-24 hours for maximum flavor infusion
• Use a snug fitting braising pot or pressure cooker
• Cook low and slow until beef is spoon tender
• Let beef rest in braising liquid overnight before serving
• Slice across the grain for tenderest texture

Take Your Beef Heel Muscle Cooking to the Next Level

What flavors will you add to your marinade? What’s your favorite way to serve braised beef heel? I’d love to hear about your cooking adventures with this underrated cut! Happy braising!