Should I Remove Netting From Beef? A Detailed Guide for Cooks

You’re prepping a beautiful beef roast and notice it’s wrapped in netting or string. Should you remove it before cooking or leave it on? This common question doesn’t have a universal answer. The netting type, cooking method and personal preference all come into play.

In this article, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of removing beef netting so you can decide what’s best for your roast. Let’s get cooking!

What is Beef Netting?

Beef netting also called string, trussing or binding, refers to the thin material wrapped around roasts to hold their shape. It creates an outer sleeve that prevents the meat from falling apart as it cooks. Beef netting comes in several forms

• Plastic netting – A mesh-like plastic used to hold meat cuts together. Not safe for cooking.

• Cotton netting – A natural, cook-safe material that maintains shape.

• Butcher’s twine – Cotton string tightly wrapped around a roast.

• Elastic netting – Stretchy plastic or cotton sleeves to encase meat.

Netting allows even cooking and better moisture retention. But it also affects seasoning absorption and browning. Consider the trade-offs when deciding to remove or leave it on.

Should You Remove Netting Before Cooking Beef?

Plastic netting should always be removed before cooking. It can melt, leach chemicals, and generally isn’t oven or grill safe.

But for natural netting materials like cotton, sisal, or hemp, it depends on your preferences and cooking method:

Reasons to Remove Netting

• Allows seasoning and rubs to directly contact meat
• Creates better browning and crust
• Easier to monitor doneness
• Reduces choking hazards for kids/elderly

Reasons to Leave Netting On

• Holds roast shape together better
• Retains moisture and juices
• Easier to slice and serve
• No risk of unwravelling while cooking

For most roasts and larger cuts, leaving the netting on creates the juiciest, most tender results. But for thinner steaks or chops, removing it can improve sear and flavor depth.

How to Safely Remove Netting from Beef

If plastic, use kitchen shears to carefully cut away and discard the netting. Never cook beef with melted plastic on it.

For natural netting materials:

• Use shears to cut a section of twine or netting.
• Gently pull the material away from the meat.
• Make small cuts to loosen and fully remove the netting.
• Pull slowly to avoid tearing the roast.
• Remove any remaining string or ties.

Then season or marinate the beef as desired before cooking.

How to Cook Beef With Netting On

To cook beef with netting left on:

• Use cooking times for your specific cut, and adjust if needed. Netting holds shape but may increase time.

• Loosen netting before rubbing on seasoning or marinade. This improves coverage.

• Consider spraying netting with oil to reduce sticking.

• Double-check doneness with a meat thermometer, since netting makes visuals harder.

• Remove ALL netting before serving. Check for stray ties or strings.

• Let roast rest 5-10 minutes before slicing for juicy results.

The Best Practices for Beef Netting

To recap best practices:

• Always remove plastic netting before cooking.

• For natural netting, personal preference rules. There are pros and cons to both options.

• Remove netting for better seasoning and browning on thinner cuts.

• Leave netting on larger roasts to retain shape and moisture.

• Use shears and gently pull to safely remove cotton, sisal or hemp netting.

• Adjust cooking method and times to account for netting.

• Remove ALL netting before serving or eating the cooked beef.

Beef netting serves an important purpose in retaining moisture and structure. But it also affects sear and seasoning absorption. Consider the trade-offs when deciding to remove or leave netting on different beef cuts. And always play it safe – ditch plastic netting, watch your cooking temps, and remove all materials before serving your perfectly cooked roast!