Fast cuts for midweek magic

Time is precious, especially when you’ve got a hungry family to feed on a school night. You’re looking for easy family dinners and while some things are not within your control, certain cuts of meat can help you save time without compromising on nutrients or flavour. Think of the thinly sliced, lean proteins rather than the whole cuts or something that has a lot of tissue or fat to render down.

Here we talk about these midweek heroes, the quality staples for quickly feeding a hungry family.

Mince:

Without a doubt, mince is one of the fastest cuts to cook and is more affordable to boot. It should be red in colour when raw and when cooked, turns brown and may need to have the fat drained off. A family favourite, both beef and lamb are delicious and fairly interchangeable in most recipes - check out our top 10 mince recipes for further inspiration.

Steaks:

Usually portioned from a whole or larger cut, shops will have some or all of the following options:

Minute steaks: like schnitzel, these guys are quick cooking and perfect for sandwiches or stir fries.
Rump: A lean cut that is full of flavour, it is perfect for salads and panfrying.
Scotch: This cut is a winner for marbling. Very versatile, it can be used for roasts, bbq and simple panfrying.
Eye fillet: The most tender of the cuts, it is simple to prep and achieves top notch results.
Sirloin steak: Tender, juicy and flavourful, it is a popular cut taken from the rear end of the short loin.

For all your steak ideas, head to our full collection here.

Schnitzel:

Schnitzels have had a moment or two lately and quite rightly so. Boneless and thinly sliced, its versatility makes it a winner with families looking for something quick. You can have it crumbed for a tasty dinner, otherwise it makes a beautiful option for stir-fries due to its quick-cook nature.

We’ve gathered our favourite schnitzel recipes here for your inspiration.

Lamb chops and cutlets:

Shoulder chops, loin chops and cutlets are all great options for midweek as they’re full of flavour and cook quickly.

Check out our guide to lamb chops and the best recipes here.

Backstrap and loins:

These are a premium cut with a premium price, that has a mild flavour. They can be cooked quickly without compromising texture or flavour – much like an eye fillet. Ideal for salads, stir-fries or even bbq, but keep an eye on it so it doesn’t get overcooked. For more lamb inspiration, head to our full collection here.