Our Favourite Dishes to Make with Any Type of Meat

You will agree with us when we say meat is a super versatile food in the cuisine world. From lamb and beef to pork and chicken, the choice of meat dishes is truly endless. In previous articles, we have discussed traditional and popular meat dishes. In this blog, we have decided to set aside traditions for now and share our favourite meals to make with any type of meat. While some people may find this questionable and against tradition, if you are looking to change the meat option in a traditional or popular dish, we hope this blog will give new cuisine inspiration to spice up your dishes.

Casserole

When we think of a casserole dish, we often think of tender and juicy chunks of beef. However, what is stopping you from using pork, lamb or chicken instead? The key to any casserole dish isn’t necessarily the choice of meat, but it is the tenderness and flavours. Choose your alternative meat option, pair with root vegetables such as carrots, onion and celery and cook it in a chicken or vegetable stock. 

Bolognese & Meatballs 

Bolognese and meatballs are two dishes which are traditionally cooked with beef mince. However, lamb, pork and chicken mince can also be used as an alternative. All of these meats also pair very well with tomato-based sauces and spaghetti. Cook the meat as normal, coat well in your choice of tomato sauce and sprinkle with cheese on top for a succulent taste and a twist on traditional Italian cuisine. Serve with garlic bread.

Curry

This one may not be surprising to some, but curry is quite a broad term. Chicken is commonly used in most curry dishes such as tikka masala, butter chicken and tandoori. However, all types of meat go nicely with curry sauce and rice. So, next time you are cooking a curry dish, consider replacing the chicken with beef, lamb or pork for a change. 

Stir-Fry

If you are looking for a quick and easy-to-cook dish, the stir-fry is a great choice. Again, like curry, chicken is mainly used in this classic dish. The reason why we enjoy a stir-fry is it allows the person cooking to experiment with different sides such as rice or noodles, meats, vegetables and spices as well as being able to adapt the dish to their customer’s taste. When making a stir-fry, it’s important to choose lean and tender meat such as chicken fillets, pork tenderloin, rump lamb steaks, skirt steak, flank steak or sirloin steak. Make sure to cut the meat and vegetables in bite-sized pieces or strips for quick cooking times.

Fajitas, Tacos & Burritos

Some of our favourite Mexican dishes include fajitas, tacos and burritos. Traditionally, chicken is used in fajitas and beef is used in tacos and burritos. Luckily, these dishes can be made with any type of meat. For instance, try making beef fajitas, slow-cooked pork tacos and grilled chicken burritos instead. Serve with a choice of side dishes and dips including Mexican-style rice, salsa, guacamole or sour cream.

Skewers

When it comes to making skewers, any meat can be skewered and cooked with various vegetables and grilled to perfection. We recommend using lean and tender cuts of chicken, beef, lamb or pork. Marinating the meat beforehand prevents it from drying out, giving a more tender and juicy result. For instance, marinate chicken in barbecue sauce or marinate  beef in teriyaki sauce. Skewers are also a great way to make unique combinations. Instead of choosing one meat choice, you can choose two meat choices for extra depth and flavour. Just be mindful of the cooking times of each meat when doing so.

Traditional & Unique Meat Cuts From HP Westwood 

At HP Westwood, we are one of the leading accredited meat suppliers in Staffordshire. We offer a wide variety of locally sourced wholesale meat such as beef, lamb, pork and chicken for retailer butchers. Aside from the traditional cuts of meat, we also offer a specialist slaughter and abattoir service which allows our clients to purchase special and unique cuts of meat. Whether you are looking for chicken mince to cook a new Bolognese creation or rump lamb steaks to make a unique stir-fry variation, this service is ideal for you. To make your order, simply call us on 0154 327 9463 today.