Holidays Are Coming! Be Prepared:

As the holiday season approaches, you have to start preparing what the centerpiece of your holiday dinner will be. The best go-to centerpiece is a classic holiday roast – a symbol of tradition and amazing family memories. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a first-time cook, The MeatStick team is here to ensure your roast is good and spectacular. In this guide, we’ll take you through the steps to achieve the perfect holiday roast with the help of The MeatStick.

Step 1: Choosing Your Meat

Begin by selecting the right cut of meat. For beef, consider a rib roast or tenderloin. For pork, a crown roast makes a stunning centerpiece. And you can never go wrong with a roast Turkey.  Remember, the quality of your meat impacts the final result, so choose wisely. The image below shows some rules of thumb for choosing each meat. If you want to know more about grading and choosing check out our other blog where we delve deeper into USDA Grading Systems and Grass Fed And Grain Fed Meat.

Step 2: Make Sure Your Meat Is At Room Temperature

Bringing your meat to room temperature before roasting is a simple but crucial step that's often overlooked. This process, ideally lasting about an hour, allows the meat to come to an even temperature throughout. When you place a cold roast directly from the refrigerator into a hot oven, the outside cooks much faster than the inside. This can lead to an unevenly cooked roast, where the exterior is overdone while the interior remains undercooked. Allowing the meat to sit at room temperature helps in achieving more uniform cooking, leading to a roast that's evenly cooked throughout. This simple step is key to ensuring that your roast is tender, juicy, and cooked to perfection, enhancing the overall flavor and texture of your dish.

Step 3: Seasoning Your Meat

Seasoning is more than just salt and pepper. Consider adding herbs like rosemary and thyme, or a rub of garlic and mustard for an aromatic flair. Let the meat absorb the flavors for at least an hour, or overnight for a deeper infusion. We show our go-to meat rub to ensure your meat has the best taste! 

Step 4: Choosing and Setting Up Your MeatStick

If you have a smaller number of guests coming and you want to prepare a smaller cut The MeatStick Chef is for you. On the other hand, if you want to prepare a larger cut we recommend going with The MeatStick 4. Before cooking, set up The MeatStick according to your meat type and desired doneness. The MeatStick app offers a range of settings to ensure precision cooking.

Step 5: Preheating Your Oven: 

Preheating your oven is essential for roasting meat. It ensures immediate and even cooking, creating a crispy outside while keeping the inside tender and juicy. A properly preheated oven seals in flavors and moisture, resulting in a perfectly textured roast. Skipping this step can lead to uneven cooking and a less desirable texture.

Step 6:Internal Temperatures Matter!:

You made sure you chose the right meat, seasoned it, and prepared your oven. The worst thing you could do right now is overcook or undercook your meat. This is why internal temperature is the most important part when cooking your roast. 

Insert The MeatStick into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding fat and bone. As it cooks, The MeatStick will send real-time temperature readings to your smartphone, ensuring your roast cooks to perfection.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Once your roast reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the oven and let it rest. This allows the juices to be redistributed, ensuring a moist and flavorful roast. This part is important because if you don’t let your meat rest all of the juices will flow out when you slice into it. Carve, serve, and watch as your guests marvel at the culinary masterpiece you’ve created.

The MeatStick is more than just a thermometer; it's your partner in holiday cooking. By following these steps, you're not just preparing a meal but crafting an experience. Let The MeatStick take the guesswork out of your cooking this holiday season, leaving you more time to enjoy with loved ones.

Now Let’s Start Cooking! Try This Roast Recipe At Home: 

Easy Pork Tenderloin Recipe For Home: 

• 1 pork tenderloin (about 1-1.5 pounds)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Pat the pork tenderloin dry with paper towels. This helps to get a good sear on the meat.
3. In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, dried thyme, and onion powder to create a seasoning.
4. Rub the seasoning all over the pork tenderloin, making sure to coat it evenly.
5. Then stick your MeatStick thermometer into the thickest part of the meat avoiding the bones. 
6. Heat olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the pork tenderloin.
7. Sear the tenderloin for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until a golden-brown crust forms. This process helps to lock in the juices.
8. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast until  The MeatStick app reads 145°F (63°C).
9. Once cooked to the desired level of doneness, remove the pork tenderloin from the oven.
10. Tent the pork tenderloin with aluminum foil and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring it will be juicy and tender.
11. Slice the pork tenderloin into medallions and serve.