Braise/Pot Roast
Slowly in a small amount of liquid in a closed pot – usually an oven but can be on a hob. Retains the maximum nutritional value.
Stew
Slowly on a hob, heated from below. Retains the maximum nutritional value. Needs more attention than a casserole.
Casserole
Slowly in an oven heated from all sides. Retains the maximum nutritional value. Needs little or no attention.
BBQ
Quickly or slowly over hot coals. Tricky to cook evenly or to the correct internal temperature.
Pan sear or Griddle
Quickly in a dry griddle or cast iron frying pan. The meat could cook unevenly. Well done on the outside. Less done in the centre.
Grill
Quickly. The heat comes from above or below. Tricky to cook evenly or to the correct internal temperature. Tends to dry out the meat.
Roast
Quickly or slowly in a dry oven. The hotter the oven the more unevenly the beef will cook and the easier it is to over cook it. The lower the oven the more consistent the results – but it takes longer.
Oven to pan
Very slowly in a dry oven then seared in a pan or griddle. Also known as “reverse sear”. Easier to cook to the right internal temperature and more margin for error. Needs forward planning as it can take up to 2 to hours to cook a steak. This – apart from searing – can also be done in any slow cooker that can be set in increments of 1°C.
Stir fry
Quickly in a pan or wok.
Sous vide
Slowly in hot water in a vacuum pack – then a sear. Consistent results – juicy and tender meat. Preserves nutrients, flavour and aroma. Only suitable for solid foods like cuts of meat, not suitable for stews and braises. Needs forward planning, takes up to 2 hours to cook a steak. This can be done in any slow cooker that can be set in increments of 1°C.
Air fryer
Air fryers are small, specialised ovens that cook with hot air. They're a cross between a countertop convection oven and a deep fryer. Good ones have a temperature range that covers 40-200°C. They're great for low fat “frying” and lots of other foods but beef roasts won't cook evenly in an air fryer. For steaks they're OK. But the perfect evening meal is a Sous vide steak with air fried chips.