How To Select The Best Quality Meat Products

The smell of BBQ smoke is in the air and grilling season is in full swing. As you stroll down the grocery aisles, you're probably thinking about what meat to buy for your weekend get-together or family dinner. "The good news about selecting top-quality meat is that it's not as complicated as many people think," says Tom Filippou, Executive Chef for President's Choice Cooking Schools. "There are a few simple things you can look for to ensure the meats you are selecting are fresh and flavourful." Follow chef Tom's tips below and you'll be well on your way to perfect summer grilling. Colour When shopping for meat, you want to look for a bright, even colour. Most cuts of beef should have a vibrant ruby tone while pork should be pink. Uneven colours may be a sign of mishandling or inadequate refrigeration. Shape A skilled butcher understands how best to separate the various cuts of meat. Not only do evenly cut pieces of meat look better on a plate, but they also cook more evenly. Unless you're making a stir-fry or stew, steer clear of pieces with ragged edges and varying thicknesses. Upbringing Today's shoppers are increasingly interested in how their meat was raised and many are switching to options that are organic or raised without the use of antibiotics and hormones. If you're looking to make the switch, check out what's on offer at your local grocery store. The President's Choice line of Free From products, for example, is raised without the use of antibiotics or hormones* and is available at your local Loblaws or Real Canadian Superstore. Grade Canadian beef cuts are often marked with the grade of meat they're cut from. A, AA, AAA or PRIME indicate the best quality meats since they meet a high standard for marbling, maturity, muscling, meat and fat as well as colour and texture. One final resource that shouldn't be underestimated is the clerk or butcher at your grocery store meat counter. They can be extremely knowledgeable and are more than happy to help you pick a premium cut of meat for your next meal.