ThinkBeef

Ground veal has the label definition of ‘lean’ with a maximum fat content of 17% just like lean ground chicken, beef, pork or turkey.

Cooking Methods:

Pan-frying is best used for chops/medallions from the rib or loin sections, ground veal or veal meatballs, or for thin-cut veal cutlets or sliced liver (breaded or not breaded).

1. Pat meat dry with paper towel. Season all over with salt and pepper to your taste. Bread cutlets with seasoned flour or bread crumbs if you like.
2. Preheat oil in the skillet over medium-high heat.
   Cutlets: use about a tablespoon (15 mL) of oil. NOTE: If cooking breaded cutlets, oil should come close to halfway up the sides of the cutlets.
   Chops/medallions and ground veal: lightly oil the pan.
3. Add the meat to the skillet, careful not to overcrowd the pan.
   Cutlets: cook 2 to 4 minutes per side for medium at most.
   Ground veal: cook to 160°F (71°C).
   Chops/medallions: Sear meat until golden brown on both sides. Reduce the heat to finish, turning twice or more until a digital instant-read thermometer inserted sideways into the meat, avoiding bone, reads 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare. Thick chops/medallions: after browning in an ovenproof skillet, transfer to a preheated 300°F (150°C) oven to finish.

Grilling is best used for thick veal chops/medallions or kabob cubes from the loin or rib sections, or with ground veal as kofta or burgers. You can also turn veal cutlets into satay by cutting into thin strips.

1. Preheat grill to medium-high (400°F/63°C). If meat is marinated, discard or boil used marinade. Pat meat dry with paper towel. Season all over with salt and pepper to your taste.
2. Brush grill with oil. Sear meat until there are good grill marks on both sides but meat is not charred. Transfer to a cooler part of the grill or reduce the heat to finish, turning twice or more until a digital instant-read thermometer inserted sideways into the meat, avoiding bone, reads 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare. IMPORTANT NOTE: Veal burgers or kofta need to be cooked to 160°F (71°C), testing doneness by inserting a digital instant-read thermometer sideways into each burger or kofta.
3. Transfer to cutting board or plate, cover loosely with foil and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Oven Roasting is best for Rack of Veal or other roasts from the loin or leg sections such as Sirloin, Loin and Round cuts. You can also roast (bake) meatballs and meat loaf. Sear roasts before cooking to help develop flavour and colour.

1. Roasts: Pat meat dry with paper towel. Season all over to your taste. Place fat side up, or bones down on rack in sauté or shallow roasting pan. (NOTE: When roasting a Rack of Veal, there is no need for a rack in the pan.)
2. Insert oven-safe meat thermometer into centre of the roast or meatloaf.
   Roasts: Oven-sear in a preheated 450°F (230°C) oven for 10 minutes (or brown in a lightly oiled skillet on stovetop). Reduce heat to 275°F (135°C); roast uncovered, removing from the oven when 5°F (3°C) below 145°F/63°C for medium-rare, or 160°F/71°C for medium.
   Meatballs or Meatloaf: Bake in a preheated 350°F (180°C) oven until cooked to 160°F (71°C).
3. Cover meat loosely with foil and let rest for 15 minutes (roasts and meat loaf), or 5 minutes (meatballs). Meanwhile, make a sauce for the roast if desired (See Step 4). Serve or carve roasts across the grain.
4. To make a sauce for roasts: stir a splash of liquid (stock, wine or broth) into the roasting pan and bring to a boil, stirring and scraping up any brown bits from the pan. Strain the juices and thicken by cooking at a simmer until reduced, or stir in a mixture of equal parts cornstarch and cold water and heat, stirring, until thickened. Season to your taste.