Let’s be honest – when the temperatures drop, salads lose their appeal pretty quickly. Winter meals should be filling, warming and, ideally, involve as few last-minute decisions as possible. That’s where a decent bit of beef comes in. Slow-cooked, braised or simply pan-fried, the right cut makes all the difference.
At Chicken N Things, we don’t do novelty. We do quality New Zealand beef that cooks well, tastes great, and does exactly what you need it to: keep people full and happy when it’s cold out. Here are five cuts we rate highly for the season ahead.
Tender Brisket
Brisket isn’t for last-minute cooks, but that’s the beauty of it. It’s made for days when you’ve got time to let dinner do its thing in the oven while you get on with everything else. The payoff? A melt-in-the-mouth result that feels like something special, even if your method was “cover it and forget about it”.
Chicken N Things’ brisket comes both diced and whole, and both variations are well-marbled, meaning it won’t dry out while it’s cooking low and slow. Roast it with red wine and root veg, or braise it with garlic and stock until it falls apart with a nudge. Whether you serve it in thick slices or shred it for sandwiches, tacos or noodles, it’s the kind of cut that makes mid-winter meals feel a bit less repetitive.
It’s also one of the best cuts for batch cooking, make a big one on Sunday and you’ve got the week covered, no fuss required.
Versatile Beef Mince
A good quality mince is probably the most versatile beef cut you can buy. It’s fast, adaptable, and works just as well in everyday family dinners as it does in something a bit more involved. The problem? Not all mince is worth using.
Chicken N Things’ beef mince is made from clean, lean cuts of New Zealand beef. You’ll notice the difference the moment it hits the pan, no excess water, no strange bits, and no clumps that refuse to break down. It browns evenly and has enough flavour to stand up to whatever dish you’re building.
Use it in bolognese, cottage pie, tacos, meatballs, or homemade burgers. It freezes well too, so it’s easy to stock up for nights when dinner needs to happen quickly but still feel like a proper meal.
Short Ribs
Short ribs are ideal for colder months. They take time, but they need very little attention once they’re in the pot. As they cook, the meat becomes incredibly tender, and the bones add depth to whatever sauce or broth you’re working with.
The short ribs from Chicken N Things are thick-cut and well-trimmed, with the right amount of marbling to keep them moist over a long cook. Brown them first in a hot pan (this step matters for flavour) then braise slowly in stock, red wine, or tomatoes with onions, carrots, and garlic. After a few hours, they’ll be ready to serve with mash, rice, or bread.
They also reheat well and can be made in advance, which makes them a great option for dinner parties or prepping in bulk.
Diced Beef
When you need something reliable and ready to go, diced beef is a solid option. It’s pre-cut into evenly sized chunks that cook consistently, making it perfect for stews, curries, and other one-pot meals.
Chicken N Things’ diced beef comes from lean, tender cuts that break down just enough when cooked slowly, while still holding their shape in the final dish. That means you get texture and tenderness, without needing to trim or prep anything yourself.
Whether you’re going for a classic beef and vegetable stew or something with more spice, like a goulash or Moroccan-style tagine, diced beef makes the process easy. Just sear it well at the start, and let the rest take care of itself.
Bone-In Curry Stew Pieces
Some of the best flavours in cooking come from bone-in cuts, and these beef curry stew pieces are no exception. The bones enrich the cooking liquid, while the meat softens and pulls away easily during a long simmer. It’s an ideal cut for curries and slow-cooked dishes with bold seasoning.
Use them in a spiced coconut curry, a tomato-based stew with warming spices, or even just a classic beef and potato curry. The longer they cook, the better they get, and the bones help create a glossy, full-bodied sauce that you’ll want to soak up with rice or bread.
They take time, but very little effort, and what you get at the end is a deeply flavourful dish that tastes far more complicated than it actually is.
Ready to Cook Something Amazing?
Winter cooking doesn’t need to be complicated to be satisfying. With the right cuts of beef, you can cook meals that are warming, filling, and genuinely enjoyable to eat, even on a Wednesday night. Whether you’re slow-roasting a brisket or throwing together a quick stew with diced beef, it all starts with quality ingredients.
Chicken N Things offers a reliable range of fresh, locally sourced New Zealand beef, delivered straight to your door. Browse the full beef selection here and get your winter meals sorted.