Did you know that Wagyu means Japanese (“wa”) Cow (“gyu”)?
Despite the simplicity of the word, Wagyu beef has become known as one of the most luxurious types of meat in the world!
Wagyu beef comes from Japanese Black Wagyu cattle and is raised and slaughtered in the Hyogo area of Japan. It is widely available in the U.S. and Canada, with D’Arcy’s Meat Market being a premier provider of this amazing meat.
Wagyu beef is the most high-quality steak in the world! Its tender and juicy meat will melt in your mouth just like butter!
Keep ready to learn more about Wagyu beef and how you can use it to prepare amazing dishes.
Meet the Wagyu Holstein
Wagyu beef has more marbling and evenly dispersed fat than other types of beef. You’ll find that the fat is not banded or clumped throughout the meat, optimizing its flavour!
It also has a higher ratio of monounsaturated to saturated fatty acids with lower melting points, so the meat melts in your mouth. These monounsaturated fats are also responsible for reducing bad cholesterol levels and lowering the risk of stroke and heart disease.
Wagyu-Holstein beef is a specific type of Wagyu beef in which the cattle are sired by a Wagyu bull and mothered by a Holstein cow.
What's the benefit of doing so? Cross-breeding Holstein cows with Wagyu cows produces meat that retains all of the flavour of Wagyu beef with a larger strip loin.
Can You Buy Wagyu Beef in Alberta?
While Wagyu cattle cannot be exported outside of Japan, both their meat and their DNA are widely distributed across North America.
In Alberta, farmers breed Wagyu-certified DNA into their cattle to create high-quality and delicious meat.
Therefore, Wagyu beef is readily available in Alberta!
Where to Buy Wagyu Beef in Edmonton
You can buy Wagyu beef online but, due to the higher cost, you may want to see the meat before purchasing it.
In Edmonton, there are local butchers who regularly stock Wagyu beef.
With locations in St. Alberta and South Edmonton (Whitemud Crossing), Darcy’s Meat Market offers a selection of fresh Wagyu steaks and roasts with frozen options as well.
So if you’re looking for Wagyu beef in the Edmonton area, come visit us at Darcy’s Meat Market!
How to Cook Wagyu Beef
Cooking this delectable meat is surprisingly quick and easy!
For the best results, we recommend cooking your Wagyu steak rare to medium rare. You don’t need to overcook the steak since the felt will melt and provide the meat with a rich, buttery flavour.
When cooking a Wagyu steak, start by resting the steak at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour to allow the steak to cook evenly.
All you need to season a Wagyu steak is salt! This will draw out some of the juices and fat to create a delicious crust.
Using medium heat, allow your pan to get hot and rub the fat cap around the steak inside the pan to grease it. Place the steak in the pan and cook for around a minute and a half before flipping it over.
Once your steak reaches an internal temperature of 120-125 degrees (rare) or 130-135 degrees (medium rare), remove it from the heat and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. That’s it - you’re done!
Best Wagyu Beef Recipes
Of course, you may want to get more creative than simply cooking a steak! Here are some of the best Wagyu beef recipes you can try with this delectable cut of meat:
Wagyu Beef Curry
Using the aromatic spices of Southeast Asia, you can easily create a flavorful curry using Wagyu beef.
Dice your Wagyu beef and brown both sides before placing it in a casserole dish. Saute chopped onion and add some coconut milk as well as ginger, garlic, and curry spices.
Then add shrimp paste, chili, lemongrass, sugar, tamarind, and fish sauce. As your ingredients are cooking, blend some peanuts with coconut milk until smooth and add to your dish.
Throw some diced potatoes into the casserole dish with your Wagyu beef and pour the curry sauce on top. Mix to coat and cover the dish before baking for 2.5 hours.
Wagyu Beef Tequila Tacos
Taco Tuesday with Wagyu beef? Yes, please!
This delicious recipe involves preparing an avocado corn salsa using avocado, tomatoes, red onion, jalapeno peppers, corn, cilantro, and lime juice.
Next, make a sriracha aioli by combining mayonnaise and sriracha.
Setting these preparations aside, marinate the Wagyu beef with tequila, cilantro, olive oil, white vinegar, brown sugar, chili powder, and cumin. Let it sit in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Cook the Wagyu steak on a preheated grill for 6 minutes on each side and allow it to rest before slicing.
Warm up some tortillas and assemble your tacos!
Smoked Wagyu Brisket
Cooking Wagyu beef isn’t limited to only steaks! You can also smoke an amazing Wagyu brisket by slowly cooking it in your pellet smoker for a beautiful and delicious taste.
Simply season your brisket 8-12 hours ahead of time using salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic. Because Wagyu beef has a higher fat content, it may taste bland if you don’t season it for a few hours.
Wrap the Wagyu brisket in butcher’s paper and smoke until its internal temperature reaches 185 degrees - this usually takes 4-6 hours.
Keep some apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle on hand to coat the brisket during the smoking process.
Are You Ready to Try Some Wagyu Beef?
Even though Wagyu beef is considered a delicacy, D’arcy’s Meat Market has amazing cuts readily available for you to try!
Our affordable Wagyu beef comes from the Nonay family at Lakeside Farmstead in Legal, Alberta. Support local ranchers while enjoying a beautiful Wagyu steak!
Contact us to place a custom order or visit us in St. Albert or South Edmonton.