Editing Beef (section)

==== Moist heat ====
Moist heat cooking methods include [[braising]], [[pot roast]]ing, [[stew]]ing and [[sous-vide]]. These techniques are often used for cuts of beef that are tougher, as these longer, lower-temperature cooking methods have time to dissolve connecting tissue which otherwise makes meat remain tough after cooking.
* [[Stewing]] or [[simmering]]
:simmering meat, whole or cut into bite-size pieces, in a water-based liquid with flavorings. This technique may be used as part of [[pressure cooking]].
* [[Braising]]
:cooking meats, in a covered container, with small amounts of liquids (usually seasoned or flavored). Unlike stewing, braised meat is not fully immersed in liquid, and usually is browned before the oven step.
* [[Sous-vide]]
:Sous-vide, French for "under vacuum", is a method of cooking food sealed in airtight plastic bags in a water bath for a long time—72 hours is not unknown—at an accurately determined temperature much lower than normally used for other types of cooking. The intention is to maintain the integrity of ingredients and achieve very precise control of cooking. Although water is used in the method, only moisture in or added to the food bags is in contact with the food.

[[File:Beef Roasted with Vinegar.jpg|thumb|Beef roasted with [[vinegar]] and sliced with spiced paste, often called "cold beef"]]
Meat has usually been cooked in water which is just [[simmer]]ing, such as in stewing; higher temperatures make meat tougher by causing the proteins to contract. Since [[thermostat]]ic temperature control became available, cooking at temperatures well below boiling, {{convert|52|C|F}} (sous-vide) to {{convert|90|C|F}} ([[slow cooking]]), for prolonged periods has become possible; this is just hot enough to convert the tough [[collagen]] in connective tissue into gelatin through [[hydrolysis]], with minimal toughening.

With the adequate combination of temperature and cooking time, [[pathogen]]s, such as [[bacteria]] will be killed, and [[pasteurization]] can be achieved. Because browning ([[Maillard reaction]]s) can only occur at higher temperatures (above the boiling point of water), these moist techniques do not develop the flavors associated with browning. Meat will often undergo [[searing]] in a very hot pan, [[grilling]] or browning with a torch before moist cooking (though sometimes after).

Thermostatically controlled methods, such as sous-vide, can also prevent overcooking by bringing the meat to the exact degree of doneness desired, and holding it at that temperature indefinitely. The combination of precise temperature control and long cooking duration makes it possible to be assured that pasteurization has been achieved, both on the surface and the interior of even very thick cuts of meat, which can not be assured with most other cooking techniques.  (Although extremely long-duration cooking can break down the texture of the meat to an undesirable degree.)

Beef can be cooked quickly at the table through several techniques. In [[hot pot]] cooking, such as [[shabu-shabu]], very thinly sliced meat is cooked by the diners at the table by immersing it in a heated pot of water or stock with vegetables. In [[fondue]] bourguignonne, diners dip small pieces of beef into a pot of hot oil at the table. Both techniques typically feature accompanying flavorful [[sauce]]s to complement the meat.