+7 votes
I am looking for the best meat for a classic holodets... Which cuts from the supermarket are best for the budget so it turns out fine!!! Are the options explained clearly for a simple meal???
in Recipes and Cooking by

4 Answers

+10 votes
Hello. For a classic holodets, you want cuts that are rich in natural gelatin to ensure the broth sets properly without adding commercial gelatin. The best budget-friendly cuts from the supermarket include pork trotters or hocks, beef shanks, and sometimes chicken necks or feet. These parts contain a high amount of connective tissue and collagen, which break down during a long, slow simmer. Combine a meaty cut like beef shank with a gelatin-rich cut like pork trotters for the best flavor and texture balance.
by chef (91.1k points)
+6 votes
Oh, making holodets always takes me back to family gatherings when I first learned how important the right cuts are!! You simply must use pork trotters and beef shanks from the supermarket... I remember trying to use just lean steak once and it never set properly, what a disaster that was! Stick to bony cuts like hocks and wings because they melt down into the best natural gelatin for a proper traditional dish.
by
+4 votes
for classic holodets on a budget, you should look for pork hocks and beef shanks at your local supermarket. these cuts are inexpensive because they have a lot of bones and connective tissue, which is actually what you need so the broth gels naturally. just simmer them low and slow with onions and carrots for several hours, pull the meat off the bones, and let it chill in containers for meal prep.
by
+3 votes
Pork hocks and beef shanks are the best budget cuts for holodets. They give you enough gelatin so it turns out fine and sets nicely.
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