Meat types and cuts (11-14 Years)

Most people buy their meat in the form of cuts, joints or mince. Meat is also bought ready prepared, e.g. sausages, ham, burgers, kebabs. Knowing where meat comes from helps you know how to prepare, cook and serve it. This section is about the different cuts of beef, pork and lamb which are available.

Meat types and cuts

Key messages 

  • Meat is available to buy in the form of cuts, joints or mince. It is also available ready prepared, e.g. sausages, ham, burgers. 
  • The variety of cuts of meat available to the consumer  provide choice, are convenient to prepare, simple to store and easy to cook.
  • Different cuts of meat have different characteristics, e.g. energy and nutrients, composition, weight, size and appearance.
  • Because of where the cut of meat comes from on the animal, different cuts require different cooking methods, e.g. slow (casserole), quicker (stir-fry).
  • To add choice and variety, pork is cured. Offal is also available to be used in a range of popular dishes, e.g. liver and bacon.

Classroom activities

  • Ask the students to complete as many questions as possible on the note sheet Meat types and cuts before viewing the presentation. Students can complete the note sheet whilst viewing the presentation.  
  • Use the Meat today worksheet to research different meat recipes and identify the different types of meat available for use in cooking. 
  • Conduct a survey of a butcher’s window or in a supermarket counter, to identify the number of different meat types and cuts available.
  • Investigate the process of curing and smoking meat.
  • Students could work in groups to complete the activity Meat for my meal. 
11 - 14 YR
Meat type and cuts

A worksheet exploring meat types and cuts.

11 - 14 YR
Meat type and cuts (marks sheet)

A marks sheet to be used with the worksheet.

11 - 14 YR
Meat types and cuts

A presentation exploring meat types and cuts.

11 - 14 YR
Meat today

A worksheet looking a range of recipes which use the different cuts of meat.

11 - 14 YR
Meat for my meal (beef)

A worksheet about recipes for different cuts of beef.

11 - 14 YR
Meat for my meal (lamb)

A worksheet about recipes for different cuts of lamb.

11 - 14 YR
Meat for my meal (pork)

A worksheet about recipes for different cuts of pork.

multi-yr
Know your beef cuts poster

A poster about different cuts of beef.

multi-yr
Know your lamb cuts poster

A poster looking at different cuts of lamb.

multi-yr
Know your pork cuts poster

A poster about different cuts of pork.

multi-yr
Know your red meat poster

A poster investigating the source, characteristics and the seasonality of red meat.

multi-yr
Nose to tail poster

A poster looking at beef, lamb and pork.

multi-yr
Cooking considerations poster

A poster looking at considerations when cooking savoury meals.

multi-yr
Red meat cuts and preparation poster

A poster looking at cuts of red meat and how to prepare them.

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