Boiled beef facts for kids

Boiled beef is a traditional English dish. It was once very popular, especially among working-class people in London. Working-class people are those who usually work for wages, often in jobs that require physical labor. Today, this dish is not as common as it used to be.

Traditionally, this dish used cheaper cuts of meat. Boiling the meat makes it much more tender than roasting it. Boiled beef was often cooked with onions and served with carrots and boiled potatoes. Sometimes, the beef was first salted in a special salty water called a brine for a few days. Then, it was soaked overnight in fresh water to remove extra salt before cooking. In other parts of England, people used cabbage instead of carrots.

English Boiled Beef

This traditional English dish was a staple for many families. It was a simple, hearty meal that provided good nutrition. The use of cheaper cuts of meat made it an affordable choice.

A Song About the Dish

The popularity of this dish even inspired an old song called “Boiled Beef and Carrots”. This song was often sung in pubs in East London. Pubs are like local gathering places. People would sing along when a pianist played music during a "singsong night." This was a fun community event where everyone joined in singing popular tunes.

Jewish Boiled Beef

Boiled beef is also a traditional Jewish dish. It is served in many homes and in Jewish delis. A deli is a shop that sells special foods, often ready-to-eat meals.

How Jewish Boiled Beef is Served

In Jewish cooking, boiled beef is usually made with flank steak. Flank steak is a cut of beef from the cow's underside. It is boiled and served with various vegetables. It often comes with a clear soup called broth. Sometimes, it is served with matzo balls, which are light dumplings made from matzo meal.