When the temperatures drop here in Midwest Indiana, there’s nothing better than a warm pot simmering on the stove. Winter is the season for comfort food — the kind that feeds your family well, stretches the grocery budget, and makes you grateful for a full freezer.

If you're wondering which cuts of beef work best for soups, stews, slow cookers, and hearty oven meals, this guide will help you choose the right cut every time.

These are the same winter favorites our family leans on all season long.

1. Chuck Roast: The King of Winter Cooking

If winter had an official beef cut, it would be chuck roast. It has rich flavor, beautiful marbling, and becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender when cooked low and slow.

Best for:

• Pot roast
• Mississippi Roast
• Barbacoa
• Shredded beef tacos
• Beef stew
• Sandwiches
• Braised roasts

Why it shines:

Chuck comes from the shoulder — a hardworking muscle — which means unbeatable flavor when braised.

Recipe Ideas for Chuck Roast

• Gluten-Free Braised Midwest Prime Chuck Roast

A cozy, slow-braised roast made with clean, gluten-free ingredients.
👉 https://midwestprimefarms.com/blogs/beef-recipes-1/gluten-free-braised-midwest-prime-chuck-roast

• Beef Tacos with Smoky Chipotle Sauce

One of our favorite ways to use shredded chuck roast — full of warm, smoky flavor.
👉 https://midwestprimefarms.com/blogs/beef-recipes-1/beef-tacos-with-smoky-chipotle-sauce

• Mississippi Roast (The Country Cook)

A wildly popular slow-cooker roast made with ranch seasoning, au jus, butter, and pepperoncini peppers. Incredibly tender and fuss-free.
• Easy version: https://www.thecountrycook.net/mississippi-pot-roast/

• Barbacoa (Wholesome Yum)

A Mexican-style shredded beef flavored with garlic, chipotle, warm spices, and lime — perfect for tacos and bowls.
• Chipotle-style recipe

👉 Shop Midwest Prime Chuck Roast

2. Stew Meat: The Shortcut to Cozy Meals

Stew meat is simply pre-cut chunks of rump roast. It’s budget-friendly, versatile, and perfect for hearty soups and slow-cooked meals.

Best for:

• Beef stew
• Chili
• Beef & barley soup
• Vegetable beef soup
• Slow cooker meals

Why we love it:

No trimming. No chopping. Just toss it in the pot and let it cook.

Recipe Ideas for Stew Meat 

• Beef Stew with Mixed Mash

Classic comfort food made with our stew meat.
👉 https://midwestprimefarms.com/blogs/beef-recipes-1/beef-stew-with-mixed-mash

• Beef & Barley Soup (Spend with Pennies)

A top-rated winter soup that’s hearty and budget-friendly.
👉 https://www.spendwithpennies.com/beef-barley-soup/

👉 Shop Midwest Prime Stew Meat

3. Beef Shank: Rich, Nourishing, and Perfect for Slow Cooking

Beef shank is one of the most underrated winter cuts — but once you cook with it, you’ll wonder why you waited so long. Shank comes from the leg, which means it’s full of connective tissue that melts into rich, silky goodness when cooked slowly.

It’s incredible for soups, stews, braises, and any meal where you want deep, bone-in flavor. 

Best for:

• Vegetable beef soup
• Beef stew
• Slow-braised shank
• Osso buco–style dishes
• Broth and stock

Why it shines:

Beef shank delivers unmatched flavor thanks to its marrow-rich bone. As it cooks low and slow, the marrow melts into the broth, creating a silky, nutrient-rich sauce or soup base.

Recipe Ideas for Beef Shank

• Vegetable Beef Soup with Beef Shank (Midwest Prime Recipe)

A nourishing, cozy winter soup that makes the most of the beef shank’s richness.
👉 https://midwestprimefarms.com/blogs/beef-recipes-1/vegetable-beef-soup-with-beef-shank

• Asian Osso Buco (Midwest Prime Recipe)

A savory, aromatic twist on traditional osso buco — featuring ginger, garlic, soy, and deep, warming flavors perfect for cold weather.
👉 https://midwestprimefarms.com/blogs/beef-recipes-1/asian-osso-bucco

👉 Shop Midwest Prime Beef Shank 

4. Ground Beef: The Winter Workhorse

Ground beef is the backbone of winter cooking. It’s quick, affordable, and endlessly versatile.

Best for:

• Chili
• Casseroles
• Lasagna
• Sloppy joes
• Beef + rice skillets
• Hamburger soup
• Meatloaf

Recipe Ideas for Ground Beef

• Midwest Prime Meatloaf

A hearty, comforting classic using our ground beef and ground sausage.
👉 https://midwestprimefarms.com/blogs/beef-recipes-1/meatloaf

• Hamburger Soup (Spend With Pennies)

Family-friendly and top-rated.
👉 https://www.spendwithpennies.com/hamburger-soup/

 Troy's Favorite Chili

A winter staple.
👉 https://midwestprimefarms.com/blogs/beef-recipes-1/troys-favorite-chili

👉 Shop Ground Beef 

5. Sirloin Tip Roast: Lean, Flavorful, and Budget-Friendly

Sirloin tip roast stays tender when cooked low and slow and is perfect for slicing, shredding, or sandwiches.

Best for:

• French dip sandwiches
• Shredded beef tacos
• Roast beef bowls
• Oven-roasted beef slices

Recipe Idea for Sirloin Tip Roast

• French Dip–Style Roast Beef (Spend with Pennies)

Tender and flavorful with homemade au jus.
👉 https://www.spendwithpennies.com/french-dip-sandwich/

6. Brisket: Low-and-Slow Perfection

Brisket transforms beautifully with long, gentle cooking.

Best for:

• Oven-braised brisket
• Brisket chili
• BBQ brisket
• Slow cooker brisket

Recipe Ideas for Brisket

• Oven-Braised Brisket (Once Upon a Chef)

A classic, comforting winter meal.
👉 https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/onion-braised-beef-brisket.html

• Slow Cooker Brisket (Natasha’s Kitchen)

Beginner-friendly and delicious.
👉 https://natashaskitchen.com/slow-cooker-beef-brisket-recipe/

Winter Cooking Staples Shopping List

A complete winter pantry + freezer guide to make cozy meals easy.

Winter-Friendly Beef Cuts

• Chuck roast
• Stew meat
• Brisket
• Short ribs
• Sirloin tip roast
• Ground beef
• Chopped steak patties
• Beef shanks

👉 Shop Winter Beef Here

Winter Vegetables

• Carrots
• Celery
• Potatoes
• Onions
• Garlic
• Mushrooms
• Parsnips
• Cabbage
• Sweet potatoes
• Frozen peas, corn, green beans
• Canned tomatoes

Pantry Staples

• Beef broth
• Tomato paste
• Tomato sauce
• Worcestershire
• Soy sauce
• Olive oil / butter

• Vinegars (red wine, balsamic, apple cider)
• Salt, pepper, garlic, onion powder
• Rosemary, thyme, paprika
• Brown sugar or honey
• Flour or cornstarch

Grains & Sides

• Egg noodles
• Rice
• Barley
• Cornbread mix
• Artisan bread
• Rolls

Farmer Tip: Winter Cooking Loves “Low and Slow”

No matter which cut you choose, winter meals get better with:

• low heat
• long cook time
• moisture
• simple seasonings

This is how tough cuts become tender and full of flavor. In the winter, my crockpot is my best friend.

Stock Your Freezer for Winter

We raise all our beef right here on our sixth-generation family farm in Midwest Indiana. Everything is pasture raised, processed with care, and shipped straight to your doorstep.

👉 Browse Beef Boxes
👉 Shop Individual Beef Cuts
👉 Join Farm Club for recurring deliveries

A warm pot on the stove makes winter feel a little cozier — and we’d love to help you fill it.