Can Someone Explain What A Deckle Of Beef Means?

How to trim or cook deckle

That elaborate terminology is nice and all, but what does deckle actually taste like? Can it be cooked? In briskets, the deckle is often seen as a problematic, tougher fat that doesn’t render well, so it’s frequently removed. You can either use a knife to slice it off or scoop it out—both methods work effectively. However, since deckle is fat and beef fat is packed with flavor, some people believe it’s worth keeping some on the brisket when grilling. Just be cautious not to ruin your brisket by grilling it, as those chest muscles are tough and require slow cooking to become tender; smoking is a better option for brisket.

If you’re referring to the ribeye definition of deckle, which is the rib cap (scientifically known as the spinalis dorsi muscle), it’s known for being incredibly juicy and tender. Ribeye cap steaks are actually sold featuring just that muscle. If you have a marbled ribeye cap steak, you can grill it in a much shorter time, or you can take a ribeye and trim off the outer layer of the deckle yourself.