Separating a Good Steak from a Great One: Understanding How Cut and Preparation Make a Difference

(Feature Impact) Even frequent steak diners may not know exactly what separates one cut from another. The cut is simply the section of beef the steak comes from, and it helps shape tenderness, marbling and flavor. Preparation matters too, and understanding those differences can make it easier to choose the steak that best fits your taste.

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“When you’re looking for a great steak, it’s really all about the details,” said chef Efrem Cutler, chief steak officer for Outback Steakhouse. “It starts with quality beef and our longstanding sourcing standards. We’ve built on what we already do well across our steak lineup, from center-cut sirloin to ribeye, with even more focus on hand-trimming, seasoning, preparation and training. When you bring all of that together, you get a steak that’s tender, juicy and packed with flavor.”

Still, many diners aren’t sure which cut is right for them. Just 41% of Americans said they’re confident in their knowledge of different steak cuts, according to Outback Steakhouse’s Modern Steakhouse Survey.

If you want big, bold flavor, Cutler recommends a ribeye. For something incredibly tender, opt for the filet mignon. For a balance of flavor and tenderness, try a New York strip.

“Understanding the differences between cuts can make ordering easier,” Cutler said. “We want guests to feel confident choosing the steak that fits their taste.”

With its Best Steaks Ever lineup of hand-selected, hand-trimmed, perfectly seasoned and expertly seared steaks, including the new Down Under Delmonico Ribeye and New York strip, alongside Victoria’s barrel-cut filet mignon, center-cut sirloin and Rockhampton ribeye, guests can find the cut and flavor profile they crave.

Visit outback.com/steak to learn more and find a location near you.

SOURCE:

Outback Steakhouse

Thanksgiving may be known for turkey, but Campbell’s latest research suggests the real stars of the holiday table are the dishes around it.

Campbell’s has released its fifth annual State of the Sides Report, finding that Americans are placing even more importance on the casseroles, potatoes, pasta and stuffing that define a holiday meal. Based on a survey of 5,017 U.S. adults who celebrate Thanksgiving, the 2026 report paints a familiar picture: tradition still matters, but home cooks are also looking for convenience and flexibility.

Sides Take the Spotlight

The appetite for side dishes is clear. Campbell’s reports that 80% of Americans enjoy cooking the sides more than the turkey, an 11-point increase from 2023. Meanwhile, 86% expect to serve at least four side dishes this Thanksgiving, with a median of five per table.

That enthusiasm is particularly strong among younger generations. Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z respondents, along with 56% of Millennials, said they would be happy eating an all-sides meal.

The nation’s top five Thanksgiving sides have remained consistent for the past three years, though their order has shifted slightly:

• Green bean casserole
• Macaroni and cheese
• Yams or sweet potatoes
• Mashed potatoes
• Stuffing or dressing

Campbell’s estimates those holiday menus will add up to roughly 749 million side dishes served nationwide.

Green Bean Casserole Holds Its Ground

Green bean casserole continues to stand out as one of the most emotionally connected dishes on the table. Sixty-seven percent of those surveyed said it reminds them of Thanksgivings past, and only 19% said they would alter its recipe—the lowest share among the top five sides.

The dish, developed more than 75 years ago in Campbell’s Test Kitchen by Dorcas Reilly, has stayed close to its original five-ingredient formula. Campbell’s says 69% of Americans believe it is best prepared with cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup, while 87% name Campbell’s Soup as their preferred option for making it.

The seasonal demand is substantial: Campbell’s sells nearly 40 million cans of Cream of Mushroom soup during the holiday period. Over the last five holiday seasons, the company says it has sold more than 308 million cans.

Mac and Cheese Brings Everyone Together

If green bean casserole is rooted in nostalgia, macaroni and cheese is positioned as the crowd-pleaser. Fifty-seven percent of respondents described it as the side dish everyone can agree on, and it remains Gen Z’s top side for the second consecutive year.

It is also a dish that rarely lingers. Forty-two percent said there are never leftovers when mac and cheese is served. For many cooks, simplicity is part of its appeal: 46% cited easy preparation as a reason for choosing it for a holiday meal.

Tradition, With Space for New Ideas

The report points to a holiday table that is both traditional and adaptable. Americans are holding onto family and cultural recipes while making room for new flavors, shortcuts and sources of inspiration—including AI-assisted meal planning.

For Campbell’s, the findings reinforce a simple conclusion: while holiday menus may evolve, sides remain the dishes that make the gathering feel complete.

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Campbell’s commissioned the survey in August and September 2026 through independent research organization Reputation Leaders. National results carry a margin of error of plus or minus 1.4 percentage points.

For more information and holiday recipe ideas, visit Campbell’s Sides Season.

Last Updated on November 3, 2026 by Daily News Staff

A Fresh Twist on Holiday Gathering and Gifting

(Feature Impact) The holiday season is a beautiful time of gathering with loved ones, making memories, giving gifts and sharing the year’s bounty with one another.

Bring a little extra sunshine to the season by showcasing citrus fruits at your holiday table this year. This Florida Grapefruit and Apple Galette recipe combines creamy custard, tangy grapefruit and sweet apple slices in a flaky puff pastry crust for a uniquely flavorful dessert. As your friends and family come together to enjoy the merriment of the season, raise a toast with a colorful Holiday Citrus Sparkler Cocktail featuring fresh Florida Oranges.

If you’re looking for a thoughtful way to celebrate the people in your life whether they’re near or far, consider Florida Citrus Gifts, which are a fresh, flavorful source of vitamin C. You can choose from a variety of cheerful gift boxes and baskets filled with juicy, fresh-picked fruits – perfect for snacking or adding to delicious seasonal recipes – ready to brighten your loved ones’ days when they arrive on their doorsteps.

Find more holiday recipes and gift ideas at PickFLA.com.

Florida Grapefruit and Apple Galette

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Servings: 12

• 3       tablespoons custard powder
  
• 3       tablespoons sugar, divided
  
• 3/4    cup, plus 1 1/2 tablespoons, milk
  
• 1/3    cup, plus 1 1/2 tablespoons, freshly squeezed Florida Grapefruit juice
  
• 1       roll puff pastry, about 11 ounces
  
• 1       egg, beaten
  
• 4       Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced
  
• 1       Florida Grapefruit, zest only

1. Preheat oven to 340 F.
2. To make custard: Place custard powder and 2 tablespoons sugar in jug with milk then stir until fully dissolved. Add grapefruit juice and stir.
3. Transfer mixture to microwave and heat 3 minutes, stopping every minute to stir, until custard is thick and smooth.
4. Roll out puff pastry and use sharp knife to score 1-centimeter border around edge.
5. Transfer pastry sheet to nonstick baking tray lined with parchment paper. Brush edges with beaten egg and sprinkle with 1/2 tablespoon sugar for crispy, caramelized finish.
6. To assemble galette: Spread custard evenly over pastry, staying within border. Layer sliced apples on top to fully cover custard. Finish by lightly sprinkling remaining sugar over apples.
7. Bake 25 minutes, or until pastry is golden and crisp.
8. Just before serving, zest fresh grapefruit over galette.

Holiday Citrus Sparkler Cocktail

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1

Orange Simple Syrup:

• 1       cup superfine sugar
  
• 1       cup hot water
  
• 1       Florida Orange, zest only (no pith)

Cocktail:

• 1       ounce freshly squeezed Florida Orange juice
  
• 1       ounce pomegranate juice
  
• 1 1/4 ounces vodka or gin
  
• 1/2    ounce lime juice
  
• 1/2    ounce orange simple syrup
  
•          ice, divided
  
• 1       ounce club soda, chilled
  
• 1       Florida Orange slice
  
• 1       tablespoon pomegranate seeds
  
• fresh rosemary sprigs (optional)

1. To make simple syrup: In saucepan, combine sugar, hot water and orange zest; heat 3-5 minutes until sugar is completely dissolved. Set aside and let cool.
2. To make cocktail: In cocktail shaker, combine orange juice, pomegranate juice, vodka or gin, lime juice and orange simple syrup. Add ice, shake and strain into tall glass over fresh ice. Top with club soda.
3. Garnish with orange slice, pomegranate seeds and fresh rosemary sprigs, if desired.

SOURCE:

Florida Department of Citrus