What Is the Difference Between Butchers Twine and Regular Twine

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You've probably seen recipes that call for trussing a roast or whole chicken with butcher's twine. But what is it, exactly?

Butcher's twine is an inexpensive tool used all the time in our Test Kitchen. It helps roasts and chicken cook evenly, and it's also handy if you need to attach a bacon weave to a meatloaf. But what exactlyis butcher's twine? And what do you do if you don't have any on hand?

What Is Butcher's Twine?

Butcher's twine (also called cooking string or kitchen twine) is an oven-safe string made from 100% cotton. It's most commonly used when cooking meat. Tying an irregular-shaped roast or trussing a chicken creates a uniform shape that helps the meat cook evenly. Butcher's twine can also be used to roll up stuffed meat like mushroom-stuffed flank steak, hang salami for curing and bundle herbs for freezing or making stock.

When cooking, it's important to use a twine that's made from a natural fiber so it won't melt when cooked at high temperatures. Cotton is the go-to material because it doesn't impart flavors, aromas or colors into the food as it cooks. Linen twine is also acceptable, and some people find it easier to tie, but it's also harder to find.

What's the Difference Between Butcher's Twine and Regular Twine?

Twine can be made from several different types of natural fibers and synthetic materials, but not all of them are suitable for baking. Butcher's twine is made from cotton, a food-safe, oven-safe material that's strong enough to pull into tight knots. Some natural-fiber twines are oven-safe (like linen) while others are made with food-safe materials but burn easily, so they're best for decorative purposes (like jute or hemp).

Synthetic twines made from polypropylene and polyester aren't oven-safe, and they should be avoided for cooking. The twine you'll find at the hardware store is likely made from synthetic materials, and it can impart unwanted color or flavor into the food.

What Can Be Used Instead of Butcher's Twine?

The most readily-available substitute for butcher's twine is unwaxed, unflavored dental floss. It won't hold up to the heat of the grill, and it can definitely snap if you try to tie it too tightly, but it'll work in a pinch. Toothpicks or skewers also work well for securing something like a stuffed chicken breast, and a strip of 100% cotton cheesecloth or cotton gauze could be used truss a chicken or a roast if need be.

Some people swear by silicone roasting bands, a reusable alternative to butcher's twine. They're food-safe and can be used in the oven to temperatures of at least 600°F. You will need to be careful when removing them from hot meat, though.

You can also look for creative ways to skip the twine. When cooking a whole chicken, bend the wings back and fold them under the chicken. Then, poke a tiny hole in the loose skin around the cavity. Tuck the legs into the slits, being careful not to tear the skin as you go.

Where do you buy butcher's twine?

You should be able to find butcher's twine in most grocery stores, and it's often available at cookware stores, too. Be careful about the twine sold at hardware stores, as most of them are made from a cotton-polyester blend that's not suitable for cooking. If you can't find twine near you, look to online retailers (like this $5 spool at Target).

Use Butcher's Twine to Make a Pot Roast

Ultimate Pot Roast

Dutch oven pot roast recipes are the ultimate comfort food. When juicy pot roast simmers in garlic, onions and veggies, everyone comes running to ask, "When can we eat?" The answer? Just wait—it will be worth it. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Slow-Cooked Caribbean Pot Roast

This dish is definitely a year-round recipe. Sweet potatoes, orange zest and baking cocoa are my surprise ingredients. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

Chipotle Shredded Beef

This beef is delicious whether you serve it all rolled up in a tortilla, with corn salsa in a burrito, in a bun or over rice or mashed potatoes. So many options! —Darcy Williams, Omaha, Nebraska

Stout & Honey Beef Roast

Here's a heartwarming meal that's ideal for chilly days and hectic nights. Honey, beer and seasonings make the sauce different and oh-so-good. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Slow-Cooker Sauerbraten

My family is of German Lutheran descent, and although we enjoy this traditional beef roast, I never liked the amount of time and fuss it takes to make it. This recipe is so good and oh-so-easy. It's great served with dumplings, spaetzle, veggies or a salad. —Norma English, Baden, Pennsylvania

Beef Paprikash with Fire-Roasted Tomatoes

Beef paprikash, a Hungarian dish, makes a marvelous Sunday dinner. We prefer it with kluski egg noodles, or try mashed potatoes. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois

Soy-Ginger Pot Roast

My husband really likes roast beef, and I really like my slow cooker. I brought in Asian influences for an all-day pot roast with some oomph. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas

Country Chuck Roast with Mushroom Gravy

This tender, savory roast practically melts in your mouth. It looks a bit complex, but the hands-free oven time makes it my go-to company recipe on a cold day. —Mary Kay LaBrie, Clermont, Florida

Sassy Pot Roast

I love walking into my home after a long day and smelling this lovely pot roast. You can add potatoes and carrots to round out the meal, and the leftover meat makes a comforting soup for the next night. —Susan Burkett, Monroeville, Pennsylvania

Slow-Cooked Coffee Pot Roast

My family raves about my gravy when I prepare this recipe. Whenever I'm fishing for compliments, this pot roast is a sure hit! —Janet Dominick, Bagley, Minnesota

Flavorful Pot Roast

On hectic days, this is so quick and easy to prep! Convenient packages of dressing and gravy combine to create a sauce worthy of a fall-apart roast. For a filling meal-in-one, serve with mashed potatoes and ladle the juices over top. —Arlene Butler, Ogden, Utah

Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

I work full time, so this slow cooker roast beef is my go-to when I want a hearty, home cooked meal. It's a comfort to walk in and smell this simmering slow cooker pot roast that I know will be fall-apart tender and delicious. —Gina Jackson, Ogdensburg, New York

Contest-Winning Mushroom Pot Roast

Wow! The wine-warmed flavors in this recipe are amazing! Packed with wholesome veggies and tender beef, this is one company-special dish all ages will like. Serve with mashed potatoes to enjoy every last drop of the rich, beefy gravy. —Angie Stewart, Topeka, Kansas

Cajun-Style Pot Roast

I often makes this zippy roast when expecting dinner guests. It gives me time to visit with them, and even my friend who's a chef enjoys this dish. —Ginger Menzies, Oak Creek, Colorado

Marinated Pot Roast

I've long used whole or ground cloves as my secret ingredient in cooking and baking. Added to an overnight marinade, they provide the gravy in this meaty main dish with great flavor. —Marijane Rea of Milwaukie, Oregon

Sunday Herbed Pot Roast Soup

I love having leftovers. It means a little less cooking the next day, and I often use them to make soup. With this recipe you could easily substitute leftover roast chicken and chicken broth for the leftover beef and beef broth. —Deonna Weight, Kearns, Utah

Stout & Shiitake Pot Roast

Mushrooms, onions and a bottle of Guinness add excellent flavor to my pot roast. This one-dish wonder may taste even better the next day. —Madeleine Bessette, Coeur d Alene, Idaho

Mediterranean Pot Roast Dinner

I first made this recipe one cold winter day. My family (adults, kids and dogs) were having a blast sledding and playing in the snow all day, and when we came inside supper was ready! This pot roast is perfect served with mashed potatoes, rice or dinner rolls. —Holly Battiste, Barrington, New Jersey

Best Ever Roast Beef

This is the best roast beef recipe ever, and it's great for family dinners! Cube leftover meat and save any extra sauce; they'll add new flavor to basic fried rice. —Caroline Flynn, Troy, New York

Moroccan Pot Roast

My husband loves meat and I love veggies, so we're both happy with this spicy twist on beefy pot roast. With garbanzo beans, eggplant, honey and mint, it's like something you'd eat at a Marrakech bazaar. —Catherine Dempsey, Clifton Park, New York

Beef Roast with Cranberry Gravy

I can easily get this robust recipe ready in the morning and let it cook all day so that it's ready for dinner when I get home at night. The hearty beef dish is also good for the weekends when we want to spend time outdoors or on day trips.—Diane Nemitz, Ludington, Michigan

Java Roast Beef

Coffee adds richness to the gravy, which is perfect for sopping up with crusty bread or draping over mashed potatoes. —Charla Sackmann, Orange City, Iowa

Tina's Pot Roast

This tender pot roast is a hearty, "feel good" meal. It's also kid-friendly. Even picky eaters usually gobble it up. The last time I made this for my family, the gravy was so tasty that we poured it over the entire meal—meat, carrots, and potatoes! —Tina Meyer, Lake Orion, Michigan

Slow-Cooker Barbacoa

My husband adores this barbacoa, which is beef roast simmered in lime juice, chipotle and cumin. He would eat it one a week if I would make it that often! We have it over rice with cilantro and a spritz of lime. —Aundrea McCormick, Denver, Colorado

Company Pot Roast

The aroma of this roast slowly cooking in the oven is absolutely mouthwatering. It gives the home such a cozy feeling, even on the chilliest winter days. —Anita Osborne, Thomasburg, Ontario

Balsamic Braised Pot Roast

I first made this braised chuck roast dish to impress my new mother-in-law. She loved it. Luckily, the oven does all the work in this never-fail pot roast. — Kelly Anderson, Glendale, California

Top-Rated Italian Pot Roast

I'm always getting recipe inspiration from newspapers and magazines. Here's a tender roast with aromatic spices that give it a Moroccan feel. —Karen Burdell, Lafayette, Colorado

Beer-Braised Roast with Root Vegetables

I like the combination of seasoned vegetables and lean meat in this recipe, and my wife likes how the seasonings complement the meat. I serve the roast with a garden salad and crusty multigrain bread. —Malcolm Cieszko, Washington, North Carolina

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Chuck Roast

My husband and I like chuck roast recipes, so this slow-cooked recipe is terrific. You'll also love how flavorful and tender this comforting beef chuck roast turns out. —Bette McCumber, Schenectady, New York

What Is the Difference Between Butchers Twine and Regular Twine

Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/what-is-butchers-twine/#:~:text=What's%20the%20Difference%20Between%20Butcher's,to%20pull%20into%20tight%20knots.

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