a carnivorous production

Byron doesn’t use the word “beef” six times in Canto Two for nothing. In a Canto characterized by cannibalism there should be no surprise that Byron repeats a word that means both “ ‘Flesh’ (of men)” as well as “strength, muscular power (or) effort” (OEDOnline). The instances of the of the word occur in a variety of situations from an initial remedy for seasickness suggested by Byron himself to Juan, to the cannibalism that occurs onboard the longboat, and finally in Zoe’s (Haidee’s sister) cookery. Here they are in the following order:
beef1
beef2
beef3
beef4
beef5
beef6
A variety of reasons come to mind, one may be the parallel Byron is drawing between sensuality/desire and the carnality of love/flesh. This concept at least seems to parallel, the relationship that occurs between Haidee and Juan, where Haidee literally nurses Juan’s body back to health. As Wu’s note states, the name Haidee means in popular Greek either “a caress” or “the caressed one” with all possible sexual connotations relevant. After fleeing from his love for Julia, Juan finds himself flung into a more maternal image of womanhood, who literally cultivates Juan’s manhood back to health.

Also, I found lines like “But beef is rare within these oxless isles” (1225) and “I say beef is rare, and can’t help thinking” (1233) to be filled with irony. For while the islands are secluded and ecologically devoid of cattle, they also lack men, or at least the kind of suitors which appeal to Haidee’s tastes. In a scenario of purity, untainted by the brute force of a man, the entire island could be seen as a metaphor to the chaste woman, while Juan’s shipwrecked invasion, at least in the classical sense of man, may be seen as a symbol of masculinity. Haidee is even referred to as a Virgin Mary type figure, seen through Juan’s eyes.

In conclusion, beef, while some may still be convinced occurs in repetition only out of coincidence, I think carries with it much of the sensual underplay Byron continues to wittingly use throughout Don Juan.