Food & Ingredients

Beef Steak

Beef steak is a culinary chameleon, offering a range of flavors, textures, and cooking possibilities to suit every taste and occasion. Whether you crave the lean and satisfying nature of low-fat cuts, the balanced medium-fat options, or the pure richness of high-fat steaks, there's a cut out there to tantalize your tastebuds.

Tom Tom Founder
Published:
May 24, 2024

What If My Recipe Doesn’t Specify Which Beef Steak to Use?

If your recipe doesn’t specify what kind of beef steak to use, feel free to use the one that best matches your preference or availability.

Your Guide to Flavor, Tenderness, and Culinary Adventure

The world of beef steak is a delicious playground for food lovers. Whether you crave lean and flavorful cuts, steaks with a perfect balance of taste and texture, or melt-in-your-mouth richness, there’s a beef steak out there waiting to satisfy your cravings. Let’s explore the categories of beef steaks, from low-fat options to the intensely marbled varieties, and discover the perfect cut for your next culinary adventure.

Popular Low-Fat Steaks

Let’s delve into a few popular low-fat steak choices:

Top Round Steak

  • Versatile and Lean: Top round strikes a middle ground between the eye of round and sirloin in terms of tenderness and flavor.
  • Best for Roast: Top round’s larger size makes it a popular choice as a roast beef, later sliced for sandwiches or meals.
  • Benefits from Tenderizing: Pounding or marinating top round can improve its texture before cooking.
  • Read more here.

Bottom Round Steak

  • Slightly More Flavorful: Bottom round has a bit more flavor than eye of round but is similarly on the tougher side.
  • Ideal for Marinating: Marinades are your best friend with bottom round, helping to tenderize the meat and enhance the flavor.
  • Excellent for Slicing Thin: Bottom round works very well for dishes like Philly cheesesteaks or stir-fries.
  • Read more here.

Eye of Round Steak

  • The Budget-Friendly Pick: Eye of round is one of the most affordable lean cuts of steak.
  • A Bit Chewier: This cut lacks the inherent tenderness of other options but makes up for it in value.
  • Best Cooked Slowly: Eye of round benefits from slow-cooking methods like braising or using a sous vide to maximize tenderness.
  • Read more here.

Top Sirloin Steak

  • Excellent Tenderness: Top sirloin is known for its tenderness, making it a popular choice for those who want a more budget-friendly steak without sacrificing much on texture.
  • Flavorful and Juicy: While not as marbled as a ribeye, top sirloin still delivers a good amount of beefy flavor and juiciness.
  • Grilling Favorite: Top sirloin excels on the grill, developing a beautiful sear and remaining tender when cooked to medium-rare or medium.
  • Read more here.

Filet Mignon

  • It is part of the beef tenderloin.
  • The Tenderness King: Filet mignon is celebrated for its melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. It comes from the tenderloin, a muscle that does very little work.
  • Mild Flavor: This cut has a subtle beefy flavor, making it a good choice for sauces or bold seasonings.
  • Watch the Price: Due to its tenderness and limited availability from each animal, filet mignon tends to be the most expensive cut.
  • Read more here.

Flat Iron Steak

  • Flavorful and Tender: Flat iron steak is known for its rich, beefy flavor and surprisingly tender texture, comparable to a ribeye or strip steak.
  • Versatile Cut: This steak can be grilled, pan-seared, or broiled, making it a versatile option for various cooking methods.
  • Budget-Friendly: Flat iron steak is often more affordable than other premium cuts like filet mignon or New York strip, offering excellent value for its quality.
  • Well-Marbled: This steak is nicely marbled with fat, which contributes to its flavor and tenderness when cooked properly.
  • Read more here.

 

Flank Steak

  • Flavor Powerhouse: Flank steak packs a big beefy punch and stands up well to bold marinades.
  • Chewy If Not Prepared Right: Flank steak needs to be sliced thinly against the grain to avoid being tough and chewy.
  • Perfect for Grilling: Flank steak excels with quick, high-heat cooking methods like grilling or broiling.
  • Read more here.

Sirloin Flap Steak

  • Flavorful and budget-friendly: Sirloin flap steak delivers a rich, beefy flavor and is a more affordable alternative to some other popular steak cuts.
  • Requires care in cooking: This cut has a loose grain, and is best cooked quickly over high heat to achieve a medium-rare doneness. Overcooking can lead to toughness.
  • Versatile with marinades: Sirloin flap steak absorbs marinades well, adding another layer of flavor and enhancing tenderness.
  • Read more here.

Medium-Fat Beef Steaks

  • Balance of Flavor & Tenderness: Offer pronounced beefiness with moderate marbling, delivering a satisfying level of tenderness.
  • Culinary Versatility: Adapt beautifully to grilling, pan-searing, broiling, and more.
  • Crowd-Pleasers: These steaks cater to a wide range of preferences.
  • Read more here.
  • See the most popular ones below.

New York Strip Steak

  • Flavor Profile: Robust beefiness with a slightly nutty undertone.
  • Texture: Moderately tender with a pleasant chew due to less marbling than a ribeye.
  • Culinary Versatility: A classic choice suitable for grilling, pan-searing, or broiling.
  • Read more here.

T-Bone Steak

  • Flavor Profile: Offers two distinct flavors – the bold strip and the tender, buttery filet mignon.
  • Texture: Varies across the cut, with the filet portion offering exceptional tenderness.
  • Showstopper Factor: The iconic T-shaped bone provides impressive visual appeal.
  • Read more here.

Porterhouse Steak

  • Flavor Profile: Similar to the T-bone, with a larger filet mignon portion for greater tenderness.
  • Texture: The strip side is similar to a New York Strip, while the filet is incredibly buttery.
  • Luxury Choice: Considered a premium steak due to its size and the inclusion of a large, tender filet.
  • Read more here.

Skirt Steak

  • Flavor Profile: Intensely beefy with a robust, savory flavor.
  • Texture: Long fibers benefit from quick cooking and slicing against the grain for optimal tenderness.
  • Marinades’ Best Friend: Soaks up flavor beautifully, making it excellent for bold marinades.
  • Read more here.

Tri-Tip Steak

  • Flavor Profile: Rich beefiness with a slightly milder flavor than skirt steak.
  • Texture: Moderately tender, ideal for grilling, roasting, or smoking.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Great sliced for sandwiches, tacos, or topping salads.
  • Read more here.

High-Fat Beef Steaks

  • Unmatched Richness: Generous marbling creates a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Intense Beef Flavor: Marbling intensifies the savory, deeply satisfying beef flavor profile.
  • Special Occasion Stars: Often pricier cuts, perfect for when you want a truly luxurious experience.
  • Read more here.
  • See the most popular ones below.

Ribeye Steak

  • Flavor Profile: Intensely beefy with a rich, buttery undertone due to the generous marbling.
  • Texture: Exceptionally tender and juicy, practically melting in your mouth with each bite.
  • Selection Tips: Look for a ribeye with good marbling throughout, but avoid excessive fat. An even distribution of marbling ensures optimal flavor and tenderness.
  • Read more here.

Prime Rib Steak

  • Flavor Profile: Deeply rich and complex, with a pronounced beefiness balanced by the sweetness of the fat.
  • Texture: Incredibly tender and juicy throughout, thanks to the generous marbling.
  • Selection Tips: Choose a prime rib roast with good marbling throughout, but not excessive fat at the edges. Aim for a thickness of at least 2 inches for even cooking.
  • Read more here.

Picanha Steak (Top Sirloin Cap)

  • Flavor Profile: Bold and beefy with a slightly smoky note, often compared to skirt steak.
  • Texture: Moderately tender with a pleasant chew, especially when sliced against the grain.
  • Selection Tips: Look for a picanha steak with a nice fat cap, which adds delicious flavor during cooking. Have your butcher trim some of the excess fat if desired.
  • Read more here.

Cowboy Ribeye Steak

  • Flavor Profile: Expect the classic, intense beefiness of a ribeye with a boost of rich, savory flavor imparted by the bone during cooking.
  • Texture: The Cowboy Ribeye offers incredible tenderness due to its marbling, with a slightly more satisfying chew than a boneless ribeye.
  • Selection Tip: Look for even marbling throughout and a thicker cut (at least 1.5 inches) to ensure optimal flavor and juiciness.
  • Read more here.

Tomahawk Steak (Tomahawk Ribeye Steak)

  • Flavor Profile: The Tomahawk Ribeye delivers the classic, deeply rich beefiness of a ribeye, elevated by the extra flavor imparted from the bone during cooking.
  • Texture: Due to its generous marbling, the Tomahawk offers melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, making every bite incredibly satisfying.
  • Selection Tip: Look for a Tomahawk with even marbling throughout the meat and a generously thick “eye” of the ribeye for optimal flavor and tenderness.
  • Read more here.
Kitchen Guide

Beef, Lamb, Venison (steaks, chops, roast)

The USDA minimum safe internal temperature is 145°F.

Popular serving temperatures:

  • 110 – 120°F – Blue
  • 120 – 130°F – Rare
  • 130 – 135°F – Medium Rare (most popular, especially by chefs)
  • 135 – 145°F – Medium
  • 145 – 155°F – Medium Well
  • 155°F and more – Well Done
Read More
Food & Ingredients

Conventional, Grass-Fed, Pastured, and Organic Beef

April 17, 2024

Beef doesn’t magically appear in the grocery store. It follows a journey from the farm to your table, and the way cattle are raised along the way drastically influences everything from taste to sustainability. Let’s explore the different paths beef can take, and how those choices affect what ends up on your plate.

Read More
Tom Tom Founder

The world of beef steaks offers a delicious journey of exploration. Whether you crave a lean and flavorful meal, the satisfying balance of medium-fat options, or the pure indulgence of high-fat steaks, there’s a perfect cut out there waiting to become your next culinary masterpiece. So, fire up the grill, heat the skillet, and embrace the delicious possibilities of beef steaks!

About the Author:
TomFounder
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  • Published Recipes: 225
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  • Location: Iowa, USA
  • Member since: 2023-02-02
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