Knowing the different kinds of steak and the certain kinds of cut can be slightly stressful. Often it’s the most expensive thing on the menu (or at the butcher shop, and bovine knowledge is power friends). You may find yourself asking should I be ordering a rib eye or a hangar? Which cut will my guests enjoy more at the dinner table? These are all important questions, and it’s good to know the different types of cuts before you spend big money on an unworthy piece of meat.
Tenderloin
Snake River Farms
Also known asa: filet, fillet, chateaubriand, filet mignon
Where it’s from: The tenderloin has an oblong shape that’s located right between the sirloin and short sirloin area. There are three parts of a tenderloin cut, including the “butt” (thick end), the “center cut” (middle), and the “tail” (thinnest).
The tenderloin is a cut served at some of the best steakhouses and is known as a “special occasion” steak. A higher end steakhouse will serve the center cut of the tenderloin since it’s the most consistent in size. Since it is the leanest, it has less flavor compared to other cuts, but is known as the most buttery and tenderest of all steaks. Be prepared to shell out some money for this one.
Wine pairing: Try a Bordeaux from California, Spain or Italy. Bordeaux matches with almost all cuts of beef, and tenderloin is no exception.
New York Strip
Serious Eats
Also known as: strip steak, strip loin, shell steak
Where it’s from: The strip comes from the short loin of the cow.
The strip steak is a classic staple amongst steakhouses and is known as a moderately tender cut with a fat marbling. An alternative to the tenderloin steak, a strip steak is more lean, has significantly more fat content, and is a fine-grained texture.An extremely popular cut due to its prominent beefy flavor, this is the best steak for anyone looking for something classic.
Drink pairing: Try a Cabernet or any rich, red wine. A full bodied wine has a more pronounced taste that lingers longer and matches well with the steak’s strong flavors.
Ribeye
Calvetti Farms
Also known as: market steak, beauty steak
Where it’s from: The rib eye is from the rib section (numbers 6 through 12 typically)
A popular steak choice, the rib eye is a flavorful cut that boasts a fat marbling and a buttery flavor. Many people choose this steak for its taste and tenderness. It has the most fat compared to other cuts which is where it gets its tenderness from.
Drink pairing: Try a Grenache wine, a perfect pairing for fattier cuts.
Porterhouse & T-Bone
Serious Eats
Where it’s from: Both are cut from the short loin
Why choose between a filet mignon or New York strip steak when you can have both? The Porterhouse and T-Bone are similar steaks and only differ in size. Both cuts boast two very different types of steak including a New York strip steak as the smaller cut and a larger filet mignon on the other end. A T-Bone cut steak is the same as the porterhouse cut, only it’s a little smaller than its counterpart. Next time you’re ordering out and not sure what to get, get the best of both worlds with these options.
Drink pairing: Try a Zinfandel or Cabernet; due to the fattier cuts and stronger taste of these cuts, it will pair well with any of the two.
Flank Steak
Martha Stewart
Where it’s fromf: the underbelly and bottom abdomen of the cow
A very popular choice of steak, this steak is ubiquitous at restaurants you frequent on the daily. When you’re eating stir-fry from your local Chinese wok or grubbing down on a plate of fajitas, you’re chowing down on flank steak. Flank is known for being tougher but it also packs a ton of flavor. Most people serve this steak by cutting thin slices.
Drink pairing: Try a Merlot or Zinfandel to balance out the zesty flavors of the flank steak. Even if you’re eating a flavorful wok infused with pineapples and sauces, a dry red will bring out the flank
Tri-Tip
The Butcher and the Baker
Also known as: Santa Maria Steak
Where it’s from: toward the rear, above the flank and behind the short loin
Tri-tip sandwiches smothered in barbecue is what we live for. Well, for at least us Californians. Popular in the central coast and central valley of California, it’s become popularized in other areas of America including New York and Texas. Prominent in fast-food and barbeque joints, this inexpensive steak is perfect for an afternoon of grilling with its lean cut. Smother it in sauce and seasoning and you’re good to go.
Drink pairing: Try a Syrah or a Merlot which will complement the seasoning well with the tri-tip.
The post Steak Guide: The Types of Steaks You Need to Know appeared first on The GentleManual.
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