Best Types of Steak - Smithfield Butchers (2024)

Choosing the best cut of beef for your meal can be difficult as there are many varieties of steak with their own characteristics and benefits to suit different cooking styles. To make this easier, we have compiled a list of the most popular steak cuts along with some information so you can make the most of your meat!

Best Types of Steak - Smithfield Butchers (2)

Ribeye

The Ribeye is generally considered to be the most flavourful steak. These steaks are cut from the ribs and contain a lot of marbling throughout. The muscle from where the Ribeye is cut, isn’t used often so the meat is very tender. Ribeye's can come either boneless or bone-in (bone-in Ribeye's are also known as Tomahawk Steaks). The best way to cook a Ribeye steak is by searing it on a high heat, if you are cooking a bone-in Ribeye, the meat nearest the bone will cook faster so keep an 'eye' on it.

T-Bone

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The T-Bone Steak is cut from the Sirloin and is comprised of sirloin and fillet separated by the T shaped bone. The pairing of the fillet and sirloin means that the T-bone steak has a lot of flavour.

When cooking a T-bone steak, as this steak contains two cuts of beef, the fillet is likely to cook faster than the sirloin. We recommend searing the steak on a high heat for a couple of minutes each side and the transfer into the oven to finish off.

Sirloin

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Cut from the mid- back between the ribs and rump, the Sirloin steak is characterised by its beefy flavour and good amount of marbling. The Sirloin steak is also known for its tenderness however it needs to be cooked carefully to ensure it doesn't loose it. We would recommend frying the Sirloin on a high heat and leaving it to rest for around 5 mins to make sure its retains its tenderness.

Fillet

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The fillet steak, also known as Filet Mignon, is widely regarded as the premium cut. It is from the lower back of the cow which is rarely used meaning the fillet steak is the most tender cut. It is also very lean, with minimal marbling which means that it is not as flavoursome as other cuts. Due to the tenderness of this steak, it is well suited to cooking on high heats for a few minutes each side, you don't want to over cook this steak as it may loose some of its tenderness.

Rump

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Cut from the back end of the cow, the muscle is frequently used which means the rump steak is not as tender as some of the other cuts and is very lean. Rump Steaks are generally marinated before cooking and are suited to frying and broiling.

Hanger

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Also known as the ‘Butcher’s steak’, the hanger steak is less well known as the others above however it is a great cut of steak. The hanger steak is cut from the underside of the cow which means that it is incredibly tender due to the muscle rarely being used. This cut of steak is best fried on a high heat for 2-3 minutes on each side (medium rare).

Best Types of Steak - Smithfield Butchers (2024)

FAQs

Best Types of Steak - Smithfield Butchers? ›

These cuts—ribeye, New York strip loin, and filet mignon—can certainly be dubbed the best, and few will disagree. “Filet is the most tender cut, but has the least amount of flavor. Ribeye is the most flavorful, but the least tender of the three, and New York is in the middle.” Flannery explains.

What is the best steak to buy from a butcher? ›

These cuts—ribeye, New York strip loin, and filet mignon—can certainly be dubbed the best, and few will disagree. “Filet is the most tender cut, but has the least amount of flavor. Ribeye is the most flavorful, but the least tender of the three, and New York is in the middle.” Flannery explains.

What is the butchers favorite cut of steak? ›

Butchers and beef experts have long favored the flat iron for its incredible tenderness — it is a close second to its more popular cousin, the filet mignon, considered the most tender steak of them all.

What are the top 5 steaks to buy? ›

To make steaks slightly less mysterious, we've put together this guide to the top five cuts.
  • T-Bone. Serious carnivores usually have a special fondness for t-bone steaks. ...
  • Porterhouse. ...
  • Ribeye. ...
  • Filet Mignon. ...
  • New York Strip. ...
  • Come By Cattlemen's Steakhouse in OKC.

What is the best steak to order at a steakhouse? ›

How to Choose the Best Cut of Meat for Your Steakhouse Experience
  • For Tenderness: Filet. ...
  • For Intense Flavor: Ribeye. ...
  • For a Combination: New York Strip. ...
  • For a Bone-In Experience: T-Bone or Cowboy Ribeye. ...
  • For a Large Portion: Porterhouse. ...
  • Savor Your Favorite Steak Cut at Ruth's Chris Steak House.
Apr 6, 2021

What are the top 5 most tender steaks? ›

What the Taste Testers Say: Subjective Results
Sensory PanelShear Force Results
Tenderloin (Psoas Major)Tenderloin (Psoas Major)
Flat Iron (Infraspinatus)Flat Iron (Infraspinatus)
Loin Eye (Longissimus Lumborum)Ribeye (Spinalis Dorsi)
Ribeye (Longissimus Thoracis)Denver Steak (Serratus Ventralis)
3 more rows

Is sirloin or ribeye better? ›

With more marbling, ribeye steaks are better known for their rich flavor and texture. However, dry-aging grilled sirloin steak can enhance its beefy taste without adding fat. Both ribeye and sirloin are wonderfully tender cuts, but ribeye has the edge here.

What is the poor man's steak cut? ›

In fact, it's often called the “poor man's ribeye.” It comes from the same part of the cow as the prize ribeye, but it's cut thinner so butchers can get an extra piece to sell. Cook chuck-eye steaks just like you would a real ribeye. Give it a little salt and pepper, and sear it on a cast-iron skillet or grill.

What is the king of steaks cut? ›

Often referred to as “the king of steaks”, the Porterhouse is actually two steaks in one. One side of the bone yields a succulent and tender tenderloin, while the other side yields a flavourful striploin. Porterhouse steaks are famous for their size.

What is the highest rated steak? ›

Prime. Prime grade beef is the highest quality you can get. It features beautiful red meat laced with thin striations of white fat. This meat is well suited for a multitude of cooking conditions.

What steak do chefs recommend? ›

Most chefs opt for a ribeye as being one of the best cuts of meat.

Which steak is the most delicious? ›

The Ribeye is generally considered to be the most flavourful steak. These steaks are cut from the ribs and contain a lot of marbling throughout. The muscle from where the Ribeye is cut, isn't used often so the meat is very tender.

Is Porterhouse better than ribeye? ›

If you're a ravenous meat monger, the porterhouse definitely wins out, but if you're looking to savor a delicious yet manageable meal for one, the ribeye may be a more suitable cut. All in all, both the porterhouse steak and ribeye steak are two fantastically flavorful, high-quality cuts of meat.

Is NY strip or ribeye better? ›

The New York strip's balance of flavor and lean meat justifies its slightly more budget-friendly status, while the ribeye offers exceptional tenderness and marbling, contributing to its more coveted status and thus higher price tag.

Is filet mignon better than ribeye? ›

Although the rib eye and filet mignon are two of the most talked-about cuts – and some of the most expensive – they couldn't be more different. Depending on your steak preferences, the ribeye is perfect for those who prefer flavor, and the filet mignon is the better choice for those who prefer texture.

What is the best cut of meat to turn into steaks? ›

While various cuts of beef can be used to make steak, some cuts are more commonly associated with traditional steaks due to their tenderness and flavor. Examples include ribeye, sirloin, filet mignon, and New York strip. Tougher cuts may require different cooking methods, like slow braising, to become tender.

What is the best cut of steak according to chefs? ›

Aware that filet mignon is probably off the cards for a weekly treat, the chefs in our survey opt largely for a rib-eye. The cut has excellent fat marbling, holds together well, and is especially life-affirming when thickly butchered.

What is the best thickness for steaks from a butcher? ›

While 1 inch is a good starting point, the best steaks, especially when it comes to premium cuts like ribeyes and strips, are around 1.5 inches in thickness. A 1.5 inch thick steak – the size you'll find from most premium butchers or wholesalers – is where steak excellence really starts to happen.

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