Picking and Cooking Popular Steak Cuts

By K.C. Kudra

Are you someone who has a lot of trouble telling different kinds of steak apart? It is not an uncommon tendency, particularly among those of us who eat our steak mostly in restaurants. However, if you would like to start making your own steak dinners at home, you can learn how to do it. Let us take a look at the options available and the best ways to prepare them.

Rib Eye - This is one of the best all around cuts, since its high level of fat makes it hard to do badly, with the steak ending up juicy, tender, and flavorful in most cases. It is a good choice for novices, since its great pan fried, grilled, and broiled.

New York Strip - Also, this versatile and tender cut is relatively flavorful. It is best prepared by pan frying or grilling, not broiling. The fat can be trimmed, but do it only after cooking - the fat is what adds the flavor to this great steak.

Tenderloin - This is one of the most expensive cuts of steak on the market, and is extremely tender and lean. That has why many decide to pan sear it in butter, or cook it in a wrapping of bacon. Due to its price, most people only cook tenderloin as a special treat.

T-Bone - We have all heard of the t-bone, a combination tenderloin and New York Strip. Porterhouse steaks are a kind of large, tender t-bone steak that is cut further up the loin. They can be pretty tricky to cook, since the bone makes it hard to cook evenly throughout. This is not a steak for those who prefer their meat well done, and it does not sear or pan fry well. Try broiling or grilling a t-bone for best results.

Flank Steak - A long, thin cut that is usually used in London Broil; this is also a favorite in grilling season. The large size of this cut makes it great for serving more people. Remember that this is a flavorful steak, but the flavor comes with toughness. Marinate it and broil or grill whole, then slice on the diagonal, across the grain.

Skirt Steak - This cut is a lot like flank steak in flavor and toughness, and is an old cowboy favorite that has a number of different cooking options. This is a great choice, whether you are cooking steak indoors or outside. Use it in fajitas, or stuff and braise it.

Top Sirloin - This popular steak is affordable, and more tender than flank and skirt steaks. It is tougher than the fanciest cuts, however, and is very lean. Pound and marinate it for cooking on the grill, or use it in kebabs. - 30241

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