Beef products are worth around $52bn dollars to the US economy. Of all those beef products, steaks remain some of the most popular (and all of the most delicious) beef products on the market.
But when it comes to steaks, there are so many different cuts that it can often make your head spin. Finding the best steaks is all about knowing and understanding the different cuts out there.
Let's break down some of the most popular steak cuts available. If you see something you like, you can order most of these quality steaks online.
Filet Mignon
The filet is, as most steak connoisseurs agree, the king of the cuts. When properly cooked, this divinely tender cut of meat will melt in your mouth.
The steak is cut from the larger joint of meat known as the tenderloin. It comes from a strip of muscle that is tucked up against the back of the cow's backbone. This muscle doesn't get worked all that hard, and that's what gives the filet mignon its fantastic tenderness.
Because these steaks are so sought after, they tend to be the most expensive cut. Don't be surprised to see a higher price tag when you shop filet. It's also worth bearing in mind that while they have a lot of tenderness, they can often be less flavorful than other high-end cuts like a ribeye or porterhouse.
The filet is somewhat of a timeless classic and will always remain one of America's favorites.
Ribeye
Prizes for guessing where this cut comes from. It is, of course, from a section of the cow's ribs.
Ribeye steaks are beautiful. When you shop ribeye, pay close attention to the amount of marbling. Marbling is a steak-lovers word for the dispersal and amount of fat a steak has. Excellent, evenly marbled cuts like a ribeye will have a consistent, delicious flavor running throughout the steak. This is because the fat provides most of that great steak flavor you're used to.
While the ribeye can be a bit tougher than a filet, many steak experts seem to agree that it is by far the best overall steak, and it's easy to see why it is America's most popular cut.
You can find ribeye steaks served either on or off the bone. If you're stuck for what to add to your next steak box subscription, a ribeye is always a safe bet.
Porterhouse
The porterhouse steak (also known as New York strip or strip steak) is characterized by a rich cap of bright white fat. When rendered, this fat provides an astonishing flavor injection into this cut.
The porterhouse shares a characteristic with the ribeye in that it has a significant amount of marbling that keeps the steak succulent and flavorful. The porterhouse comes from the back of the cow.
In terms of its flavor and tenderness, it sits right in the middle of the filet and the ribeye, which is the perfect spot for some steak-lovers. The real beauty of the porterhouse is although it's one of the higher-end cuts, you'll often find it markedly cheaper than either a ribeye or a filet. It's hard to go wrong with a porterhouse if you're thinking about which cuts to send as steak gifts.
A porterhouse can sometimes be served on the bone, which leads us nicely to our next cut.
T-Bone
You better be hungry if you're attempting to take this one on.
The T-bone steak is a humungous cut that's actually more of a hybrid than a cut in its own right. Both cuts come from the back of the cow and sit on the thoracic vertebrae bone. On one side of the bone, you have the filet. On the other, you have the porterhouse—the best of both worlds for those who can't decide between the two.
You get the best of both worlds from these two contrasting steaks. The filet offers you mouth-melty tenderness, and the porterhouse delivers a big hit of meaty flavor. The drawback of T-bone steak is that it can be pricey and challenging to cook because it is essentially two steaks.
When cooking a T-bone, just be aware that the filet will cook quicker than the porterhouse, and the meat closer to the bone will take longer to cook. When done right, these steaks are a delight.
Sirloin
If you're on a budget, then a sirloin may well be the steak for you. A quick word of warning here, outside of the US, the term "sirloin" may refer to a porterhouse steak.
These steaks come from the lower back of the cow. This is why they are sometimes known as "rump steaks." They are lean and surprisingly tasty. You'll be able to find sirloin steaks on the menu in any steakhouse or in stock anywhere that sells steaks online. The biggest attraction of this cut is the reduced price.
You'll often get a lot more sirloin for your money compared to a ribeye or porterhouse.
Skirt
The skirt steak might be the cheapest on this list, but it packs a big flavor punch.
The cut is taken from the cow's diaphragm, and as such, it doesn't have much in the way of tenderness. What it lacks in tenderness, it more than makes up for in flavor. Skirt steaks also take a marinade incredibly well.
You'll often find skirt steaks served with chimichurri, which is an herb puree made mostly of coriander. If you haven't had the pleasure of trying skirt steak with chimichurri, then you should consider this affordable cut in the next delivery from your meat subscription.
Buy the Best Steaks Online
So that's some of the best steaks going. They've been listed in this article as most expensive to least expensive to show that there's a great steak waiting for you no matter what your budget.
Many people don't live close enough to a good quality butcher, and ten years ago, that would have been a big problem. Not anymore.
Now you can order everything from the comfort of your own home, and we'll ship steaks to you. Shop our extensive range of quality steaks today.