How To Prepare A Steak For Grilling:
Now that youve bought a nice steak, heres how to prepare them before cooking.
What Temperature Should You Cook Flat Iron Steak
Medium-rare flat iron is the most tender and flavorful for me. Cook the flat iron steak over medium-high heat until it is done to your liking.
For your convenience, here is a list of beef degrees of doneness:
- Cool Red Center = 125 degrees, which is unusual.
- Warm Red Center = 135 degrees
- Medium Rare: Warm Red Center = 135 degrees
- Medium: Warm Pink Center = 145°F
- 150 degrees for a medium well with a slightly pink center.
- Well Done: 160 degrees with little or no pink.
Remember to remove your steak when its just a few degrees below your desired temperature because it will continue to cook as it rests.
Why Are There So Many People Who Think Other Steaks Are Tender
I hear this question asked all the time, and it baffles me that there are people who think other steaks are more tender.
In fact, I even get told that a cheaper cut of steak is the most tender.
The reason for this view is clear, because when you eat a filet mignon it melts in your mouth and all you taste is buttery goodness.
So it makes sense to believe other cuts of beef are more tender because its the most decadent tasting.
But, when you try other cuts of meat, they dont taste that great, and this is why people think others are more tender.
However, if you eat filet mignon one time after another, eventually your tastebuds will stop noticing how good it is, and youll get used to the taste.
At this point, its easy to tell that other steaks are also tender.
But, dont get me wrong here, the filet mignon is still better than others when it comes to tenderness, but it does not last forever.
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So Which Steak Cut Is The Most Tender
Without question, the most tender steak cut is the Filet Mignon. Now, Im not talking about a 1-dimensional taste test here and there, Im talking real experience.
The tenderness of the filet mignon cannot be beaten when it comes to steak.
Its notorious for its flavor and tenderness, which is why its one of the most expensive cuts on the market.
The filet steak is the king of tenderness, its a cut that simply melts in your mouth and tastes incredible.
In fact, its so tender that you could pull it apart with your hands and not even need a serrated steak knife.
There are other steaks of course, but the filet mignon is on a whole different level of deliciousness.
Of course, if you cook it right.
If you look at steak recipes online that have filet mignon in them, they will often use methods that maximize tenderness, which is why its so tender.
How To Cook Filet Mignon
The best way to cook Filet Mignon is to sear it over high heat with herbs, garlic and butter, which adds a rich essence to this lean cut. Searing quickly gives the steak a desirable surface and keeps the inside juicy.
Once the steak is nicely charred on both sides, finish it in the hot oven until the interior reaches the desired temperature. Medium rare Filet Mignon is great with 130°F internal temperature. But bear in mind that its necessary to remove the steak from the oven when the thermometer registers 5-10°F lower than desired doneness. This is to avoid overcooking, otherwise it will be tough and dry owing to the low amount of fat.
Then, let it rest for 10 minutes which allows the heat to redistribute over the whole piece of meat. And lets dig in!
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Grilling The Perfect Steak
Grilling is just the ticket when the summer temperatures are blazing. Its also a great way to feed a hungry crowd.
Since we are cattle ranchers, we typically raise our own beef, but on occasion we the freezer runs dry. Thats really a sad day for me.
Depending on the availability of our cattle and the time of the year, we sometimes fill in with ground beef and steaks from the local meat market or grocery store.
On more than one occasion, I have paid a big price for what I expected would be tender and delicious steak, only to be disappointed that it was tough as a boot. Dont you just hate that?
Plus you may not always have the budget for that top dollar steak. This tried and true method for grilling a tender and juicy steak is great for all cuts.
What Is Hanger Steak
Hanger Steak is another cut with an extremely tender texture. It comes from the muscle that used to support the cows diaphragm. But it actually just hangs from the diaphragm and does nothing. Due to the lack of movement, its very tender. And there is only one Hanger in every cow.
In the past, because it was universally perceived to be a crude cut of meat, butchers usually kept the Hanger Steak for themselves but not sold it on the market. Therefore, its also known as butchers steak. But in fact, it has a deep beef flavor with a nice texture.
A whole Hanger Steak is in V-shape and its divided by a long membrane in the middle. And you should remove the membrane before cooking this cut.
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Top 3 Grilling Steak Tips
TUTORIALS
Don’t Keep Flank Steak On The Sideline
Fatty or tender cuts of beef tend to shine with subtle seasoning. Any bold herb and spices can completely mask what people love about these cuts. For example, covering filet mignon with a robust chimichurri sauce would be a waste of both the steak and the sauce.
Flank steak isn’t particularly tender and doesn’t contain a lot of fat. However, it does have a pronounced beefy flavor that plays well with bold seasonings. A flank steak will greatly benefit from time in a marinade. A simple 3-ingredient steak marinade recipe includes balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and soy sauce. Even after several hours in a marinade, you should take care not to cook a flank steak past medium, or else you’ll end up with a chewy piece of meat.
After cooking the steak and allowing it to rest, cutting flank steak against the grain is so important. When you cut a flank steak perpendicular to the direction of the muscle fibers, it significantly reduces the amount of chewing you have to do.
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What Is Ribeye Cap Steak
Ribeye Steak is prestigious and gorgeous among almost all the steaks, yet Ribeye Cap Steak is even superior to it. Ribeye Cap Steak is the outer muscle of the ribeye roll, which is the source of Ribeye Steak and Prime Rib.
It has a lot of names like deckle steak and calotte while the best description is butchers butter. As this extraordinary cut will melt on your tongue like butter due to the rich marbling. It is heavenly tender, juicy, flavourful and marbled, all come together in this poetic steak. But most of the gourmets taste Ribeye Cap Steak for its abundant marbling but not the tender mouthfeel.
It is rare and luxurious, so its lesser-known when compared to Ribeye Steak. This limited cut is a secret for the true beef aficionados and it is highly prized by them. Not many places can you find the Ribeye Cap Steak, try to look for it in supreme butcher shops or restaurants.
The Best Steaks For Your Bbq
Finding the best steak to toss on the grill will depend on your preference. Whether you enjoy a nice tender juicy steak or something more firm with a rich texture, you will find some great options within this list.
Try out some different options and see where your tastebuds lead you. Any of these cuts will make for a perfect day out on the grill. Paired with the right sides, steak can really make a meal memorable.
In this Article
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What Are The Top 5 Most Tender Steaks
All of these steaks are tender and juicy, making them some of the most popular cuts on restaurant menus. If youre looking for a tender steak to enjoy at home, any one of these will fit the bill!
If youre looking for something even more tender, consider trying out a Wagyu steak. These steaks come from specially-bred cattle, which results in meat that is highly marbled with fat and incredibly rich in flavor. While they may be hard to find at your local grocery store, many butchers and restaurants carry Wagyu steaks so keep an eye out for them next time youre shopping!
How Do I Cook The Most Tender Steak
In order to have the most tender steak, you need to prepare them properly.
This is one of the most important steps and youll notice that cooking a tough steak will make it easier to eat and more tender.
There are many ways to cook a filet mignon, but my favorite way is to pan-fry it.
Ensure that you season your steak before you cook it.
Some people like to add butter or oil, but I dont think its necessary and that adding other ingredients will spoil the taste of such a delicious steak.
You should also ensure that your pan is very hot before you add your steak.
This ensures that searing takes place, which locks in all the juices of the steak.
You should also be very gentle when you flip your steak, so that it doesnt break apart and remain juicy throughout cooking.
Eating the most tender steak is an incredible experience, but its worth noting that all cuts can be tasty.
It may take some practice to get used to other cuts of meat, but after that, youll be able to enjoy them just as much as filet mignon.
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If You’re In A Grilling Rut It’s Time To Switch Things Up Check Out Our Favorite Steaks To Toss On The Grill
I dont know about you, but I often find myself in a grilling rut. Week after week, Im grilling up the same top sirloin steak, a round of burgers and vegetable skewers. Well, its time to break out of that routine! Theres a whole world of meats you didnt know you could ask for at the butcher counter. But sometimes its hard to make changeshow do you know which is the best steak for grilling and which should be saved for other cooking methods? As a former restaurant chef, I know all about the different cuts of beef. There are many steaks well-marbled and tender enough to simply toss on the grill, and there are a few that benefit from some marinade. And then, there are a few cuts Id avoid completely when it comes to the grill. Lets take a peek at which steaks fall into which category.
What Steak Cut Is The Most Expensive
The most expensive cut of steak is the tenderloin. This cut is taken from the smaller muscles on the back of a cow, and it has a very delicate flavor with a buttery texture. Tenderloins are typically served as filet mignon or tournedos. While other cuts may be less expensive, they offer much greater variety in taste and texture than tenderloins, so they are worth exploring if you want to find your favorite steak!
There are many different types of steaks available, making it easy to find one that suits both your tastes and your budget. The most expensive steak cuts can also be some of the best tasting and most tender due to their rich flavor and luxurious texture. If you are looking to splurge on a special meal, tenderloin steaks may be just what you need! Whether you prefer your steak grilled, pan-seared, or broiled, there is sure to be a cut of beef that suits your tastes and budget. So explore the different cuts available and find a steak that you love!
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Why Salting Time Is Important
If you salt the steaks, say 30 minutes prior, itll do more harm than good. Because when you salt meat, salt draws out the moisture onto the surface of the meat and that moisture wont get reabsorbed within 30 minutes. That moisture will prevent a beautiful sear were looking for in a perfect steak.
What To Do With Leftover Steak
Got leftover steak? Dont waste it! Here are a few ideas to repurpose it:
Salad: make our Butter Lettuce Salad and top it with sliced grilled steak. Or, make our Steak Salad Recipe with tons of veggie and an herby vinaigrette.
Nachos: make a big sheet pan of nachos and instead of using ground beef, use sliced steak instead.
Bowls: Make our beef taco bowls, but use diced steak instead of ground beef.
Mac and Steak: Make a box of mac and cheese and serve it with sliced grilled steak.
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Most Tender Steak Cuts Ranked
Steak is one of the most popular ways to enjoy beef. Its a classic dish thats famous all over the world, and with different cuts and methods of cooking, steak lovers can enjoy a variety of flavors every time they dine at their favorite steakhouse.
Personally, I love steak. Even chewy, tough steak. My wife, however, cant stand anything but the most tender, flavorful steaks. So I wanted to so some research to find the most tender cuts of steak out there!
If theres one thing any steak fan knows, its that there are many different cuts in a cow that can be used to make a steak. And because they come from different parts of the cows body, they end up having different flavors and textures from one another. Some cuts have soft and tender muscles that melt in your mouth, while other cuts are known for their toughness and leanness.
If youre new to the whole steak-eating hobby, or you just want to try out some tender steak for yourself, then youve come to the right place. Weve listed some of the most popular cuts found in beef and ranked them in order of tenderness , so you can get an idea of whats good and whats not in that regard.
And if you love steak, I recommend trying one of these steak of the month clubs. Why? A lot of times the meat you get from places like SaveMart or other big grocery stories is factory farmed, and not the highest quality.
Dont Start Without A Super Hot Grill
Be sure to let your charcoal fully catch and heat up before attempting to grill on it, about 20-30 minutes, says Prentiss. Your fire should have a bed of red hot coals, high, even heat across the grill, and minimal flames and smoke.
A hot cooking surface is extremely important to caramelize the outside of the steak and secure in the flavor, says Jayawardena. This method will give you a crispy on the outside, yet moist and tender on the inside steak.
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What To Serve With A Striploin Steak
When deciding what to serve with a striploin steak, the first thing youll want to consider is how you want your steak cooked. Striploin are usually served medium-rare or medium however, if you prefer your meat well done, thats fine too.
The second thing you should think about is whether or not you enjoy sauces with your steak. If so, then there are plenty of options available for you. Some people enjoy traditional steakhouse side dishes like mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables, while others like to keep things simple by pairing their steak with a salad or some steamed broccoli. No matter what you decide, just be sure that whatever sides or sauces you choose pair well with the flavor of your steak.
When it comes to choosing a wine to serve with your steak, youll want to look for something that is full-bodied and bold enough to stand up to the rich flavors of the meat. Burgundy or Cabernet Sauvignon are both great options, as they go well with most types of red meat. If you prefer white wines, then Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay should work nicely. Just be sure to drink whatever wine you choose in moderation otherwise, its flavor might overpower your steak if you have too much.
No matter what sides or sauces you decide on, just be sure that they complement the flavors in your striploin steak!
