If you’re searching for the *most tender cuts of steak, it can be a challenge. There are dozens of different cuts of steaks available in the market.

Sometimes it becomes difficult for home chefs to select the inexpensive and most tender part of beef.

The average cow carcass yields about 16 steaks. The conventional wisdom is that filet mignon is the most tender cuts of beef. Filet mignon is a cut of beef taken from the tenderloin, which is a muscle that’s not used very often by cows. This means that it tends to be more tender than other cuts of steak. The filet mignon is cut from the middle of a beef tenderloin and you might also hear some steakhouses also call it filet mignon, as both words mean ‘delicate pieces of meat’.

Well, to make your cooking experience pleasant, we have brought this article. 

Let’s quickly look at what cooking professionals know as the most tender steak cuts.

I’ll be showing you more about the second most tender cut of steak and all other flavourful steaks after that. Ready?

What Are the Most Tender Cuts Of Steak? 7 Best Picks For Best Tender Steak

A piece of meat cut from the muscle fibers or connective tissue of an animal—typically a cow is known as a steak.

A steak is called a bone-in steak when it is surrounded by a bone. When there is fat covering the tissue, it is called marbling.

Many of the tender steak varieties come neatly marbled. They are prized for their fat content and flavor, which can range from buttery to nutty.

The job of home chefs becomes tougher when it comes to selecting a cut of meat. One must seek hearty beef flavor with juiciness and tender consistency.

Consider trying different cuts of steak, ranging from the luxurious and pricey to the more budget-friendly options. I promise that you’ll find your favorite cut of steak.

To make your purchase hassle-free, we’ve put together the 7 best tender steaks that you can get your hands on.

1. Filet mignon

The word filet mignon originated in France. Filet means ‘thread’ and mignon means ‘small and pretty.

As the name suggests, this small cut comes from the tenderloin, which is inside the ribcage of the cow. These steaks are naturally rounded as they come from the tube-shaped end of the muscle. 

It is usually one to two inches in thickness.

The filet mignon is only a small part of the cow. But it’s what most people find tasty. The amount of filet 1 cow produces would equal less than 1lb.

That is the reason we consider filet mignon to be the most expensive and tender steak.

Surprisingly, there is significantly less marbling than other steaks like the ribeye or New York Strip. It gives an exquisite melt-in-your-mouth texture.

You can cook it in a variety of ways, including grilling, broiling, and pan-searing.

So avoid overpriced and stuffy steaks from the steakhouse and make perfect filet mignon steaks at home.

Here are different ways to cook filet mignon tender steak. 

2. Ribeye Steak

This one is one of the best-tasting steaks out there, with great tenderness and flavor. You’ll love it whether you’re having it on its own or as part of a bigger meal!

The rib eye steak can be boneless or with bone. It comes from the primal rib section or chuck of the animal. You can tell from the cut size where it comes from. 

 It is often sold as a whole steak or sliced across the grain for easy cooking methods.

Rib eye steaks are also flavorful but not as rich as top sirloin or strip steaks. They tend to be more expensive than other cuts of meat, but they’re worth it if you want something that tastes great with just about anything on your plate.

You can hold a barbecue party in your backyard and enjoy the sizzling grilled rib-eye steaks with your loved ones. 

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3. New York Strip Steak

The strip steak is also known as the New York strip or Kansas City strip, depending on where it comes from.

Strip steaks are usually cut from the short loin of an animal. It has been popularized by chefs who prepare them in thin strips rather than long strips like bacon or pepperoni.

A strip steak that has a bit more fat than others, which makes it very tender and flavorful. Strip steak is the cheapest most tender beef and is an excellent choice when you want something that’s going to be both affordable and tasty!

It’s perfect for grilling over charcoal or gas flames—but only if you cook it properly! The strip steak should be cooked over medium-high heat until just pink on both sides; otherwise, it will become tough and chewy instead of tender and juicy. If you are searching for easy beef steak recipes to satisfy your cravings for red meat, then you should opt for strip steak. 

4. T-bone Steak

The T-bone is a twofer. You can get a tenderloin and strip loin both in a single cut of meat.

The bone portion of the T-bone is the part of the steer’s vertebrae. It can be fun cooking this thick, meaty steak. You need to be careful whilst cooking it because there is a possibility that one part of your steak will become overcooked whilst the other will be undone. 

The best part about this steak is that the cut comes from an area near the center of the ribs, but not directly on top of them—so it’s got a nice amount of fat in it that keeps it juicy while still being tender enough to eat as part of your regular rotation.

Worry no more and grill a perfect in-budget T-bone steak. 

5. Porterhouse Steak

Porterhouse steak is one of the most sought-after cuts of beef, known for its exceptional tenderness and rich flavor. The tenderness of this steak, like many cuts of meat, depends on its marbling.

The Porterhouse steak is a great choice for those who love a combination of two distinct flavors and textures.

On one side of the T-shaped bone is the tenderloin, often called the “filet,” which is incredibly tender and lean. On the other side is the New York strip, which has more marbling, providing a richer beefy flavor.

If you’re grilling, roasting, or pan-searing, the Porterhouse steak is best cooked to medium-rare or medium to fully appreciate its tenderness and flavor.

6. Top Sirloin steak

The thirst most tender steak on our list is the top sirloin steak.

This cut comes from the hip area, which is close to the cow’s round primal. The top sirloin steak is a lean cut that has a rich flavor with less fat than other cuts of beef.

 It’s a great choice for someone looking for a budget-friendly best tender steak cut. It provides a flavor similar to the more expensive filet mignon.

This humble steak can be cooked in less than 30 minutes in the way you desire. You can serve top sirloin steak with flavorful sides and can make your weekly dinner rotations amazing. 

7. Flank Steak

Flank steak is a leaner cut of beef steak. It’s taken from the flank, which lies forward behind the rear quarter of a cow. It’s a good all-purpose beef that’s suitable for grilling, roasting, broiling, or even sauteing. 

Is flank steak tender?

 Flank steaks are tender and flavorful, yet they don’t sacrifice any of the juiciness that a good steak should have.

They’re rich in flavor and texture, so you’ll be able to enjoy every bite without feeling like you’re eating a piece of rubber.

But you must be extra careful while cooking flank steak because it’s so lean and can become tough or overcooked in high heat.

Flat iron and flank steak are often mistaken for one another, as flat iron steak is not as well known. They both come from different parts of cows. Unlike a flat iron steak, flank steak is cut from the belly muscle called the flank primal.

You can make a perfectly pan-sear flank steak to appease your appetites. 

Cooking guide – How to Cook The Tender Steak

Tender steaks are a must for any steak lover. They’re the best way to ensure that your steak gets that juiciness and chewiness you crave from a good cut of beef.

But tender steaks aren’t as easy to come by as you might think! If you’re looking for a definitive guide on how to make the most tender steaks look no further—we have it covered. Here’s what we recommend:

Choose the right cut

When it comes to tenderness, it’s all about the cut of meat you use. The biggest mistake people make is buying tough cuts of meat.

If you want to make a tender steak, you need to buy one that is well-marbled and has a good ratio of meat to fat (1:1). This will ensure that your steak will be moist and full of flavor.

Cook them right

 You have two options when it comes to cooking your steak: pan-searing or grilling.

Both methods work well, but pan-searing creates a more even finish on the outside of your steak while grilling gives you an attractive grill mark.

Don’t overcook them

 The best way to get a perfect medium rare steak is by using a thermometer and letting it sit for at least 5 minutes before slicing into it—it will continue cooking as it rests on your plate, giving you an even texture throughout without having any parts too rare or raw where you can’t taste the beef.

Best Traeger Steak Temp And Time Guide You’ll Need

Why are some steaks more tender than others?

There are several reasons why one cut of beef is more tender than the other, but the biggest one is the fat content.

Fat:

This is Kobe beef, the best quality meat in the world. Only 3,000 cows a year are lucky enough to meet the high standard. Only three restaurants offer this kind of meat because there are not many in stock.

These tender steaks look so tempting you could cut them with a fork. It’s no surprise given the size of the muscle fibers. Fat, cooked fat, in particular, is tender and easy to chew so these steaks are sure to be delicious.

How to Tenderize Steak?

How To Make Tough Steak Tender: 8 Ways To Tenderize Steak

SALT

A lot of salt can help break down the muscle fibers and make for a more tender steak. Using coarse salt might be best, but table salt will also work.

This is a great tip: to make cheaper cuts of meat tender, heavily salt it for one hour for every inch of thickness.

Salting the steak this way overnight will render it much more tender by dinner time.

(PS: It’s worth noting that soy sauce is HIGH in salt and other simpler soy sauces can be more effective, although not quite as tasty IMO. Tamari-style soy sauce is recommended for the best results, though. )

Sous vide steak

Cooking your food with this technique will allow juices to be kept in the food, which is a great way of not losing moisture. The cooking method also breaks down proteins and muscle tissue which is how it gets steak tender.

There is a lot of chemistry involved here, but the process of sous vide cooking can turn any steak into a tender and juicy masterpiece.

Additionally, these machines are not expensive today and the longer you cook the meat, the more tender it will become.

After that, just open up the bag, put it on the grill, and char it on both sides to caramelize the surface.

Pounding: 

The best way to make the meat tenderize is to pound it. By using a meat mallet, you can break the tough muscle fibers of the meat.

The best way to do it is by wrapping the meat cut and pounding it before cooking to make the meat thickness even. 

Steaks treated this way, namely hammering it into submission, are also tender, but only because you put holes into it with the spiky end, and break down muscle fibers with the flat end.

It works, and most steaks treated that way are usually called MINUTE steaks because they cook WAY faster due to the holes. Also, flatter steaks cook way faster, as it’s not as thick, and more surface area gets cooked all at once.

Tools to Make Tender Steaks

Tender steaks are what you want when you want to grill up a delicious dinner, and four tools will help you make your steaks extra tender:

Meat Mallet: 

The best way to make the meat tenderize is to pound it. By using a meat mallet, you can break the tough muscle fibers of the meat.

The best way to do it is by wrapping the meat cut and pounding it before cooking to make the meat thickness even. 

A meat thermometer:

 This is essential for understanding the temperature of your meat, so you can cook it properly. You can use one of those cheap ones or invest in a more professional thermometer.

A cast iron skillet: 

Cast iron skillets are great because they retain heat very well, which means they’re perfect for searing meat before cooking it on the grill or in an oven.

If you don’t already have one, pick one up today!

A knife: 

You can’t cook steak without a sharp knife! We recommend having a serrated knife on hand for making thin slices of meats like steak.

It will help create nice cuts and make it easier for you to cut through tough muscle tissue without breaking down too much surface area or losing any juices inside your steak while you eat it!

 A cutting board:

 Don’t forget about this! You don’t want anything touching the surface of your meat—the juices from the steak will ruin it if they get on anything else. 

If you want your steaks extra flavorful, try using garlic salt instead of regular salt on the outside of each piece before grilling them up!

Just sprinkle some onto each side of your steak right before grilling them up so they’ll be more tender and flavorful.  

Final Words: What’s The Most Cuts Of Steak

Tender steaks are the best thing ever. If you are looking for a tender and juicy steak, many cuts will satisfy your needs.

A great way to start is with the filet mignon. This cut of beef comes from the tenderloin and has a texture that is both juicy and soft.

You can also try a flat iron steak. This steak is cooked as you like it. If you’re new to cooking, it’s easy to get lost in the world of steak and guesswork.

We want to make your cooking journey enjoyable and that’s why we have brought this guide for you.

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