The Best Cuts of Steak and How To Cook Them

Steak is a type of meat that comes in various cuts and sizes. Each type of steak varies in tenderness, texture, marbling of fat and even natural flavors. Certain cuts cook better on a grill vs. a cast-iron skillet.

Navigating the best cuts of steak can be confusing since there are so many options. From tender, melt-in-your-mouth filet mignon to robust ribeye, each type of steak has something different to offer. Let’s find your perfect cut, along with how to cook it and the best cooking method.

1. Filet mignon

Filet mignon is a tender cut of steak that comes from the tenderloin, the muscle along the spine. Since this piece of meat is so tender, it results in a buttery smooth texture that doesn’t require the sharpest knife to cut it. Filet mignon has hardly any fat or visible signs of marbling. It’s tenderness also means it doesn’t need a marinade — a simple seasoning blend, sauce or garlic butter will work best.

Common names: Beef tenderloin, beef loin, tenderloin steak

How to cook it: Any cooking method, including pan-roasting, grilling or cast-iron skillet

Filet mignon recipes: 

• The perfect filet mignon
• Filet mignon with pepper cream sauce

2. Ribeye

One of the best cuts of steak is the ribeye, which comes from the center rib section. This type of steak has the most marbling or fat, resulting in a more flavorful piece of meat compared to filet mignon. You can get this cut of meat boneless or bone-in. This is a great option if you’re a beginner because it’s packed with fat, so overcooking it slightly will still result in a juicy steak. 

Remember that you’ll want to buy a ribeye with good marbling to ensure you get the juiciest one. You’ll also want to keep the seasoning to a minimum — a salt and pepper rub works perfectly to avoid covering up the natural beefy flavor.

Common names: Prime rib, Spencer cut, Scotch fillet, Delmonico steak 

How to cook it: Grill or cast iron 

Ribeye recipes: 

• Herb-crusted prime rib roast 
• Drool-worthy Philly cheesesteak

3. New York strip

New York strip is the best cut of steak that falls between filet mignon and ribeye in terms of tenderness. This piece of meat comes from the short loin right behind the ribs. New York strip is sold boneless and has a fine-grained texture. Enjoy a solid amount of marbling without the larger price tag of ribeye or filet mignon. Add your favorite sauce or seasoning blend to spice up your steak — enjoy the piece of meat by itself or pair it with mashed potatoes and green beans for an easy dinner idea for two.

Common names: Strip loin steak, Kansas City strip, Manhattan 

How to cook it: Grill, pan-sear or broil

New York strip recipes:

• Seared strip steak
• Additional New York strip recipes

4. T-bone or porterhouse

T-bone steak is a piece of meat with a distinct T-shape because it combines the New York strip and tenderloin. Enjoy the tenderness of filet mignon while indulging in the bold flavors of the New York strip with every bite. The porterhouse cut of steak is a T-bone steak with a larger portion of tenderloin. These cuts of steak can be intimidating to cook due to their large size. If you’re a novice cook, you might prefer an oven to a grill or cast iron.

Common names: T-bone, porterhouse or date steak

How to cook it: Grill, cast iron or oven

T-bone recipes: 

• Stout-soaked porterhouse with beer butter
• Pan-seared T-bone

5. Sirloin

Sirloin is an affordable cut of steak that comes from the rear area. This type of steak combines the tenderness of filet mignon and the beefy flavor of ribeye. Choose top sirloin for a leaner, tender cut of beef, and bottom sirloin for slower cooking methods, including stir-fry. Sirloin is one of the best cuts of steak because of its versatility — you can serve it at a barbecue or order it at upscale restaurants. You can pan-sear sirloin so it develops a savory crust, grill it for a smoky taste or roast it in the oven for a juicy center.

Common names: Top sirloin, bottom sirloin 

How to cook it: Grill, cast iron or oven 

Sirloin recipes: 

• Sliced sirloin with shallot sauce
• Sirloin tips with pepper sauce

Grab it now on Instacart:

Filet mignon

Ribeye

New York strip

T-bone

Porterhouse

Sirloin

Steak sauce

Steak seasoning

Tips for cooking steak

No one wants to ruin a perfect cut of steak by overcooking it. Here are some tips to cook steak to perfection every time.

• Let it rest: Make sure to let your steak rest after you take it off the heat to lock in the juices. Resting also lets the internal temperature even out, ensuring a consistent level of doneness.
• Season properly: Salt and pepper are safe options when it comes to steak seasonings — they help enhance the natural flavor of the steak without overcomplicating it. Make sure to pat your steak dry before seasoning to ensure the meat is free of excessive moisture.
• Use high heat: The first rule of how to grill or sear steak is to use high heat so the outside crust caramelizes and locks in those natural flavors. This process helps create more texture on the outside while keeping the center moist and tender.
• Don’t forget your meat thermometer: While the old-fashioned finger test works to determine if your steak is rare to medium, it’s important to use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature is safe for consumption. This cooking tool also helps you not overcook your steak.
• Use a cooking calculator: A cooking time calculator means you can stop guessing when your steak is fully cooked. This is especially useful for larger cuts of steak or if you’re cooking more than one piece at a time.

Cut of steak FAQ

Aside from the best cut of steak, here are some commonly asked questions regarding this type of meat.

A cut above the rest

Now that you’re an expert on the best cut of steak, it’s time to get started prepping your meal. Keep in mind the tenderness, marbling of fat and grilling method when looking for your perfect type of steak. Certain cuts of steak, like ribeye, work better with a simple salt and pepper rub compared to those that benefit from sauces and marinades, like sirloin.

Reduce your prep time by placing an online order today for different types of steak. From filet mignon to porterhouse, you can receive your steaks without leaving your home.

Instacart

Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.