The Best Cuts of Meat and How to Cook Them

When a skilled butcher creates different cuts of steak from a cow, you end up with a lot of delicious meat. But each cut has a different flavor and texture. Knowing what to choose and how to cook it can be confusing, especially when you walk into your local grocery store and see it all displayed together. To demystify some of this, here is what you need to know about some of the best cuts of steak and how to cook them. 

The Best Cuts of Meat and How to Cook Them

Filet Mignon

What It Is:

Filet mignon is a tender part of the cow’s back, coming from the very tip of the tenderloin. It does lack some flavor because it doesn’t come with a bone. But you can certainly enhance its taste when preparing it. 

How to Cook It:

Many cooks love to wrap a filet in bacon. Because this is a thick cut of meat, it’s ideal for grilling or broiling. Whichever method you choose, a shorter cooking time will lock in the flavors. It can also be combined with your favorite au jus or sauce, like bearnaise. 

T-Bone

What It Is:

This is a recognizable cut of meat due to its T-shaped bone. The meat contains a nice-sized tenderloin on one side and a strip of top loin on the other. 

How to Cook It:

This type of steak is best prepared by grilling or pan-frying with a variety of seasonings, like basic salt and pepper, paprika, coriander, and turmeric. 

New York Strip

What It Is:

A New York strip steak comes from a part of the cow’s short loin. This is a boneless steak that you get from the larger end of the loin. It generally has a lot of marbling and will come with some large pieces of fat surrounding the meat. While not the most tender meat, New York strip is known for having a ton of flavor. 

How to Cook It:

The best way to cook this meat is over high heat. You first can add seasoning to your taste and then grill, broil, or pan-sear the meat to your desired doneness. 

Prime Rib

What It Is:

Prime rib, as the name suggests, comes from the cow’s rib section. It is a large roasting joining that generally contains big sections of rib bone. As such, the meat usually has a lot of flavor. 

How to Cook It:

This cut of meat is best cooked for an extended time at a low temperature. If you are looking for a slow-cook type of meat, prime rib might be an ideal choice. 

Ribeye

What It Is:

Also sometimes called a Delmonico, a ribeye steak comes from the center, or “eye,” of a cow’s rib area. This type of steak usually has a lot of marbling, which is the fat around the muscles. While a ribeye’s flavor is known to be mild, it is also incredibly juicy and tender. 

How to Cook It:

In general, ribeyes should be cooked over the grill to about medium. You can grill a ribeye slightly longer than other meat due to its high fat content. Combine the meat with any sauce or seasonings you prefer for additional flavor. 

Brisket

What It Is:

Brisket is found on the cow’s lower breast. It is one of the most popular cuts of meat due to its versatility. You’ll find it anywhere from Texas BBQ to Vietnamese Pho. 

How to Cook It:

There are many different ways to cook brisket. One of the most traditional ways is to cover it with your favorite rub and then slow smoke it until it looks like it’s about to fall apart. 

Top Sirloin

What It Is:

A top sirloin steak comes from directly below the cow’s tenderloin strip area. This means it can be tough because the meat comes from a muscular part of the cow. But that shouldn’t discourage you from trying it. This steak can be quite flavorful.  

How to Cook It:

The best way to prepare and cook top sirloin is to first brush it with olive oil and then add your favorite seasonings. This steak should be grilled, and medium rare is the best temperature to achieve optimal flavor and tenderness. 

Get the Best Cuts of Meat at Nick’s of Clinton

As you can see, there are many different cuts of meat you can choose to cook and different ways to prepare them. But you’ll want to start with high-quality meat. If you’d like help choosing the perfect cut, feel free to ask one of our butchers for assistance. Our meat counter is the centerpiece of our store! Nick’s of Clinton is always happy to help customers find the perfect items for their next family meal, barbeque, or event. Visit us today or give us a call at (301) 843-4825.