

FROM RANCH TO TABLE
SRF BLOG
Holiday Entertaining Guide - the Easiest Holiday Party Ever
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
Holiday Entertaining Guide - the Easiest Holiday Party Ever
By: Snake River Farms
With these tips from Nathan Michael and Julia Flowers, your stylish festive gathering will be the least stressful item on your holiday to-do list.
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Take the Temp: 5 Steps to Holiday Prime Rib Done Right
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
Take the Temp: 5 Steps to Holiday Prime Rib Done Right
By: Snake River Farms
A perfect prime rib should be evenly cooked throughout — without an unsightly, overcooked gray band — and have a delicious, meaty sear. To get it right, ThermoWorks has the tools and thermal know-how you need to get it done.
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Ideas and Recipes for Leftover Brisket
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
Ideas and Recipes for Leftover Brisket
By: Snake River Farms
After you’ve just enjoyed the brisket you spent hours preparing, the first question that comes to mind is, “What are we going to do with the leftovers?”. Luckily, leftover brisket is versatile and can be used for a multitude of delicious meals.
At Snake River Farms, one of our favorites is brisket tacos. They are easy to prepare and can be made to match your favorite style. Leftover brisket chili is a hearty meal that is sure to please a crowd. You also can’t go wrong with a classic leftover brisket sandwich.
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Pulled Pork 101 - How to make Pulled Pork from a Pork Collar
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
Pulled Pork 101 - How to make Pulled Pork from a Pork Collar
By: Snake River Farms
Pulled pork is one of the easiest things to make at home. Learn about the simple steps to turn a Kurobuta pork collar into a generous portion of amazing pulled pork.
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What to Do with the Brisket Trimmings
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
What to Do with the Brisket Trimmings
By: Snake River Farms
Brisket trimmings are incredibly versatile and can be used for so many things. While many toss their trimmings aside, we suggest saving them and using them in recipes.
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What are Brisket Burnt Ends?
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
What are Brisket Burnt Ends?
By: Snake River Farms
Burnt ends. The name itself doesn’t sound appetizing, but to anyone who has had the pleasure of biting into one of these beautiful brisket bites, it conjures up visions of a savory, rich BBQ delicacy.Learn more about burnt ends, and more importantly, how to make them yourself in the article below.
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Save on Strip Steaks: How to Cut a Striploin into New York Strip Steaks
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
Save on Strip Steaks: How to Cut a Striploin into New York Strip Steaks
By: Snake River Farms
New York Strips are a classic steakhouse cut and a steak that carries a premium price. A great way to economically source a pile of these premium steaks is to purchase a full striploin and cut it into New York strips yourself. Here’s a simple guide to cutting strip steaks from a whole striploin. No special equipment is required, and it’s an enjoyable way to actively participate in creating the steaks you serve.
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How to Make an Awesome Burger
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
How to Make an Awesome Burger
By: Snake River Farms
Nothing says summer like a batch of hamburgers sizzling on the grill. These backyard bash staples are easy to make — and even easier to level up with these simple tips.
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Filet Mignon on a Budget: How to Cut a Tenderloin Roast into Steaks
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
Filet Mignon on a Budget: How to Cut a Tenderloin Roast into Steaks
By: Dave Yasuda
Filet mignon is the star of many upscale restaurants. It has a reputation as an expensive cut reserved for the fanciest of occasions. One trick we use to make this luxurious cut more affordable is to purchase a whole tenderloin roast and cut it into steaks. It's easy to do and is a satisfying way to hone your home butcher skills. Learn how to make a stack of steaks from a single roast with this easy-to-follow guide.
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Meet Mandy Tanner: Trained Chef and Team SRF Influencer
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
Meet Mandy Tanner: Trained Chef and Team SRF Influencer
By: Snake River Farms
Learn more about Mandy's background and how she became a trained chef, a photographer and an influencer. She also includes some of her favorite tips for making Snake River Farms Kurobuta ham.
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Make the Perfect Charcuterie Board
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
Make the Perfect Charcuterie Board
By: Snake River Farms
Building an impressive charcuterie board is easy with Snake River Farms small batch salami. This board of plenty is a fabulous start to a special dinner but deserves to be the main attraction at your next party or wine tasting. Piled high with cured meats, cheeses, crackers, fruit, nuts and more, your guests will be wowed by this gorgeous and delicious spread.
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Foolproof Guide- Preparation Tips
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
Foolproof Guide- Preparation Tips
By: Snake River Farms
Snake River Farms American Wagyu beef can be prepared using your favorite techniques and recipes. The key to achieving maximum flavor is a perfect sear — which creates a golden-brown, flavorful crust — and ample seasoning. Here are some chef-proven tips for the best finished steak or roast possible.
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The Delmonico – A Steak of Aristocratic Proportions
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
The Delmonico – A Steak of Aristocratic Proportions
By: Snake River Farms
The Delmonico – A Steak of Aristocratic Proportions
Walk into a high-end steakhouse, and you might spot the elusive "Delmonico" on the menu—but what exactly is it? Ask one chef, and they’ll tell you it’s a ribeye. Another might swear it’s a New York strip. The truth? There’s no universal agreement, and that’s part of its intrigue.
What we do know is that the Delmonico is a thick, well-marbled steak with a rich history. Some say it was first served at Delmonico’s, America’s original fine-dining restaurant in the 1840s. But with no official record of the exact cut, the legend of the Delmonico steak lives on.
In this article, we’ll unravel the mystery, explore its origins, and show you the best way to cook this legendary cut.
Table of Contents
A Brief History of the Delmonico
What Cut Is a Delmonico?
The Delmonico’s Rich Flavor Profile
The Best Way to Cook a Delmonico: The Reverse Sear Method
Other Methods
Our Favorite Delmonico Pairings and Recipes
A Brief History of the Delmonico
The Snake River Farms Delmonico is a very rare and exclusive steak with a history of its own. John Kosmidis, COO of Prime Food Distributor (our dry-aging and specialty cut partner), worked in his uncle’s butcher shop as a boy and gave us background into the history of the Delmonico steak as was told to him when he was 11 years old.
"The Delmonico steak is a story of high-quality, large-format beef—something unique and truly special. Over the years, I’ve come to love that story, and it’s the one I always share. To this day, when someone asks for a Delmonico steak, I’m proud to tell them about the true cut and its rich history."
- John Kosmidis | SRF Partner & COO of Prime Food Distributor
The head butcher at his uncle’s shop had worked at The Waldorf Astoria in New York City. Known for elegance and outstanding customer service, the Waldorf maintained its own butcher shop. One of the hotel’s most esteemed guests was the Prince of Monaco. At that time, as it is today, a visit to NYC was not complete without a lavish steak dinner. The Waldorf’s in-house butchers would prepare for the Prince’s visit by sourcing the finest beef subprimals they could find.
Using the full striploin, the special steak was cut from the 13th rib. This is the only rib bone within the striploin complex. This very specific location yielded a steak that was highly marbled, possessed a distinctive texture, and weighed more than two pounds.
The loosely translated French name for this cut is de Monaco or del Monaco in Italian. Assuming these were starting points, we can postulate that over time the name evolved to simply Delmonico.
What Cut is a Delmonico Steak?
The Delmonico steak is cut from the longissimus dorsi muscle where the rib primal and loin primal converge. Each beef animal has 13 ribs, numbered from 1 at the front to 13 at the rear. Ribs 6 through 12 (7 total ribs) are associated with the rib primal. The 13th rib is part of the loin and this is specifically where the Delmonico is sourced.
The loin primal is where New York strip steaks are cut so the Delmonico resembles a large strip steak. At this point, the spinalis dorsi (or cap of ribeye) and internal swath of fat ends, leaving a solid rectangular section of well-marbled beef.
Because the Delmonico is a cut from the loin, only two Delmonico steaks can be sourced from each cow, one from each side.
The Delmonico’s Rich Flavor Profile
The Delmonico has a flavor that is rich and delicious. Since it is cut from the section between the ribeye and strip steak, it has a deep beefiness and is exceptionally juicy from its intense marbling. The texture is very similar to a great strip steak – firm and satisfying.
It does not contain the swath of fat that is found in a ribeye, so it is more uniform. This is a bone-in steak, so the meat on the bone side is insulated from the heat and stays very juicy and tender.
Ready to experience the rich, juicy flavor of a premium Delmonico steak? Order now from Snake River Farms and enjoy the perfect balance of marbling, tenderness, and bold beefy taste—delivered straight to your door!
The Best Way to Cook a Delmonico: The Reverse Sear Method
The Delmonico is a thick, beautifully marbled cut that’s perfect for a reverse sear. This technique allows you to achieve a perfectly even cook with a gorgeous crust, whether you're using an oven and skillet indoors or setting up a two-zone grill outdoors.
Another excellent approach is sous vide, which, like the reverse sear, ensures precision cooking while locking in flavor and tenderness. And for those looking to replicate a high-end steakhouse experience, the classic steakhouse method delivers outstanding results.
As American Wagyu Beef experts, we’ve perfected each of these methods. Let’s break down the best ways to cook a Delmonico steak, so you can bring out its full potential.
Reverse Sear
This is the preferred cooking method for steak fanatics and is an outstanding way to prepare a cut of this significant weight and thickness. The lower starting temperature cooks the meat slowly and evenly, so it is ready for a perfect final sear.
How to reverse sear the Delmonico steak:
Heat oven to 250°F to 275°F degrees. Lower temperatures will take longer but provide a more even cook.
Season steak with kosher salt, pepper and/or your favorite rub. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a metal rack on top. Set the steak on the rack. The idea is to elevate the steak from the pan so heat can circulate freely.
Place the pan, grill and steak in the oven. Bake until the steak reaches the temperature that matches your preference (rare - 110°F, medium-rare - 120°F, medium - 130°F) using a meat thermometer. Check the temperature in the center of the thickest part of the steak. This will take anywhere from about an 1 hour to 1.5 hours. Since every oven is different, start checking the temperature after 45 minutes. Do not overcook!
Once your steak hits your desired target temperature, remove it from oven, loosely cover with foil and allow to rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
Add a light coating of vegetable oil to a heavy skillet and heat over high heat until hot. Sear steak on each side for 60 to 90 seconds to form a beautiful crust. Also sear the fat cap. Remove from the pan, slice against the grain and serve.
Other Methods
The Steak House Method
This classic high-heat technique is perfect for achieving a beautifully seared crust on a Delmonico steak. By starting with intense heat, the outside caramelizes quickly while the inside stays tender and juicy—delivering a steakhouse-quality experience at home.
How to cook the Delmonico steak using the Steakhouse Method:
Heat oven to 350°F Generously season the Delmonico on both sides with kosher salt or your favorite steak rub. Since this is a very thick steak, season the sides.
Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add a light coat of neutral vegetable oil, like grapeseed or canola.
Place the steak in the hot skillet and sear for 4 minutes on each side. Also, sear the edge with the fat cap for about 2 minutes.
Place the Delmonico and skillet in the heated oven. After 5 minutes, flip the steak. Let bake another 4 minutes and check the temperature. A steak of this size may show a good deal of temperature variability so test the temperature in multiple spots.
When the steak reaches your desired temperature (rare - 110°F, medium-rare - 120°F, medium - 130°F) remove from the oven, pull from the skillet, set on a cutting board and let it rest. Loosely cover with foil to help retain heat. As noted many times, this is a very large steak and the resting period is more important than with smaller cuts. Let it rest at least 10 minutes. 15 minutes is better. This allows time for the ample juices to be reabsorbed and to let the temperature throughout the entire steak.
Slice and serve. To make slicing easier, cut the bone from the steak. The grain of the Delmonico changes direction from one end of the steak to the other. Find the section where the grain changes direction and cut the steak at that point so you have two pieces. Slice each section of the steak against the grain at a 90 degree angle. This shortens the muscle fibers and makes each bite provide a more tender slice.
Sous Vide
This is a very precise way to cook your Delmonico but requires minimal effort for a perfect steak. This requires an immersion circulator and a water bath container.How to sous vide the Delmonico Steak:
Set your immersion circulator to desired temperature (see chart below) and heat water bath. The temperatures for sous vide are higher than for other methods but are proven to work best for this method.
Season the Delmonico with salt and pepper and seal with a food sealer or place in a zip lock freezer bag and remove excess air by placing open bag in water bath and then sealing.
Doneness
Temp Range
Time Range
Rare
122° to 125°F
1.75 to 2 hrs.
Medium Rare
125° to 130°F
2 to 2.5 hrs.
Medium
130° to 135°F
2 to 2.5 hrs.
3. Place sealed bag into the sous vide tank. See above chart for cooking time range. It's fin to cook the steak for up to 3 hours.
4. Remove steak from the bag, place on a cutting board or rack and remove excess moisture with paper towels or clean kitchen towel. Season with salt.
5. Place a cast iron or other heavy skillet on burner. Add neutral vegetable oil and heat over medium high heat until the oil starts to smoke.
6. Add the steak to the pan and sear on all sides so that the entire cut has a nice brown crust. Since the steak is already cooked, the goal is to get a savory brown crust on all surfaces as quickly as possible.
7. Remove from the skillet, allow to rest for a few minutes.
8. Slice against the grain and serve.
Grilling
Grilling a Delmonico steak is a favorite for its bold, smoky flavor and beautiful char. The open flame enhances the steak’s rich marbling, while using both direct and indirect heat ensures a perfect crust and a tender, juicy center. How to grill the Delmonico steak:
Season the Delmonico liberally with kosher salt. You can also add your favorite rub, like the Snake River Farms Steak Seasoning.
Set your grill up for two-zone cooking. For charcoal grills, arrange the hot coals to one half of the grill. For gas grills, turn the burner on one side to a medium low setting. The idea is to turn the covered grill into an oven. If your grill has air vents, close them to about half to keep the temperature lower.
Place the Delmonico on the cool side and close the lid. Check the internal temperature of the steak frequently. Flip the steak each time you check. The cool side of a grill radiates heat from the bottom and occasional turning will cook the steak evenly.
When the steak reaches the desired temperature (rare -110°F, medium-rare - 120°F, medium - 130°F), remove it from the grill. Lift the lid and open the vents to get the grill up to high heat. For gas grills, turn the heat to its highest setting.
Rest the steak on a cutting board for at least 10 minutes while the grill comes to temperature.
Quickly put a final sear on the steak on the hot grill.
Remove and allow to rest for a few minutes.
Slice against the grain and serve.
Some of Our Favorite Delmonico Pairings and Recipes
When you come across a cut as special as the legendary Delmonico steak, you want to do it justice. Fortunately, we’ve found that the Delmonico fits perfectly into any of our renowned ribeye or NY strip recipes.
Here are some of our favorite meals featuring the Delmonico steak:
Steakhouse Delmonico With Potatoes and AsparagusThe Delmonico is a steakhouse legend with a storied history. Team SRF member Mandy Tanner has created an awe-inspiring dinner that features the SRF Gold Grade Delmonico. Mandy elevated the classic side dish potatoes au gratin with Yukon Golds and the nutty richness of gouda cheese. To round out the meal, Chef Tanner offers up chilled asparagus with a Dijon lemon butter sauce. To add texture, the veggies are topped with crispy breadcrumbs. > Learn More.
Sous Vide Delmonico (or NY Strip) With Truffle ButterAs you might guess from its name, the NY strip is one of the last steaks cut from the striploin end and has collagenous material that can be a little tough. Chef Emmanuel Baiden (@mannyeasts on Instagram) developed a recipe that uses sous vide cooking to help soften the chewy bits. As an elegant touch, the steak is finished with a special compound butter made with shallots, garlic and real truffles. This is a great final touch to try on other steaks. This recipe requires an immersion circulator (sous vide machine). > Learn More.
Steakhouse Delmonico (or Ribeye): Restaurant Steaks at HomeHere's a simple marinade with the flavors of a classic steakhouse ribeye. Easy to make, this marinade is a great way to elevate Steak Night to mimic restaurant style steak. Sarah Kelly is a Boise native and self-taught chef with broad restaurant experience in restaurant from fine dining to barbeque. She was the executive chef at the Lodge at Cordillera in Vail where she met her husband, DK. Together they moved back to Boise, opened the local legend, Bleubird, closed it in 2017 and opened Petite 4, a French-inspired restaurant which is a cornerstone of the Boise culinary scene. > Learn More.
Get a USDA Prime Delmonico Steak delivered directly to your door and prepare yourself for a meal fit for royalty.
Experience Similar Cuts
While our Delmonico steak has been retired, we encourage you to explore other premium cuts with similar flavor, texture, and quality:
Bone-In New York (USDA Prime) – A deeply marbled, bone-in cut with robust flavor.
Bone-In NY Strip Steak – A thick, juicy strip steak that offers a classic steakhouse experience.
Dry-Aged Bone-In Ribeye – A rich, intensely flavored ribeye with the depth that dry-aging provides.
We invite you to discover these exquisite alternatives and continue enjoying the exceptional quality of Snake River Farms.
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How to Prepare the Porchetta
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
How to Prepare the Porchetta
By: Snake River Farms
The Snake River Farms Kurobuta Porchetta Roast is a savory pork specialty that’s deliciously served in slices or as the filling for a traditional Italian sandwich.
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SRF Secrets: Insider Tips for Cooking and Serving Steak
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
SRF Secrets: Insider Tips for Cooking and Serving Steak
By: Snake River Farms
Our team loves to cook steaks. And we cook a lot of them - in skillets, ovens and on grills. We'd love to share a few of the things we've learned.Get insider tips on selecting, cooking and presenting American Wagyu beef with class and confidence from the epicureans and beef experts at Snake River Farms.
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Find Your Perfect Ribeye Steak
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
Find Your Perfect Ribeye Steak
By: Snake River Farms
Let’s get into the juicy details about ribeyes, one of our most popular American Wagyu steaks.
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Find Your Perfect New York Strip Steak
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
Find Your Perfect New York Strip Steak
By: Snake River Farms
How did the strip steak take on the name of the city that never sleeps? Let’s take a bite out of Big Apple history and discuss this famous cut’s origins. Then we’ll get to pro tips for cooking up an impressive American Wagyu New York strip steak at home.
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Technique Is Everything: Cooking American Wagyu Beef
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
Technique Is Everything: Cooking American Wagyu Beef
By: Snake River Farms
Expand your culinary skills with tips from the pros at Snake River Farms on various ways to cook American Wagyu Beef, from grilling to reverse searing and more.
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Global Passport - A Guide to the Steaks of the World
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
Global Passport - A Guide to the Steaks of the World
By: Snake River Farms
Steak is universally loved throughout the world. Although the preparation and seasoning vary from country to country, you’ll find some form of steak on the table in most countries you visit.
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How to Prepare a Snake River Farms Kurobuta Pork Collar in the Oven
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
How to Prepare a Snake River Farms Kurobuta Pork Collar in the Oven
By: Snake River Farms
Pork Collar is a tender cut of well-marbled pork with amazing flavor. Perfect for a delicious citrus marinade and roasted on the grill.
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Cowboy Steak Guide: What Is It & How to Best Prepare
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
Cowboy Steak Guide: What Is It & How to Best Prepare
By: Snake River Farms
Saddle up for the ultimate ribeye experience with tips on how to cook and share an impressive American Wagyu Cowboy Steak.
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What's the best way to cook a steak?
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
What's the best way to cook a steak?
By: Snake River Farms
Serve up the perfect steak every time with the Snake River Farms Guide to the Best Way to Cook a Steak, from choosing the finest cut to pro plating tips.
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Steak Cooking Tips from Chef Thomas Keller
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
Steak Cooking Tips from Chef Thomas Keller
By: Snake River Farms
Chef Keller provided us with some of his tips for cooking Snake River Farms American Wagyu steaks. He focused on two steaks – the cap of ribeye and the filet mignon – but his helpful information works to improve any cut.
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How to Grill a Snake River Farms American Wagyu Tri-Tip
By: Snake River Farms
Cooking Guides
How to Grill a Snake River Farms American Wagyu Tri-Tip
By: Snake River Farms
The Snake River Farms American Wagyu tri-tip falls between a steak and a roast. It’s delicious cut into steaks, but really shines when prepared as one large piece on the grill. Our tri-tip is lean but bursting with flavor.
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