The Best Cuts of Steak for Grilling: A Complete Guide

Outdoor cooking is one of the best things about summer, but it’s not easy choosing the best steak to throw on the grill. There are so many different cuts to choose from, how do you know which steak will deliver the most flavor, tenderness and make the biggest impression? Here’s a guide to the world of steaks so you can choose the best cuts for grilling.

Any steak can be cooked on a grill, but here are two factors that make some cuts perform better than others.

Which Cut of Steak is Best for Grilling?

The best steak cut for grilling is a personal choice. What do you want the most from a steak? Factors to consider are tenderness, flavor and value. Your steak choice will vary based on the occasion or desired dining experience. The steak for an impromptu Tuesday night cookout will be much different than the one for your dad’s birthday celebration.
 
Here are five top contenders for steaks to grill. Each of these are well-known cuts and perform well on a charcoal or gas grill.

1. Ribeye – Ranked the number one steak by beef aficionados due to its intense marbling and rich beefy flavor. The high amount of intramuscular fat creates a tender, juicy and savory steak.
   
2. New York Strip – Well marbled, but leaner than a ribeye. A firm, moderately tender texture and deep beef flavor. It is easy to trim and slice since it does not have large pockets of fat.
   
3. Filet Mignon – The most tender of all steaks with a buttery texture. Lightly marbled with a mild flavor.
   
4. Porterhouse  – Two steaks in one:  a tender filet mignon and a robust New York strip separated by a T-shaped bone.
   
5. Sirloin – A lean steak with satisfying beef flavor and a pleasing firm bite. A popular cut that represents excellent value.
   
   

Pro Tip: For a bold, juicy grill favorite, start with a well-marbled American Wagyu Ribeye. Want a recipe to match? Try our Cowboy Steak with Blistered Corn and Tomatoes.

Grill-Ready Idea: Fire up a New York Strip and turn it into a show-stopping sandwich with this Grilled NY Strip with Goat Cheese & Pesto.

What are the Best Butcher’s Cuts for Grilling?

Butcher’s cuts are the steaks without the pedigree of the popular, and higher priced, steakhouse favorites. These cuts are sourced from multiple locations and possess unique flavors and textures that are enhanced when cooked on a grill.

1. Outside Skirt Steak – This steak is the diaphragm muscle, which receives a lot of exercise and creates deep flavor. A surprisingly marbled cut that is exceptionally rich and buttery. It has a thick, strong grain, so cutting against the grain is critical for a tender bite.
2. Bavette – A cut from the bottom sirloin, it’s also known as the “flap meat”. It has a thick grain with a loose texture which crisps up beautifully on the grill. The flavor is very beefy with a hint of minerality.
3. Picanha – The foundation of Brazilian style, this triangular shaped cut is juicy, flavorful with a firm texture. Also known as the sirloin cap and the coulotte, this is a large cut that can be cut into steaks or grilled as one piece.
4. Hanger Steak – A long, coarse grained cut from the plate primal. Moderate marbling adds juiciness while the overall flavor profile is intensely beef-forward with a subtle mineral edge.
5. Flank Steak – A favorite steak with moderate marbling, bold beef essence and a tender bite when cut against the grain.

Pro Tip: Curious about lesser-known cuts? Explore our guide to Underrated Butcher’s Cuts and try something new on the grill.

Try This: Grilled Hanger Steak shines with a punchy chimichurri recipe, or make your next taco night legendary with our Flank Steak with Confetti Corn.

What's the Most Tender Steak to Grill

If your top priority is melt-in-your-mouth texture, filet mignon is the most tender steak you can grill. Cut from the psoas major, a non-weight-bearing muscle, it’s naturally soft and buttery even without extensive marbling.
 
Take one bite of filet mignon and you’ll know immediately this is a very tender steak. It’s not just your senses, but it is scientifically proven to be the most tender of all steaks using the shear force test. Using this objective method, here is a list of the most tender steaks as identified by meat scientists:

1. Filet Mignon – The most tender steak you can grill, filet mignon delivers a smooth, buttery bite with subtle flavor and an elegant finish.
2. Flat Iron – Well marbled and juicy with excellent beefiness, this steak is best served medium rare to medium, but remains flavorful when cooked to higher temperatures.
3. Cap of Ribeye Steak – Sometimes called “the tastiest cut on the cow” this legendary cut is beautifully marbled, juicy and delicious.
   
4. Zabuton – A richly marbled cut from the chuck (shoulder) with a buttery texture and robust flavor. It’s also known as the Denver steak.
5. Teres Major – Another gem from the chuck, this is also known as the shoulder tender. Shaped like a small tenderloin, it is packed with deep, savory richness.

Tenderness Tip: Filet Mignon is the king of tenderness—but flat iron and Zabuton offer amazing texture at a great value.

Try This: Go beyond classic with these Kalbi-Style Tenderloin Kebabs.

Quick Decision Guide

Can’t decide? Here’s a quick reference to help you pick the perfect steak based on what matters most to you.

Beef Flavor vs. Tenderness

Cooking Style

Author Bio

Dave Yasuda has worked with Snake River Farms for over 12 years, cooking virtually every product we sell. He has prepared SRF products for photoshoots, food festivals, company events, and customers. A skilled home cook, Dave has collaborated in the kitchen with award-winning chefs, recipe developers, and content creators to enhance his culinary skills. He has also been a featured guest on numerous food-centric podcasts, including Bon Appetit’s “Dinner SOS” hosted by Chris Morocco.