FROM RANCH TO TABLE

SRF BLOG

Stories

Top Father’s Day Food Gifts for Meat-Loving Dads

By: Dave Yasuda
Top Father’s Day Food Gifts for Meat-Loving Dads    Table of Contents  Why American Wagyu Beef is the Ultimate Father’s Day Gift   The Best Father’s Day Food Gifts for Every Type of Meat Lover  Father’s Day Gift Boxes: Curated for Every Budget  Must-Have Cooking Gear to Complete Dad’s Gift   Father’s Day Recipes to Make These Incredible Cuts  Cooking with Dad: Creating Memories Through Food  Father's Day Shipping Guide: What You Need to Know    Why American Wagyu Beef is the Ultimate Father’s Day Gift Father’s Day is June 15th!  Finding a meaningful gift to get Dad excited is an annual challenge. Retailers report a high rate of product returns for stores following Father’s Day. Shirts and ties lead the charge with return rates up to 35%. Gadgets and electronics are right behind at up to 30%. It’s frustrating to see the gift you selected returned, or worse, sit in Dad’s closet collecting dust.   Generic gifts, like shirts, ties and gadgets, send a not-so-subtle message about how much you value your father. Of course, we’re all busy and sometimes last minute panic results in less than perfect gifts.   Beat the rush this year by giving an unforgettable experience featuring SRF American Wagyu beef. A gift of premium beef from Snake River Farms makes Dad feel truly special. SRF is a family owned and operated company that produces award-winning American Wagyu beef using humane and sustainable practices.   Snake River Farms is featured on the menus of Michelin starred restaurants throughout the world and is celebrated in the U.S. by award winning chefs because of its intense marbling, rich flavor and natural tenderness.   "Snake River Farms is beautifully marbled. It's Wagyu; it's just stunningly beautiful American beef." - Chef Hugh Acheson, James Beard Award Winning Chef & Writer  A huge benefit of giving Dad SRF steaks is the opportunity for everyone to share a meal. Creating a steakhouse quality dinner at home might be the best gift of all. Consumer research by the Wharton School found experiential gifts are preferred by fathers and builds a stronger connection with their family members. > Discover Dad-Approved Food Gifts. Make his Father's Day Unforgettable — Shop Steak Gifts That Raise the Bar.   The Best Father’s Day Food Gifts for Every Type of Meat Lover  Buying the perfect SRF steak for Father’s Day starts by understanding Dad’s cooking style. Is the man in question King of the Grill? Choose steaks that are larger and well marbled, delivering an impressive eating experience for everyone gathered around. If your father is a skilled home cook, he may prefer “chaffier” cuts like a Porterhouse, Denver (Zabuton), or Bavette. Regardless of the cut, the grade of the steak is a key factor in how it cooks and, more importantly, how it tastes. Beef grading is based on several factors but is primarily based on the amount of intramuscular fat, or marbling, a steak contains. The USDA lists three grades of beef with USDA Prime at the very top.  Snake River Farms beef grades start at USDA Prime, the top grade on the USDA scale. The majority of SRF beef is marbled well beyond this level. To grade SRF, we use the 12-point Japanese Beef Marbling Score (BMS), which measures marbling that exceeds the USDA scale.  SRF Silver® - BMS of 4 to 5. Marbling comparable to USDA Prime. SRF Black® - BMS of 6 to 8. Significantly more marbling than USDA Prime.   SRF Gold® - BMS of 9 to 12. The highest marbling available from Snake River Farms.      Steaks That Will Make Dad's Day  Treat Dad to an unforgettable meal with our most celebrated steaks. From richly marbled ribeyes to tender filet mignon, these cuts are worthy of his big day. American Wagyu & USDA Prime Steaks Dad Will Love: SRF Gold® Filet Mignon – For the dad who appreciates tenderness, this steak is the most tender of all steak cuts. Gently marbled, it has a mild flavor and possesses a distinctive buttery aroma and fork tender texture. It’s the perfect steak for intimate celebrations.> Make His Father's Day Unforgettable with SRF Gold® Filet Mignon SRF Gold® Ribeye Filet – Perfect balance of flavor & texture, this steak is cut from the center eye of the ribeye. Richly marbled so it has a deep beef flavor and a tender, juicy texture. The outside fat cap has been removed, so this is the steak for dads who love the richness of a ribeye without the exterior fat. > Treat Dad to a Gold® Ribeye Filet Today SRF Gold® & USDA Prime NY Strip – A timeless favorite for steak lovers that offers generous marbling, full-bodied beef flavor and a firm grain. This steak is free of large fat nodules and is adorned with a small fat cap so it grills evenly and is easy to slice. It is a popular cut at steak houses since it is both rich in flavor and consistently tender, making it a crowd-pleaser for any special occasion. > Fire Up the Grill for Dad with a Classic NY Strip SRF Gold® Cowboy & Tomahawk Steaks – Serve a steakhouse-quality experience at home with these large bone-in ribeyes. These two steaks make an unrivaled impression and are a premier Father’s Day gift. The cowboy steak is like the tomahawk, but the rib bone is cut so an inch or two of bone is exposed. While it might not be quite as photogenic as the tomahawk, it is also an impressive thick and weighty steak.The tomahawk is a bone-in ribeye steak with a long frenched rib bone. It’s cut the full width of a rib bone which makes it at least 2 inches thick with an average weight of about 2 ½ pounds. It gained popularity at high end butcher shops and steak houses since it is visually stunning and puts folks in touch with their primal side. To maximize the impact of these bone-in ribeyes, carve them on a large cutting board on the table. While you can slice across the entire steak, try separating the cap of ribeye (known as “the tastiest cut on the cow”) from the center eye and cutting it into bite-sized pieces so everyone gets a taste. > Serve Dad a Steakhouse Feast with Our Cowboy & Tomahawk Steaks "Cooked these for Father's Day and now every year this is what my father wants. He said it was better than going to a steakhouse!." - Christopher C., Verified Buyer; BBQ & Slow-Cooked Favorites for the Grill Master Dad   These cuts are made for dads who take their time and savor the process. Whether he’s firing up the smoker or slow-roasting to perfection, these richly marbled favorites bring big flavor to Father’s Day. Brisket & Ribs for Low & Slow Cooking:  SRF Gold® Brisket – For dads who love the craft of smoking, these briskets are highly marbled with outstanding flavor and exceptional juiciness. These are the same award winning briskets used by Grand Champion competition barbecue teams. Gold Grade® briskets are unique since they have the highest amount of marbling offered by SRF. Pitmasters know that “fat equals flavor’ so the intense marbling produces robust beefiness with a tender, juicy texture.   Here are some of our secrets to smoking a perfect brisket:  Thaw slowly in the refrigerator. This can take several days, so start about a week before your cook.   Temperature is a good guide, but use color and texture as your final guide to wrapping and determining doneness. Allow at least 2 hours for the brisket to rest.  For more information and a detailed video, see our brisket guide, then shop premium brisket and get ready to smoke the perfect one.  SRF Black® Wagyu Plate Short Ribs – Bold, rich, and perfect for smoking or braising these massive bone-in ribs have a primal appearance. The deeply marbled rib meat cooks up juicy, tender with a powerfully beef-forward flavor. Also known as plate short ribs, these ribs are a favorite of all types of culinary professionals for their large size, distinct visual aesthetic and mouthwatering flavor. Chefs love how these ribs produce continental recipes like French pot-au-feu and ethnic preparations like Korean marinades. Pit masters appreciate their meaty, yet tender texture when slow smoked.  The versatility of SRF Black® short ribs is something appreciated by all. Cook them with simple prep or fancy technique and they turn out beautifully. Smoke them low and slow or braise in an upscale culinary style. Regardless, these are the ideal cut for beef lovers.  > Grill Perfect Short Ribs: Order Today USDA Choice Tri-Tip – Ideal for grilling or roasting, the tri-tip is a cross between a roast and a steak. Cut from the bottom of the sirloin, this cut is lean yet has a satisfying bite and great flavor.   The tri-tip is a butcher’s secret and offers surprising flavor at a great price, especially in the USDA Choice grade. A tremendous value that is the foundation of a delicious meal for a crowd.  The tri-tip is a Central California favorite and a staple of Santa Maria–style barbecue, where it’s simply seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic, then grilled over coals. Slice it thin against the grain and serve with pinquito beans, salsa, and garlic bread for a classic experience. > Grill Like a Pro - Shop Tri-Tip & Butcher Cuts   Father’s Day Gift Boxes: Curated for Every Budget  Under $200 - Here are gift boxes that offer a lot for a nice price. Choose from bundles with steaks, chops, burgers, dogs and more.  Smash Burger Bundle – $133.00Master the art of smash burgers at home with 16 Wagyu patties, a Smithey Mighty Spatula, and SRF x Jacobsen seasoning. Everything you need for crispy, flavor-packed burgers. Steak and Chop Favorites – $164.00 Create the magic of old school steak and chop houses with 4 SRF Black® top sirloins and 4 Kurobuta bone-in pork chops.  Shop Gifts Under $200   $200-$300 - Curated Collections – Up the quality and quantity for Father’s Day with these SRF boxes packed with customer favorites.  Shrimp & Filet Mignon Box – $257.00 4 SRF Gold® filet mignon and wild caught Gulf shrimp combine for a tender and sweet flavor combination. This low key surf & turf will make Dad’s day a delicious experience.  Gift of Gold – $282.00 Make Dad’s day with this variety pack of our most marbled steaks. 2 each of SRF SRF Gold® filet mignon, top sirloins and ribeye filets.  Shop Mid-Range Boxes Over $300 - Our most impressive gift assortments packed with the most coveted SRF steaks.  Tomahawk Treasures – $393.00Double dad’s pleasure with this pack of two SRF Gold® tomahawks! This giant ribeye with a frenched long bone is our most lust worthy and photogenic steak. Dry-Aged Bestsellers – $593.00 Let Dad experience the unforgettable flavor, aroma and tenderness of SRF dry-aged beef. This top-of-the-line box includes 1 SRF Black® dry-aged Porterhouse and 2 New York strips. It also includes 2 USDA Prime dry-aged bone-in NY strips and 1 package of dry-aged American Wagyu burger patties.  Shop Premium Collections       Must-Have Cooking Gear to Complete Dad’s Gift   Take Dad’s skills to the next level with high-performance tools he’ll use for years. These expertly crafted essentials are the perfect complement to any Father’s Day feast. The Best Tools for Grilling & Cooking   Smithey No. 10 Chef Skillet & No. 12 Grill Pan – For dads who love cast iron cooking  Smithey’s cast iron skillets pair perfectly with our American Wagyu, delivering a golden-brown sear on steaks and smashburgers. The No. 10 features a naturally non-stick polished interior, excellent heat retention, and a lighter design for easy handling—great indoors or over a flame. Care Tip: Hand wash, dry thoroughly, and oil lightly after each use to maintain the non-stick finish. > Shop Premium Cookware   Shun Premier 8" Kiritsuke – A precision chef's knife for serious home cooks The Japanese made Kiritsuke combines two traditional blade designs that slices meat and cuts veggies with equal aplomb. The VG-Max steel core is wrapped with 68 layers of Damascus cladding for strength and beauty.  Pro Tip: Use a smooth slicing motion pushing the Shun knife down forward and down, then pull the blade back toward your body. This ensures clean, smooth cuts and let’s the knife do the work for you.  > Shop Culinary Tools     Father’s Day Menu Ideas to Compliment These Incredible Cuts  These Father’s Day food gifts aren’t just impressive. They’re the centerpiece of a full meal, complete with simple sides and wine pairings to make the day unforgettable.   The Perfect Father's Day Menu Plans SRF steaks are the foundation for a memorable Father’s Day meal, but what about the rest of the meal? Here are some suggested menus to round out a delicious dinner.  For the Grill Master: Put together a menu that features dishes made exclusively over the coals:  SRF Ribeye Filets – Grilled to your personal preference. Hand Carved Potatoes – Cut large potatoes into slices, leaving the bottom attached. Season with salt and coat with olive oil. Grill, turning periodically until crisp on the outside and cooked in the middle. Lemon Garlic Zucchini – Cut medium zucchinis lengthwise into ¾” strips. Coat with olive oil and fresh lemon juice. Grill on each side to form grill marks. Peaches & Cream – Slice ripe peaches in half and remove pits. Grill cut side down to sear and caramelize the sugars. Serve with vanilla ice cream.  Looking to wow a grill master? Our American Wagyu Ribeye Filets are the ultimate gift—they’re rich, tender, and ready for the flame.      For the Home Chef: For a refined indoor dining experience:  Coffee-Crusted Filet Mignon with Bourbon Caramel Sauce - A bold twist on a classic cut, with rich coffee flavor and a touch of sweetness from the bourbon sauce. Pommes Puree - Silky smooth mashed potatoes made with plenty of butter and cream for an indulgent side Asparagus with Balsamic Glaze - tender-crisp asparagus drizzled with a tangy-sweet reduction to brighten the plate. Crème Brulee - A decadent dessert with a crisp caramelized top and velvety vanilla custard beneath.   This Father’s Day, give him a five-star experience at home—our American Wagyu Filet Mignon is the centerpiece he deserves.   Wine Pairings  Ribeye – These richly marbled steaks are balanced with full bodied wines with high tannins and strong acidity. Think Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Malbec.   Filet Mignon – This gently marbled steak has a more subtle beef flavor and pairs well with fruit forward reds with less tannins. Try Pinot Noir, Merlot and Chianti Classico.      Give the Gift of a Perfect Meal: Recipes for Dad’s Day Pair your Father’s Day food gift with a recipe he’ll love to cook, or one you can make together. These chef-crafted guides turn premium cuts into unforgettable meals, whether he’s manning the grill or mastering a new kitchen technique.   Oven Braised Brisket: No smoker? No problem. This oven-braised brisket delivers deep, beefy flavor and fork-tender texture perfect for dads who love a slow-cooked classic without the outdoor setup.  > Get the Recipe Reverse-Seared Tomahawk Steak: A show-stopping cut deserves a show-stopping method. This reverse sear recipe gives Dad the tools to grill a steakhouse-quality tomahawk, with pro tips for customizing the cook. > See the Technique   Smoked Short Ribs: For the dad who loves to barbecue low and slow, smoked short ribs are a flavorful, fall-off-the-bone favorite. This recipe includes prep tips and pairing suggestions to complete the meal. > Fire Up the Smoker     Cooking with Dad: Creating Memories Through Food Giving Dad Snake River Farms for Father’s Day is best when shared with the family. It’s especially meaningful for fathers with kids still living at home. Cooking together is a shared experience that creates long lasting memories. It’s a natural way to develop family traditions which builds continuity from year to year.   Cooking with kids builds communication and connection through a shared focus to achieve a common goal. In the process, it builds a love for food that lasts well beyond Father’s Day.   “Melt-in-your-mouth delicious! I grilled two 6 oz fillets for my husband and me on Saturday before Father's Day. Extra-rare. I had a third Sunday evening when I made Wagyu Gold Filet Steak Tartare! I coarsely diced the fillet and then added the seasonings. Best we have ever tasted. I am a loyal customer, for sure!” - Sally L., Verified Buyer   Father's Day Shipping Guide: What You Need to Know  Father’s Day is Sunday, June 15 this year. Ordering early is the key to your Father’s Day gift arriving on time. If the plan calls for cooking on Father’s Day, plan for the order to arrive several days in advance to allow time for your products to thaw. Keep in mind that SRF steaks keep in the freezer for months and 7 days once thawed.   Key ordering deadlines for guaranteed Father's Day delivery  Standard shipping: Order by Monday, June 9, 2025 Rush shipping: Order by Thursday, June 12 to arrive Friday, June 13.   Our Father's Day delivery guarantee: Snake River Farms guarantees your order will arrive frozen or partially frozen, and all items are included in the shipment. If your order arrives thawed or is missing items, you should contact their customer service for resolution.  We stand behind our products and offer 100% guaranteed shipping. > Order Now to Guarantee Father's Day Delivery.  “First order was delivered to wrong address. I called customer care and they sent a replacement overnight in time for father's day!! Top quality beef with top notch customer service!”  - James D., verified buyer     Last-Minute Gift? We've Got You Covered  SRF e-gift cards are the instantaneous gift that delivers to an inbox directly after purchase. Each e-gift card is emailed with your personalized note. Great last-minute Father’s Day gift. > Send an E-Gift Card Today.   Create Lasting Memories this Father’s Day  Make Dad’s day memorable this year with a gift from Snake River Farms. He’ll enjoy a fantastic meal, but this is a gift that literally sets the table for a shared experience that creates a lasting memory and builds a tradition to savor every year.   Snake River Farms has special gift boxes and eye-opening steaks that set the foundation for a Father’s Day feast to savor long after the holiday.  > Order Today with Complete Confidence.   Want more ideas? Explore our full collection of Steak Gifts for Dad and find the perfect way to fire up Father’s Day—or any day worth celebrating. 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.
Read More
Cooking Guides

How to Pick a Good Steak

By: Dave Yasuda
Guide to Picking the Perfect Steak An unforgettable steak dinner starts with the perfect steak. A great steak is flavorful and tender. These characteristics are impacted by the amount of marbling (intramuscular fat) a steak contains, how the steak is aged (wet or dry) and the length of the aging period. SRF is a genuine pioneer of American Wagyu beef with 56 years of experience in the industry. Our care and expertise provide quality you can taste with each bite of our steaks.  Table of Contents  Understanding Steak Quality  Choosing the Right Steak for Your Cooking Method  Picking the Best Steak by Cut  Common Steak Buying Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)  Key Factors for Choosing a Great Steak  Our Final Pro Tips for Picking the Perfect Steak  Understanding Steak Quality Marbling – The Key to Flavor and Tenderness Marbling refers to the white streaks and flecks of intramuscular fat distributed in a steak. It’s an attribute you can actually see when choosing a steak. Marbling adds flavor, tenderness and juiciness to a steak, so higher amounts of marbling results in a superior steak. USDA Grades vs. SRF American Wagyu (BMS)All steaks sold in the U.S. are inspected and graded by the USDA. The top three grades, from less to more marbling, are USDA Select, USDA Choice and USDA Prime. Only 3% to 4% of all beef in the U.S. achieves the Prime grade.  Since all SRF American Wagyu grades are at or above USDA Prime, we use the Japanese Beef Marbling Score (BMS) to measure marbling at an even more precise level. Learn more about how USDA Prime compares to American and Japanese Wagyu in our detailed guide. SRF American Wagyu QualityThe high level of marbling found in SRF beef translates to juicy, flavorful and tender steaks. Compared to top rated USDA Prime beef, American Wagyu beef has higher levels of tenderness, buttery aroma and umami, a savory and lingering component that enhances the natural beef flavor of our steaks. This exceptional quality is directly tied to beef grading, which measures factors like marbling and texture to determine overall meat quality. Learn more about how grading impacts steak selection and what sets SRF American Wagyu apart.   "It has the richness of Japanese beef with lots of marbling, but the flavor is more akin to what we're used to in America. You can give me a pound of the best Wagyu from Japan, or a pound of this, and I'll choose Snake River Farms every time."Chef Wolfgang Puck The Aging Process: Wet-Aging vs. Dry-Aging Aging is a technique that plays a crucial role in creating flavor and tenderness in beef. Wet and dry aging each offer distinct characteristics that enhance the steak eating experience. It is important to age beef for at least three to four weeks, in order for flavor and texture to develop. Wet-AgingThis method vacuum seals beef (SRF uses large, sub primal cuts) in plastic bags and places them in refrigerated storage. The natural enzymes break down the beef, so it is more tender and the natural flavor is enhanced. Very little weight is lost through wet aging.  Dry-AgingLarge cuts of beef are placed in a carefully controlled environment and allowed to slowly age. There is significant moisture loss in this process which concentrates the beef flavor and tenderizes the meat. The end result is beef that is tender with an earthy aroma and nutty richness.    Choosing the Right Steak for Your Cooking Method  There are many ways to cook a steak and selecting the right steak for a specific cooking method is essential to achieve the best results. Individual cuts perform differently depending on factors like marbling, muscle structure and thickness, which affect how the meat cooks and retains moisture. Learn more about the best way to cook a steak to get the perfect sear, texture and flavor.     Best Steaks for Grilling Grilling is a time-honored method for cooking steak to impart a smoky aroma and crisp touch of char. Most steaks take well to the grill, but marbled cuts are more heat resistant and the melted fat hitting the coals add the coveted outdoor flavor.  Here are the best steaks to throw on the grill: Ribeye, Tomahawk and NY Strip: These steaks are rich with marbling which helps retain juiciness over the high heat of the grill. These are thick steaks and are best prepared with a 2-zone set up with a hot and cool side of the grill. Start on the cool side to bring them up to temp, then sear on the hot side. Pro Tip: Look for thick cut steaks (1 ½” or more) for better heat control. Thicker steaks have greater mass and allow you to achieve a golden brown sear on each side and maintain a medium rare interior.     Best Steaks for Pan Seared Perfection Cooking steaks indoors on a cast iron skillet is ideal when it’s cold outside. Pan searing is a great technique, regardless of the weather. since it imparts flavor and creates a solid caramelized crust on each side of the steak.  Here are some great steaks to pan sear: Filet mignon and ribeye filetThese are steaks that are tender and caramelize well. Filet mignon is naturally low in marbling and is an excellent candidate for butter basting to increase flavor, especially when herbs and aromatics are added to the pan. Add flavor by basting with butterAn easy to add flavor and richness to a pan seared is butter basting. As the steak comes close to the finished temperature, turn down the heat and add 2 to 3 knobs of good quality butter. For more flavor, add sprigs of fresh rosemary, thyme and a crushed garlic clove to the melted butter. Use a large spoon to baste the steak.   Best Steaks for Slow Cooking or Braising By definition, a steak is a cut of beef that cooks quickly and has very little connective tissue. Bona fide steaks are not great candidates for slow cooking methods.   Picking the Best Steak by Cut When it comes to choosing a steak you have many choices. Each type of steak has unique attributes to consider. Knowing the characteristics of each cut provides the knowledge to choose the best steak for your personal preferences and cooking methods.  Ribeye The ribeye is known as the “steak lover’s steak” since it is intensely marbled to ensure a bold beefy flavor and tender texture.  The ribeye has at least two parts, the premium center eye and the succulent cap. A rich fat cap separates these muscles which adds richness as it melts when exposed to heat. Look for thick cut steaks with visible flecks and streaks of marbling distributed throughout the center eye.   Shop Ribeye Steaks         New York Strip This is one of the top sellers at steakhouses because of its firm texture with a balance of tenderness and yielding chew. This is steak with an impressive appearance from large streaks of intramuscular fat that run across the narrow side. The New York strip has an external fat cap on one side, but the main section is uniform so it’s easy to slice and eat with minimal waste. The balanced marbling and firm texture combine for a steak that is flavorful and a tactile delight to eat. Shop New York Strips         Filet Mignon This lean steak is the single most tender cut available. The SRF Wagyu filet mignon takes this to another level with a buttery texture that is fork tender and mild in flavor. The filet mignon is proven by meat scientists to be the most tender cut of beef, although you don’t need to be an expert to understand its melt-in-the-mouth texture.Since this is a lean steak, it pairs beautifully with rich sauces like béarnaise and peppercorn or served with flavorful compound butters. Shop Filet Mignon           Flank & Skirt Steak Although these two steaks are not well known, they are worth discovering. Flank and skirt steaks have a strong, coarse grain that absorbs marinades well. They are delicious grilled simply but are excellent in ethnic recipes like carne asada or bulgogi. Immerse these steaks in liquid marinades for 2 to 12 hours. Dry rubs also work well to impart flavor.  For the most tender bite, identify the direction of the grain and slice across it to shorten the muscle fibers.  Shop Flank Steaks         Common Steak Buying Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them) A great steak dinner starts by selecting the best steak for the characteristics you enjoy and the cooking method you plan to use. Ignoring these factors can lead to disappointing results. Avoid steak mistakes by considering the cut, thickness and marbling. Choosing the wrong cut for your cooking style Remember that certain cuts work best with specific cooking styles. For example, lean, tender filet mignon is an excellent choice for pan searing and butter basting, while a thick cut ribeye performs well on a charcoal grill.  Overlooking marbling and texturePay attention to the amount of marbling in the steaks you choose. The more intramuscular fat a steak contains, the more beef flavor, juiciness and tenderness you'll experience. Steaks with a high level of marbling are more forgiving, regardless of the cooking method.      Key Factors for Choosing a Great Steak  Pay attention to the small details like marbling and thickness make a significant difference in making restaurant quality steak at home. Starting with a great steak is the first step to preparing and serving a memorable dinner. Opt for thick cuts for better heat retention and superior results after searing. Let your steak rest for at least 10 minutes after cooking. This allows the heat to distribute throughout the steak and the natural juices to be reabsorbed. If in doubt, choose a steak with higher marbling. This all but guarantees flavor and a steak that’s more forgiving to cook.   Our Final Pro Tips for Picking the Perfect Steak  A well-prepared steak is more than a meal – it’s a culinary experience. When learning how to pick a good steak,, marbling is key — those thin streaks of fat running through the meat add incredible flavor and tenderness.  Thickness matters too. Steaks at least 1.5 inches cook more evenly and allow for a perfect sear without overcooking the inside. Where the steak is sourced from the animal affects texture and taste — cuts like ribeye or strip come from more tender areas, while sirloin offers a balance of flavor and firmness.  Matching the cut to your cooking method is essential; for example, well-marbled cuts shine with high-heat grilling, while leaner cuts benefit from slower, controlled cooking. If you're unsure which steak is best for your next celebration, check out our guide to picking the perfect steak for special occasions to impress your guests with the ultimate cut. Ready to elevate your steak game? Explore the exceptional quality of Snake River Farms American Wagyu steaks and taste the difference for yourself!     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.
Read More
Recipes

Tri-Tip BLT

By: Kelly Senyei of Just a Taste