In countries where people like to eat meaty diets, steak is one of the most popular dishes. Traditionally, Chinese and Korean cuisines include stir-fried steak slices that are consumed in relatively small portions. People enjoy steaks primarily because of their delicious taste, aroma, and texture.
One may ask, what is steak made of?
Steaks are slices of meat that come from the muscle (some bony tissue is also included) of male beef cattle. Besides this, the muscles of other animals such as sheep, bison, deer, reindeer, goat, and camel are also used to make steaks. Fishes such as salmon, sharks, swordfish, marlins, etc., are often cut into steaks.
Read on to learn more about different types of steak!
Table of Content
What Is Steak Made of? Types of Steak
Steak can be made from various animals such as cattle, camels, bison, reindeer, and also from fishes, primarily larger ones such as swordfish. Different types of steak are described in detail there.
Beef Steak
The different parts of the beef, such as the loin, ribs, and chuck, result in different types of steak. Different steaks taste and feel differently.
The most tender cuts of beefsteak are the loin and the rib. Beef chuck is included in the less tender cut of steak.
Depending on the tenderness, different steaks are grilled differently. Tender cuts of steak are prepared quickly over dry heat to get a better taste. Less tender cuts require moist heat to be prepared, requiring mechanical tenderization.
These steaks are usually broiled or grilled at an elevated temperature, as beef steak does not need much time to cook.
Tender beefsteak is considered to be of higher quality. Depending on the tenderness of steak, their demand and prices vary. The tenderloin is the most tender cut of beef and is of great quality, which also comes at a high price.
Beef steaks are eaten in diverse ways, including minute steak, Hamburg steak, steak sandwiches, and steak burgers. The beefsteak can be chopped and mixed with other ingredients or dishes.
One beneficial fact about beef steak is that it does not cause any food contamination, resulting in disorders.
Fish Steak
Fish steaks are prepared by cutting flesh perpendicular to the spine and removing bones as well.
Fish steak is more tender than beef steak, thus it can be cooked much quicker than beef steak.
Swordfish, halibut, salmon, and tuna steaks are usually considered the best fish steaks. In addition to grilling, fish steaks can also be baked or fried. This will also give a better taste to it.
Pork Steak
Among all the cuts of pork, pork steak may be the most versatile.
Pork steaks can be made from the shoulder, the legs, or the loin. But are usually made from the shoulder.
Pork shoulder steak is not as tender as beef steak. So it cannot be prepared quickly. It typically takes more time and effort to cook it thoroughly. This is because of the high content of collagen fibres present in pork steak, which makes it difficult to cook.
You will get pork steak in two categories.
One is the bone-in pork steak. This steak must have a bone in it.
The second category is boneless pork steak. This type of steak lacks bone in it and is usually cut from the loin portion. To give an appetising taste, it is often cooked with vinegar, garlic powder, pepper, salty and spicy sauces.
It is also possible to marinate pork steak, as many people do, but it will change the original taste.
Besides grilling, pork steak can be fried, baked, broiled, and braised to use.
Many people ask about the best way to cook pork steak. Whatever method you are following to cook pork steak, just make it clear that the steak is properly cooked and achieves quiet tenderness.
Pork steak needs more time to cook, but that does not mean you should overcook it. Most people choose to prepare it in a slow cooker.
Chicken Steak
Fried chicken and other southern dishes like chicken fried rice are made with thickly sliced or chopped and formed chicken. When making chicken fried steak, tenderized cube steaks are the most commonly used cut.
Lamb Steak
There are many cuts of lamb steaks, and they can be used in several dishes using different ingredients and sauces. The most common use is to slice them up and put them in salads.
Different Cuts of Steak
There can be many different cuts of steak. Among them, common ones are discussed below:
T-Bone
In a T-bone steak, there is a strip steak and a fillet separated by a T-shaped bone.
T-bone steaks are made up of a strip of top loin and a chunk of tenderloin, which are both popular cuts on their own.
There is a T-shaped bone from the lumbar region that separates the steak into two parts. T-bone steaks are mostly American cuts.
There are two sections to the T-bone, the strip side and the tenderloin side. The strip side is sometimes called a porterhouse, while the tenderloin side is called a fillet.
T-bone steaks are typically grilled so that the tenderness and juicy qualities of tenderloin are preserved, making them more appetising. The T-shaped bone present in this steak becomes a handle for consumers, making it easy to eat steak without affecting its texture.
Make sure the steak is cooked quickly and hot, and lightly oil it and season it judiciously. In this cut, the portion near the base of the bone is the portion that browns the slowest.
Fillets are the parts that cook the fastest, so they should be placed farthest from the fire, so they do not become overcooked. If you do not wish to grill the meat, you can also prepare it on the stove.
Tenderloin
Tenderloins are the most tender cuts of beef. Tenderloins don’t have any marbling and are usually longer.
The marbling of these cuts is not done to preserve their tenderness. The lack of marbling makes steak less delicious than others.
Fillet mignon is an example of tenderloin. It is cut from the shorter end of the tenderloin and is often served with buttery sauces.
Rib Eye
Unlike tenderloin, it is a round, heavily marbled cut. As a hearty, flavorful, and tender steak, it is a delicious choice for steak lovers. Ribeye cuts are available both boneless and bone-in.
Strip Steak
New York Strip is another name for it. It is characterised by deep marbling and rich flavour. It is quite less tender than other cuts, but is usually boneless and has a strong taste.
Benefits of Steak
As tasty as they are, steaks are equally healthy! The health benefits of steaks are as follows:
A Great Source of Protein
Steak is an excellent source of protein.
Protein is needed to make muscular mass in the skeletal system. Proteins are also necessary for hair growth, nails, skin, cartilage, bones, and blood proper function in addition to strengthening muscles.
Antibodies and hormone production are dependent on protein.
Healthy Source of Iron
Steak is also a healthy source of iron.
Iron is needed for the production of haemoglobin, which is part of red blood cells that transport oxygen molecules throughout the body.
Iron from red meat is absorbed efficiently in the blood. People who are used to consuming red meat and fish regularly are at less risk for iron deficiency.
Amazing Source of Micronutrients
Steak also contains minerals like carnosine and creatine, which are essential for muscle and brain function. It also contains zinc, selenium, iron, and B-vitamins, which are needed for the proper metabolism of the body.
FAQs:
Question: What is the best cut of steak to grill?
Answer: Ribeye cuts are perfect for grilling. The reason is its thickness. Ribeye cut is slightly thicker than other cuts and grilling involves a high amount of heat during cooking. Other cuts can be dried up and lose their texture due to intense heat. But ribeye can prove better.
Question: Why is steak so expensive?
Answer: Steaks that are made of beef are usually expensive. This is mostly due to the high price of beef meat.
Question: Is it healthy to eat steak?
Answer: Steak is healthy if you consider its high protein content since it is made from red meat. Steak also has a lot of beneficial fatty acids.
Conclusion
So, what is steak made of?
It is composed of parts of the beef’s muscular system, as well as some bony parts. Large fishes, such as salmon, can also be used to make steak. Steak can also be made from sheep, bison, deer, and camels.
The taste of steak can vary depending on the cut and the source!
