What Is Top Sirloin? Our Guide To Sirloin Steaks (2024)

FAQs

What Is Top Sirloin? Our Guide To Sirloin Steaks? ›

Top sirloin is basically a sirloin steak with the bones and bottom round muscles removed. You get a “premium” boneless cut with top sirloin, which makes for a superior eating experience. You may also see cuts labeled top sirloin, sirloin tip, top sirloin cap, or picanha.

Top sirloin steaks differ from sirloin steaks in that the bone and the tenderloin and bottom round muscles have been removed; the remaining major muscles are the gluteus medius and biceps femoris (top sirloin cap steak).

The top sirloin is a naturally lean, thick cut of steak with a bold, beefy flavor. This popular steak is delicious on its own, adds huge flavor to recipes, and cooks well with marinades and sauces. Top sirloin is a favorite grilling steak that's lean enough and affordable enough to enjoy any night of the week.

The top sirloin steak is the most tender and flavorful of the sirloin cuts. It's taken from the upper portion of the sirloin, close to the short loin. This steak is well-marbled, making it juicy and flavorful.

The best way to cook this cut is on the grill. But pan-seared Sirloin steak is also delicious. Additionally, you can broil Top Sirloin steaks in the oven, sous vide, or even air fry your steak. Select your favorite Top Sirloin steak marinade or our Kansas City Steak Original Steak Seasoning and get started!

Adjacent to the top sirloin cut, you'll find the sirloin tip. Leaner and less tender than top sirloin, sirloin tips are the most tender of all round cuts. Perfect on its own, this cut is also excellent for marinading. Thus, the ideal cut when you're looking to make (or enjoy) the most tender steak sub.

With more marbling, ribeye steaks are better known for their rich flavor and texture. However, dry-aging grilled sirloin steak can enhance its beefy taste without adding fat. Both ribeye and sirloin are wonderfully tender cuts, but ribeye has the edge here.

The biggest factor is probably size. Top sirloin is often cut 1.5” to 1.75” inches thick. Any thinner and it's easier to overcook the meat. Go much thicker and you'll need to start thinking about low and slow cooking techniques like braising so you can break down the meat and produce a tender result.

Being lean, top sirloin rarely has enough fat content to change the texture. The soft, sometimes stringy texture of heavy marbling is not present in this cut. As long as the sirloin is not overcooked, it will still be tender and juicy. On top of all of this, sirloin is one of the most affordable cuts of steak.

The long, slow cook time leaves lean meat, like sirloin, tough and chewy, while tougher cuts, like chuck, break down and become really tender. Follow this tip: When choosing the best meat for beef stew, stick with using chuck meat.

Is top sirloin better than NY strip? ›

This depends on personal preference. For a more tender, fattier cut, the New York Strip wins out over the sirloin steak, but it should be noted, some sirloin cuts, like the top sirloin or tenderloin are very tender and juicy as well.

Most fine restaurants age their beef to intensify the flavor and improve the tenderness of the cut. Wet aging is done by vacuum packing the meat and letting it age in its own juices. Wet aging is done by more than 90% of fine steakhouses.

Season generously with salt and black pepper all over the steak cut. Place directly on your hot grill racks (recommend 400F heat) to cook for 4-5 minutes. Flip the steak, then add the sprig of rosemary and cube of cold butter on top. Grill for 4-5 more minutes, or until desired doneness.

Grilled steak has a smoky flavour and is a healthier option, while pan seared steak has a rich, caramelized flavour and is convenient for indoor cooking. Ultimately, the method you choose will depend on your personal preference and cooking style. Try both methods and decide which one is right for you!

“Those are steaks from the midsection of the animal, between the rib and the rump.” These cuts—ribeye, New York strip loin, and filet mignon—can certainly be dubbed the best, and few will disagree. “Filet is the most tender cut, but has the least amount of flavor.

As you can see from the picture, the sirloin is situated in the hindquarter of the animal, and whatever the various steaks are called – whether it be Sirloin Steak, Porterhouse Steak, New York Strip or Striploin Steak – they're all the same cut of beef and they're all boneless.

Grilling Filet Mignon

Black Angus filet mignon is the most tender cut of beef used for steaks. It comes from the smaller end of the tenderloin and should be well-marbled. You can grill it or cook it in a skillet and is best served blue rare or rare.

For a more tender, fattier cut, the New York Strip wins out over the sirloin steak, but it should be noted, some sirloin cuts, like the top sirloin or tenderloin are very tender and juicy as well.