Four Lesser-Known Steak Cuts You’ll Love to Cook on the Grill
Four Lesser-Known Steak Cuts You'll Love to Cook on the Grill
While I have always had a fondness for barbecue cooked low and slow, it has only been later in life — much later than most might imagine — that I gained an appreciation for steak. Omaha, where I have lived for the last several years, is not known for having a particularly strong barbecue scene, but it is, in fact, known for steaks. In addition to having several renowned steak restaurants, Omaha also has no shortage of great butcher shops and beef providers.
Learning to cook a good steak has been one of my favorite activities in recent years. (Photo by Sonia Dadzie)
A few years ago, while stuck at home recovering from a cancer diagnosis, I decided to learn how to cook a good steak on the grill. Thankfully, I made friends with the folks at Raikes Beef Co., Cure Cooking, and Helping U Barbeque, and got a lot of helpful advice. I tried as many different cuts as I could and while I love famous steak cuts like ribeyes and New York strips, they are not my favorites to cook.
Here are my four favorite lesser-known steak cuts you will love to grill in the backyard.
The bavette steak is one of my favorite steak cuts to cook on the grill. (Photo by Wai Chan)
Bavette Steak
The bavette is a soft and juicy cut of steak that lends itself to cooking on the grill. While it is not as well-known as a ribeye or New York strip, the bavette is tasty and easy to cook. Serve it with a flavorful chimichurri sauce with tons of fresh herbs and spices, and your family will be in for a treat. Check out my recipe for Grilled Bavette Steak with Chimichurri Sauce.
Coulotte steak is more popularly known in Brazil as picanha. (Photo by Wai Chan)
Coulotte Steak
The coulotte steak is a delicious and often overlooked cut that sits atop the sirloin steak. This lean cut contains a thin fat cap and lends itself to grilling, broiling, and reverse searing. The coulotte steak benefits from high heat, which will sear the meat and start to melt the fat cap, making for an incredibly flavorful bite. This cut is famous in Brazil, where it is known as the picanha and is one of the most prized of all beef cuts.
Denver steaks are tender and have great marbling. (Photo by Ryan Cooper)
Denver Steak
The Denver steak is a cut that has gained popularity in recent years. This steak comes from under the blade muscle and is one of the more tender muscles of the beef chuck or shoulder portion of the animal. Denver steaks have great beefy flavor and typically feature good marbling, making them a great option for grilling or as a breakfast steak.
Skirt steak is thin and fibrous and cooks quickly on the grill. (Photo by Wai Chan)
Skirt Steak
Skirt steak is a delicious cut for the grill. While it is full of flavor, it is also tough and fibrous, so marinating for a few hours or more is your best bet. This cut is thinner than most other steaks and typically requires only a few minutes over direct heat on the grill. Here’s my favorite marinade recipe for skirt steak.
--
While I certainly don’t consider myself a steak master just yet, I have had a lot of fun learning how to quickly and easily grill steak in the backyard. What’s your favorite steak cut to cook? Let us know!
Ryan Cooper (BBQ Tourist)
Co-Founder, The Smoke Sheet
Raikes Beef Co. offers 100% Nebraska-born and raised American Wagyu and Angus beef shipped directly from their farm to your door. Use the promo code BBQTOURIST20 to receive 20% off your first purchase. CLICK TO ORDER.
—BBQ operations from all across Texas, including Miller’s Smokehouse above, served great bites at the Texas Monthly BBQ Fest this past weekend. (Photo by Tales from the Pits / Twitter)—
HOT OFF THE PRESS
This past weekend, the Texas Monthly BBQ Fest hosted BBQ lovers from around the state and the country for two days of killer barbecue bites in Lockhart. Texas Monthly hosted a “BBQ World’s Fair” on Saturday and a “Top 50 Picnic” on Sunday, which featured 30+ of the best barbecue joints in Texas. Our friends from the Tales from the Pits podcast posted highlights from the event on Twitter. SEE HIGHLIGHTS HERE.
In one of the strangest barbecue stories this year, a woman called 911 after being served “pink” pork at Clyde Cooper’s in Raleigh, North Carolina. The owner and several customers tried to explain to the woman (who later spoke to the media) that it was perfectly normal for the pork to be pink after being smoked, but she insisted it wasn’t done. “We had a customer come in and order takeout, a barbecue plate, and a couple sides,” said Ashley Holt, whose mother, Debbie Holt, owns Clyde Cooper’s Barbecue in Raleigh. “She left and came back and said her barbecue was undercooked because it had a lot of pink in it. We explained that’s because it’s smoked. … The cop looked so confused. He seemed baffled by someone calling the cops over this.” READ MORE.
ADDITIONAL READS
Is the foil-boat method the best way to cook brisket? Texas Monthly investigates.
Here are five of the best BBQ joints you can visit in North Carolina.
Many pitmasters cook brisket on offset smokers, but Big Boy's Bar-B-Que in Sweetwater, Texas, still cooks over direct heat — pretty brisket be damned.
Premium seasoning maker Oakridge BBQ recently announced it would cease operations by the end of the year.
Morgan’s Brooklyn Barbecue has reopened after burning down almost two years ago.
Amp up your holiday meals with BBQ & grilling recipes, tips, and more from AmazingRibs.com. CLICK TO LEARN MORE.
—Weird History Food takes a look at all of the different styles of BBQ that can be found in the United States.—
WATCH
Every BBQ Style We Could Find In the United States — Weird History Food
Weird History Food is cooking up some BBQ for you. Food historians and culinary experts often disagree on where barbecuing traditions started. BBQ joints and backyard parties across the nation play host to their distinctive seasonings and cooking methods, producing an American staple deeply rooted in both immigration and native history. This list features some of the most famous (and not so famous) barbecuing styles across the U.S. WATCH HERE.
LISTEN
My Top Five BBQ Joints — May The Smoke Be With You
In this episode, host Joe Leavitt shares his Top 5 list of his favorite BBQ joints. He also asks his friends from the BBQ community for their top spots as well. Listen to find out the best-loved restaurants from David Olson of Live Fire Republic, Scott Thomas of Grillin Fools, Heath Riles, Susie Bulloch of Hey Grill Hey, Adam McKenzie of This Jew Can Cue, and more. LISTEN HERE.
READ
Pig Beach BBQ Cookbook: Smoked, Grilled, Roasted, and Sauced — Matt Abdoo and Shane McBride
Matt Abdoo and Shane McBride cut their teeth preparing three-star Italian and French cuisine, but in their spare time, what they loved cooking (and eating) was barbecue. Eventually, they traded in their Michelin star kitchens for a smoker. They opened their dream restaurant: a laid-back eatery that pays homage to the culinary traditions of American BBQ but isn’t afraid to experiment with worldly influences. Now, you can master Matt and Shane’s smoky meats and championship-winning sauces at home. With more than 50 mouthwatering recipes, Pig Beach BBQ Cookbook includes everything from traditional favorites like buffalo wings and smoked beef brisket, to groundbreaking new dishes like Mojo-Marinated St. Louis Ribs and Secret Spice Pecan Candied Bacon. ORDER HERE.
sie Bulloch of Hey Grill Hey shares the perfect recipe for sweet, spicy, and savory ribs.—
Fireball Peach Smoked Ribs
By Hey Grill Hey
For the most flavorful and amazing ribs you’ll ever have, you must try these Fireball Peach Smoked Ribs from Susie Bulloch of Hey Grill Hey. They’re the perfect combo of sweet, spicy, and savory.
Learn more about Southside Market Barbeque.
—Be sure to hit up a great BBQ event this fall.—
November 11-12, 2022: Warriors BBQ Ribs Championship — Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii’s first ever KCBS-sanctioned BBQ competition will take place on Veterans Day Weekend with the debut event “Warrior BBQ Ribs Championship.” This contest will include 3-rounds of pork ribs at the beautiful beachside Kapiolani Regional Park on the island of Oahu. The cake is $10,000 in prize monies, and the event theme (“Honors-to-Others”) will not only seek to celebrate Hawaii’s diverse backyard barbecue scene but also bring special honors to veterans, active military, and first responders. MORE INFO HERE.
November 11-12, 2022: Bourbon & Barbeque Louisville — Louisville, Kentucky
Bourbon and barbecue aficionados will want to stop by this new festival in Louisville. The event will feature pitmasters from around the country and tons of bourbon samples. MORE INFO HERE.
November 11-13, 2022: KCBS World Invitational — Gadsden, Alabama
The Kansas City Barbeque Society’s biggest event for the rest of the year is the fourth annual KCBS World Invitational Barbeque Competition. The event will bring together top champion pitmasters to compete for the title of “KCBS World Champion.” This event will feature three full days of contests and events. There will be both an open contest and a Master Series contest. Plus, backyard teams will be eligible to compete in the open against Master Series teams without impacting their Backyard status. MORE INFO HERE.
November 18-20, 2022: Jacksonville BBQ Fest — Jacksonville, Florida
During the past few years, Florida has become an even bigger attraction for barbecue restaurants and events. The Jacksonville BBQ Fest, held at TIAA Bank Field (where the Jaguars play), is one event that brings barbecue fans together to get a taste of great local and national barbecue bites. On top of the top-notch food, there’s also live music and great drinks to enjoy. To get a taste of this event, be sure to read Ed Reilly’s recap of the Denver BBQ Festival, which is hosted by the same organizers. MORE INFO HERE.
November 19, 2022: Holy Smokes BBQ Festival — Charleston, South Carolina
Aaron Siegel and Taylor Garrigan of Home Team BBQ, Anthony DiBernardo of Swig & Swine, and Robert Moss, the Contributing BBQ Editor for Southern Living, have invited the leaders of the barbecue community from around the country to come together in Charleston on November 19th, 2022 at Riverfront Park. With live music playing on stage against the backdrop of the Cooper River, guests will have a unique opportunity to sample a range of barbecue styles from the group of renowned pitmasters. Expect to taste slow-smoked whole hog, pork and beef ribs, Texas-style brisket, smoked sausage, BBQ tacos, and much, much more. MORE INFO HERE.
Thanks for reading our newsletter. Please share it with friends and family that also love and support barbecue! Want to be featured in or sponsor The Smoke Sheet?
Email us here!