What's The Most Expensive Cut Of Steak You Can Buy? (2024)

andra picincu

·3 min read

Most people associate the word "steak" with a piece of meat from the cow's chest, thighs, shoulders, or other muscles. However, steaks can also come from pigs, goats, sheep, salmon, tuna, and other animals or fish. The difference between beef and steak is that the former only comes from cattle. But even so, the most expensive steak cuts are usually obtained from cows — and the price can run into hundreds of dollars per pound.

Generally, it's easy to tell if you'reeating a cheap or an expensive steak. The most tender cuts, which often have the highest price tag, simply melt in your mouth. They're juicy and flavorful, with heavy marbling. The price also depends on the breed of cattle and other factors, such as how the cows are raised and fed. For example, the steak from Wagyu, Kobe, and other Japanese cattle breeds is a lot more expensive than a ribeye or t-bone steak.

Read more: The 13 Best Steaks For Grilling

A5 Wagyu Steak Has The Highest Price Per Pound

Japanese A5 Wagyu is the most expensive steak you can buy, and for good reason. Its tenderness, intense marbling, and subtle umami flavor are unmatched. Plus, it meets the highest quality standards and takes minutes to cook. The meat comes from Wagyu cattle, which belong to four breeds with similar characteristics. The cows are raised in a low-stress environment and fed a high-calorie diet based on rice, hay, and wheat.

Wagyu steaks are rated based on meat yield and quality. A5 Wagyu beef holds the highest grade in its class and is considered the finest meat on the market. Food experts worldwide praise its exceptional marbling and buttery texture, as well as its unparalleled depth of flavor. It's also worth mentioning that A5 Wagyu steaks are produced in limited quantities, which further drives up the price.

A more affordable option is American Wagyu steak, which boasts a velvety texture and delicate flavor. The meat comes from grass-fed cows that are raised similarly to those in Japan. Although it has less marbling than Japanese Wagyu, it's still considered a culinary delicacy.

Is A5 Wagyu Beef Worth The Money?

What's The Most Expensive Cut Of Steak You Can Buy? (3)

An A5 Wagyu whole ribeye steak can cost up to $1,700, depending on its size. As you would expect, prices are even higher at restaurants and steakhouses. However, some say that Wagyu beef is overrated. "I hate the stuff," cookbook author Richard Turner said toBloombergin 2017. "It slaps you around the head and then trails off quickly. Some people like that, but I'm an Englishman, and I like my beefy flavor to last." Canadian author Mark Schatzker also told Bloomberg that he enjoys Wagyu beef's flavor, but not its texture. "It's more like foie gras. Steak is bloody," said to the outlet.

Some consumers find the A5 Wagyu steak too fatty for their taste. Additionally, its flavor may vary depending on the cooking method used. For example, Gordon Ramsay hates the Wagyu beef trend because many people fail to prepare the meat properly. Another problem is that very few stores and restaurants sell real Wagyu beef, so you might be wasting your money.

Whether or not you prefer fancy foods, such as Japanese Wagyu steak, is a matter of personal preference. If you're in a position to splurge, then go for it. Just remember that you can always opt for American Wagyu beef, New York strip steak, Chateaubriand, or other premium steaks at a fraction of the price.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.

What's The Most Expensive Cut Of Steak You Can Buy? (2024)

FAQs

What is the most expensive cut of steak you can buy? ›

Japanese A5 Wagyu is the most expensive steak you can buy, and for good reason. Its tenderness, intense marbling, and subtle umami flavor are unmatched. Plus, it meets the highest quality standards and takes minutes to cook. The meat comes from Wagyu cattle, which belong to four breeds with similar characteristics.

Which is more expensive, Kobe or Wagyu? ›

While Kobe beef is technically a type of Wagyu beef, the differences between the two can affect both the taste and the price. Kobe beef is rarer and harder to come by than other types of Wagyu. This, combined with the strict requirements to earn the Kobe label, means that it's typically more expensive.

What is more expensive, Wagyu or filet mignon? ›

The most expensive cut of any kind of beef is typically the filet mignon which often costs at least $20 per pound directly from the farmer and can reach as much as $300 per pound if it's a wagyu filet from a restaurant.

Which is more expensive, ribeye or sirloin? ›

When it comes to top sirloin vs ribeye, rib eye is typically a few dollars more per pound. These cuts are especially trendy right now, and prices reflect that. However, some bone-in ribeyes may be a little less expensive than boneless sirloin cuts.

What is the number 1 cut of steak? ›

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. Ribeye is the most flavorful, but the least tender of the three, and New York is in the middle.” Flannery explains.

Which steak is the highest quality you can buy? ›

Prime. Prime grade beef is the highest quality you can get. It features beautiful red meat laced with thin striations of white fat. This meat is well suited for a multitude of cooking conditions.

How much is a tomahawk steak? ›

The bone can weigh between 6-8 ounces, like this one: What is this? You should also be able to purchase tomahawk steaks from your local butcher. The cost of a tomahawk steak price per pound varies between $35 to $70 per pound, depending on where you are in the States.

Which cost more filet mignon or ribeye? ›

While both tend to cost more than other cuts of meat, the filet mignon is considerably more expensive than the ribeye. The tenderness of the cut and its scarcity may explain why.

Is NY strip or ribeye better? ›

The New York strip's balance of flavor and lean meat justifies its slightly more budget-friendly status, while the ribeye offers exceptional tenderness and marbling, contributing to its more coveted status and thus higher price tag.

Why is top sirloin so cheap? ›

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.

What are the top 5 most tender steaks? ›

Famously tender cuts like filet mignon, prime rib, and porterhouse steak may need very little additional seasoning, but hanger steak and flat iron steak can be just as delicious with the help of marinades.

Why is wagyu so expensive? ›

Simply put, Wagyu beef's high price tag is due to its superior flavor and texture of the meat — all a result of specific genetics of the breed as well as the attention, care and resources put into the raising of the cattle.

How much is 1 pound of Kobe beef? ›

Kobe beef typically costs between $200 and $500 per pound, whereas Wagyu beef is priced in the range of $50 to $150 per pound.

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