You may have come across the term “baseball steak” and asked yourself what it is. Well, you’re in for a treat with this top sirloin steak cut. Baseball steaks have a round shape—think filet mignon—but are more flavorful and affordable.
We look deeper into this unusual steak cut, examining where it comes from, how it tastes, and where you can buy it.
What is a Baseball Steak, Exactly?
A baseball steak comes from the upper portion of the top sirloin. This lean cut is thick and flavorful, similar to the filet mignon. Unlike sirloin steaks, butchers remove the bone, tenderloin, and bottom round muscles in baseball steaks to form a center-cut top sirloin steak. Cuts of meat from the top sirloin typically carry meaty flavors.
Although this cut of beef is lean, it maintains its tenderness on high heat, which makes it ideal for cooking on the grill. It is a relatively small cut compared with a top sirloin cut because it’s cut from the upper part of this section.
Why Is It Called Baseball Steak?
The name “baseball steak” derives primarily from the shape of the steak cut. On cooking, a baseball steak’s sides and center puff, swell, and dome, forming a round shape much like a baseball.
Other Names for Baseball Steak
Some other names for this flavorful and robust steak cut include:
- Baseball cut steak
- Center-cut
- Top sirloin steak
- Boneless top sirloin butt steak
- Top sirloin filet
- Top sirloin butt steak
- Top sirloin filet boneless
- Center-cut top sirloin steak
The most appropriate name for a baseball steak is the top sirloin filet. This cut is incredibly flavorful despite its leanness (hence the term “filet”). Cooked correctly, it remains very tender with an incredible texture.
Where This Cut Comes From?
This steak cut comes from the animal’s sirloin primal, which lies between the round primal and the loin—specifically, the animal’s biceps femoris.
Baseball cut comes from the upper part of the top sirloin, lending itself to grilling at high temperatures. Bottom sirloin cuts like sirloin bavette and tri-tip, on the other hand, are excellent for roasting or braising.
Baseball Steak Nutrition Facts
A baseball steak contains approximately 48 calories per ounce. These calories break down as 8.6 grams of protein and 1.52 grams of fat. As it is red meat, a baseball steak also contains essential minerals and vitamins.
Source: USDA.
| Nutrition | Portion size: 3 oz = 85 g |
|---|---|
| Calories | 145 |
| Total Fat | 4.56 g |
| Protein | 26 g |
| Zinc | 6.32 mg |
| Iron | 2.46 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.521 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 3.1 µg |
Cooking Methods
Ideally, cook this steak on the grill to medium-rare or medium doneness at the most. This cooking style extracts its maximum preferred texture and flavor and maintains a tender, juicy cut. As with all steaks, avoid overcooking a baseball steak, as you could end up with a dry and flavorless piece of meat.
Alternative cooking methods for a baseball steak include:
- Broiling
- Sautéing
- Pan-frying
Keep the seasonings simple to avoid masking the robust flavor of this steak cut. Salt, pepper, and butter make ideal companion flavors, as do rosemary, garlic, or red wine.
Baseball Steak FAQs
What Does Baseball Steak Taste Like?
Baseball steak has a robust beefy flavor. It is a lean cut with no fat or marbling. When cooked correctly, it is tender with a fantastic melt-in-your-mouth texture.
What Cut of Meat is a Baseball Steak?
Baseball steak is a top sirloin steak cut into a circle (it comes from sirloin primal).
Is Baseball Steak Tender?
Regarding tenderness, baseball steak is a great alternative to filet mignon. Baseball steak is a thick and relatively lean cut but is very tender when cooked well. It’s even a better choice if you prefer a beefy flavor.
Is a Baseball Steak The Same as a Filet Mignon?
Baseball steak is often confused with filet mignon because of its shape. Filet mignon comes from beef tenderloin, part of the short loin. Baseball steak is a cut from top sirloin. They are two completely different cuts. Filet mignon is more tender and expensive but not as flavorful as baseball steak.
Where to Buy Baseball Steak Online?
Baseball steak (sirloin steak cut into a circle) is not a commonly available cut. Most specialist online butchers stock this steak cut for sale online. If you have trouble finding this cut in local stores, consider special ordering from a local butcher or use online butchers.