Sirloin tip steak is a lean and affordable cut from the round primal, not the sirloin primal. In this article, I’ll explain where it comes from, the other names it goes by, and its flavor profile, and I’ll share the best methods to make it tender and delicious.
What is Sirloin Tip Steak?
Sirloin tip steak is a beef cut from the round primal, not the sirloin as the name suggests. It’s naturally lean, tough, and full of beefy flavor but needs the right cooking methods – don’t treat it like a tender steak. It’s a versatile cut, but to enjoy it at its best, you must tenderize it first – either by marinating, using a mechanical tenderizer, or cooking it slowly over low heat. In short, it’s not good for quick, high-heat cooking unless you tenderize it first.
Sirloin tip steak is a budget-friendly cut that’s easy to find in most stores, but it takes some work to get it tender and full of flavor. It’s not one of those premium cuts you can just season with salt and pepper, throw on the grill or pan for a few minutes, and end up with a juicy, tender steak. This cut is better suited for cooks with the skills and the patience to work with it. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a naturally tough and chewy steak. There are many ways to make sirloin tip steak tender and delicious, but this isn’t the cut for you if you’re after something quick, easy, and super tender.
What Are the Other Names for Sirloin Tip Steak?
Here are the most popular other names for the sirloin tip steak in the United States:
- Breakfast Steak,
- Knuckle Steak,
- Round Tip Steak,
- Sandwich Steak,
- Tip Steak.
Where Does a Sirloin Tip Steak Come From on a Cow?
Sirloin tip steak comes from the round primal, specifically the sirloin tip sub-primal (front end of the rear leg). Butchers usually cut the whole sirloin tip into roasts, but they also cut it into steaks like the sirloin tip steak.
What Does Sirloin Tip Steak Taste Like?
Sirloin tip steak has a strong, beefy flavor. It’s a very flavorful cut of steak, but it’s naturally lean and tough. Unlike well-marbled cuts, it doesn’t have rich, buttery notes. Instead, sirloin tip steak offers the intense, beefy taste of the well-worked muscles.
What Are the Best Methods for Cooking Sirloin Tip Steak?
Sirloin tip steak needs the right cooking methods to make it tender and flavorful. Since it is very lean and naturally tough, it’s easy to overcook it and end up with a chewy and dry texture. The best approach is to cook it low and slow or use a good marinade or tenderizer to break down the tough muscle fibers before cooking it over high heat. You’ll get a tough and chewy steak if you skip the marinating or tenderizing step and throw it straight onto a hot pan or grill.
Slow cooking methods, like braising, work well for this cut. If you have a thicker steak, sous vide is another solid method. Cooking it at around 130°F (54°C) to 135°F (57°C) for about 24 hours with sous vide gives you a perfectly cooked steak from edge to edge while breaking down those tough fibers, making it much more tender.
