The most expensive steaks in the world are soft, buttery, and full of flavor. With very little preparation, these premier cuts of beef will make your mouth water and your taste buds sing. You may need to massage your wallet a little due to the cost, but that’s better than massaging tough meat. Are you ready for a culinary journey that will change the way you look at steak? Let’s go.
Here is a list of the five most expensive steak cuts:
- Japanese A5 Kobe Beef
- Japanese Wagyu Beef
- Olive Wagyu Beef
- Australian Wagyu Beef
- American Wagyu Beef
| Type of beef | Price per pound |
|---|---|
| Japanese A5 Kobe Beef | $200-$400+ |
| Japanese Wagyu Beef | $75-$400+ |
| Olive Wagyu Beef | $200-$400+ |
| Australian Wagyu Beef | $100-$200+ |
| American Wagyu Beef | $25-$150+ |
1. A5 Kobe Beef – The most expensive
A5 Kobe Beef Price Per Pound: $200-$400+
Intense buttery flavor, extreme marbling and tenderness, and limited supply make A5 Kobe beef one of the most expensive cuts of steak. A5 Kobe beef is also expensive due to its strict grading process. No more than a few thousand cattle earn the sought-after serial number that proves the meat is authentic A5 Kobe Beef. Learn more about this exclusive cut by reading our comprehensive post on Kobe Beef.
2. Japanese Wagyu Beef
Japanese Wagyu Beef Price Per Pound: $75$-$400+
Japanese Wagyu beef is expensive because it is famous for its exceptional flavor, texture, and excessive marbling. It is a product of meticulous breeding and intense quality control (Learn more about the Japanese wagyu grading system). Remember that the price of wagyu beef depends on numerous factors, including the grade of beef, the type of cut, the region of origin, and supply and demand.
You may not realize this, but “Wagyu” translates directly to Japanese beef cow. Raising cattle is considered an art form in Japan and a serious responsibility for farmers. They follow strict traditional practices, resulting in Japanese Wagyu beef of excellent quality.
3. Olive Wagyu Beef
Olive Wagyu Beef Price Per Pound: $200-$400+
Olive Wagyu originates from Shodoshima Island in the Kagawa Prefecture of Japan. It is one of the most expensive cuts of beef because it is a rare and highly sought-after type of Japanese Wagyu beef. With its intensely marbled texture and buttery flavor, Olive Wagyu is highly desirable for every steak enthusiast. The cattle are fed a diet of olives, which provide them with the distinctive marbling and melt-in-the-mouth texture characteristic of Olive Wagyu.
4. Australian Wagyu Beef
Australian Wagyu Beef Price Per Pound: $100-$200+
Australian Wagyu is Japanese Wagyu that has been imported to Australia, but it’s important to note that there are two types of Australian Wagyu: purebred and crossbred. Only a small percentage of Australian Wagyu is purebred, with the majority being a crossbreed of Japanese and Australian cattle. While Australian Wagyu differs from Japanese Wagyu in several ways, it’s still a high-quality beef that comes with a high price tag.
5. American Wagyu Beef
American Wagyu Beef Price Per Pound: $25-$150+
Important note: Japanese and American Wagyu are not of the same quality. American Wagyu is a crossbreed between the Kuroge Washu (The Japanese Black breed) and the Angus breed. It has a milder flavor and less marbling than top-graded Japanese Wagyu. Butchers grade American Wagyu according to the USDA standards, which are not as strict as the traditional Japanese grading system. Nevertheless, American Wagyu is still an expensive beef prized for its flavor, marbling, and tenderness.
Most Expensive Cuts Available at Almost Every Local Butcher
While the cuts listed above are delicious, they are too expensive for most people to eat regularly and may also be difficult to source. Fortunately, the following cuts offer a tasty alternative that you can find at your local butcher’s without breaking the bank.
| Name of cut | Price per pound |
|---|---|
| Filet Mignon | $200-$400+ |
| Tomahawk Steak (bone-in ribeye) | $75-$400+ |
| Porterhouse Steak | $200-$400+ |
| New York Strip Steak | $100-$200+ |
Filet Mignon
Filet Mignon Price Per Pound: 20$-80$+
Filet mignon is considered one of the best cuts of beef because it comes from the most tender part of the beef tenderloin. Although it has little fat and marbling, it also has no sinew or gristle. It is typically served rare to bring out the best flavor and achieve a melt-in-the-mouth texture.
Tomahawk Steak (Bone-in Ribeye)
Tomahawk Steak Price Per Pound: 10$-70$+
A tomahawk steak is a large ribeye steak with a long bone that resembles a tomahawk. The tomahawk steak is beloved for its tender and flavorful meat, perfectly balanced with fat and an impressive presentation. It’s also one of the most delicious and expensive steaks available.
Porterhouse Steak
Porterhouse Steak Price Per Pound: 20-70$+
Porterhouse steak is another popular and expensive cut of beef. With a Porterhouse, you get a New York strip and tenderloin on either side of the bone, making it ideal for those who prefer tender meat that melts in the mouth. In terms of flavor, the strip steak beats the tenderloin section hands-down, making the Porterhouse a great way to balance consistency and taste.
It’s important to note that the Porterhouse steak is often mistaken for the T-bone steak, but the primary difference between the two is the ratio of strip steak to tenderloin. For more details, read our comprehensive guide: Porterhouse vs. T-bone steak.
New York Strip
New York Strip Price Per Pound: 20$-70$+
The New York strip is one of the most popular and expensive steaks in the world, and a top choice at many steakhouses. Many people prefer the New York strip over ribeye due to its lower marbling content and slightly more intense beef flavor
FAQs
What is The Most Expensive Steak in The World?
The most expensive steak in the world is typically a cut of Japanese wagyu beef, such as Kobe beef, which can cost up to $600 per pound.
What Is The Highest Quality Beef in The World?
The highest quality beef in the world is top-grade Japanese wagyu beef. Wagyu beef is prized for its intense marbling, tenderness, rich flavor, and texture.
What is The Most Expensive Part of Beef?
The most expensive section of beef is probably the tenderloin, which is a long, cylindrical muscle located near the spine.
Why is Wagyu Beef The Most Expensive?
Wagyu beef is the most expensive because of its flavor, intensive marbling, high demand, restrictive raising and grading system, and limited supply. For more information, see our article: Why is wagyu beef so expensive?