You might think a steak is a steak, but a lot of things go into creating the perfect eating experience. After finding the best steak to buy (we have suggestions that fit any budget), you have to cook it to the perfect level of doneness—that’s medium rare, if you’re asking me. When it’s finished cooking and has rested for 10 to 15 minutes, all the critical thinking parts are done, right?
Not so much! Knowing how to cut steak is the important final step.
Here’s the Secret
You have to slice against the grain. You’ve likely heard this before, but what does it actually mean? It all has to do with the direction of the meat’s muscle fibers. If you look closely at your steak (or, any piece of meat, for that matter), you’ll notice a bunch of lines that run parallel to each other. That’s it: the grain. It’s finer and harder to find in tender cuts like beef tenderloin or New York striploin, but larger and easier to identify in tougher steaks (such as skirt or flank).
When looking for the grain, you may get distracted by the grill marks on a cooked steak. Don’t make the mistake of slicing with or against the marks; they don’t necessarily correspond with the grain. If it gives you too much trouble, you can always become anti-grill marks like me: A steak that’s seared all over actually tastes better, and it’s certainly less distracting to slice.
Why Slicing Against the Grain Is Important
Once you’ve identified the grain, you’ll want to slice against it, making perpendicular slices that form a “T” with the grain. This cuts through the muscle fibers, shortening them to the length of the slice. The shorter fibers are much easier to chew, resulting in a perfectly tender steak. If you sliced parallel to the grain, each piece of meat would contain long, fibrous strands that are harder for your teeth to get through. And who wants to turn a perfectly cooked steak into a chewy mess?
How do you make sure you’re always slicing the right way? Align the steak on the cutting board so the muscle fibers run left to right. Then, make up-and-down slices with a sharp knife. It’s that easy!
Celebrate your new steak-cutting skills with our favorite grilled steak recipes.
Find a Super Steak Recipe for Dinner
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Steak with Chipotle-Lime Chimichurri
Steak gets a flavor kick from chimichurri. This piquant, all-purpose herb sauce is so versatile, it complements most any grilled meat, poultry or fish. —Laureen Pittman, Riverside, California
Beef Filets with Portobello Sauce
These tasty steaks seem special but they are fast enough for everyday dinners. We enjoy the mushroom-topped fillets with crusty French bread, mixed salad and a light lemon dessert. —Christel Stein, Tampa, Florida
Flank Steak with Cilantro & Blue Cheese Butter
I love the combination of the sweet citrus marinade and the strong tang of the blue cheese butter. And my kids just love flank steak. —Gwen Wedel, Augusta, Michigan
Grilled Onion & Skirt Steak Tacos
I grew up watching my grandmother and mother in the kitchen. My grandparents came from Mexico, and this steak marinated in beer and lime juice honors their passion for cooking. —Adan Franco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Beef and Blue Cheese Penne with Pesto
Unique and simple to prepare, this delicious pasta dish is filled with fresh flavors, and it’s as healthy as it is hearty. Best of all, it takes just 30 minutes to set this meal on the table. —Frances Pietsch, Flower Mound, Texas
Garlic Grilled Steaks
For a mouthwatering change of taste at your next barbecue, take steak to new flavor heights by basting your choice of cuts with a great garlicky blend that requires only a few minutes to fix. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Flank Steak with Couscous
It takes just minutes to broil this nicely seasoned flank steak. Slice the meat on an angle across the grain for the most tender results. You can substitute a pound of sirloin steak for the flank steak if you prefer. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Summer Steak Kabobs
These steak kabobs not only satisfy my love of outdoor cooking, they feature a mouthwatering marinade, too. It's terrific with chicken and pork, but I prefer it with beef because it tenderizes remarkably well. —Christi Ross, Guthrie, Texas
Stuffed Flank Steak
I like to make this on special occasions. The tender steak cuts easily into appetizing spirals for serving, and extra stuffing cooks conveniently in a foil packet on top of the steak. —Diane Hixon, Niceville, Florida
Tenderloin with Horseradish Cream Cheese
My husband and I both love the classic combination of beef and horseradish. He asks me to make this for dinner often, and I'm always happy to. Try serving with baked potatoes as a side.—Mary Lou Cook, Welches, Oregon
Beef Tenderloin in Mushroom Sauce
Just a skillet, a couple juicy steaks, fresh mushrooms and a few simple ingredients prove it doesn't take much fuss to fix a special meal for two. —Denise McNab, Warminster, Pennsylvania
Teriyaki Steak Skewers
When these flavorful skewered steaks are sizzling on the grill, the aroma makes everyone around stop what they're doing and come see what's cooking. The tasty marinade is easy to make, and these little steaks are quick to cook and fun to eat. —Jeri Dobrowski, Beach, North Dakota
Southwest Steak & Potatoes
Bold seasonings give meat and potatoes a Southwest twist. Feel free to adjust the heat factor by using more or less chili powder. —Kenny Fisher, Lancaster, Ohio
Maple & Blue Cheese Steak
This is a wonderful, cheesy recipe that melts in your mouth. I love this traditional Canadian meal. It certainly has a special feel; the sauce is a fantastic complement to steak. —Susan Jerrott, Bedford, Nova Scotia
Grilled Steaks with Greek Relish
My ribeye steak showcases the flavors of Greece my husband and I were introduced to while on a cruise. We like it with pita bread and hummus. —Mary Lou Cook, Welches, Oregon
Flank Steak with Cilantro Salsa Verde
Even though steak is always a winner in our house, to make it even more special I add jarred salsa verde and top with freshly chopped tomato and avocado. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Smoky Espresso Steak
This juicy steak rubbed with espresso, cocoa and pumpkin pie spice is one of my husband’s favorites. Broiling is a good year-round method, but we love making it on the grill, too. —Deborah Biggs, Omaha, Nebraska
Grilled Steaks with Marinated Tomatoes
The flavor of the tomatoes improves after they marinate overnight. I could eat them all by themselves! Our family likes these steaks best served with cheesy potatoes or glazed green beans.—Anna Davis, Half Way, Missouri
Balsamic-Seasoned Steak
This simple recipe ensures a tender steak without a long marinating time. Steak sauce and balsamic vinegar are a great team, and you can’t go wrong with melty Swiss on top.
Tenderloin Steak Diane
Sometimes, I add more mushrooms to this recipe when my son's eating dinner—he loves them, and they are just fantastic with the steak. — Carolyn Turner, Reno, Nevada
Blue Cheese Flat Iron Steak
This is one of my favorite flat iron steak recipes. If you haven't already enjoyed the rich, creamy pairing of blue cheese with your favorite steak, stop reading and get cooking! I take it a step further by folding in a little butter to make the dish even more drool-worthy. —Amanda Martin, Monson, Massachusetts
Chili-Rubbed Steak & Bread Salad
We love skirt steak in our house. To make it a meal, I created a ranch-inspired bread salad with the best flavor combinations - creamy, tangy, sweet and fresh. — Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut
Grilled Ribeyes with Herb Butter
I make this recipe for special occasions. The tantalizing fragrance of the herbs de Provence is unforgettable. The seasoning and herb butter goes well with filet mignon, T-bone and steak strips, too. —John Baranski, Baldwin City, Kansas
Tenderloin Steaks with Cherry Sauce
This recipe stars a delectable sauce made with wine, plump cherries, and steak portioned just right. —Jacob Kitzman, Seattle, Washington
Blue Cheese-Crusted Sirloin Steaks
My wife adores this steak—and me when I fix it for her. She thinks it’s the ideal dish for Friday night after a long workweek. —Michael Rouse, Minot, North Dakota
Chipotle-Honey Grilled T-Bones
If you like to kick things up on the grill, this is the steak for you. My husband even makes this in a Dutch oven, and the meat just sizzles. —Donna Goutermont, Sequim, Washington
Glazed Beef Tournedos
I found this wonderful, quick recipe in a book years ago. It’s been a favorite for special occasions ever since! I like to serve it with twice-baked potatoes and a spinach salad. —Janet Singleton, Bellevue, Ohio
Peppered Filets with Horseradish Cream Sauce
This beef tenderloin recipe is a family favorite that's quick and always satisfying. The creamy sauce has the perfect blend of horseradish and mustard. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan
Steak au Poivre for 2
With the punch of peppercorns and a smooth, beefy sauce, this steak is delicious. You'll love the hint of sweetness the bittersweet chocolate adds to the savory meat. —Crystal Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Steak Diane
When I want to provide a memorable dinner but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen, this is the recipe I rely on. I've used it many times on holidays or other occasions for a quick, impressive main dish. We relish the savory sauce poured over the steaks. —Pheobe Carre, Mullica Hill, New Jersey
Grilled Steak Pinwheels
I've been serving this recipe to family and friends for 20 years and very seldom do I have any leftovers. We try to keep the house cool, so we grill out often. —Mary Hills, Scottsdale, Arizona
Easy Marinated Flank Steak
I got this recipe from a friend's collection many years ago. It's how my family makes steak on the grill and a must when we're having company. —Debbie Bonczek, Tariffville, Connecticut
Surf & Turf
For an intimate dinner with close friends, serve this stunning dinner of tenderloin steaks and lobster tail. Your guests will think they are dining at a fine restaurant when you serve them this surf and turf dish. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Saucy Skillet Steaks
These juicy ribeye steaks couldn't be easier. I prefer steak, but I’ve also used the seasonings on chicken breasts, fish, veal and hamburgers, so use whatever meat you have. —Karen Haen, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Bacon-Wrapped Filets with Scotched Mushrooms
I got the idea for this 30-minute recipe when I came across bacon-wrapped filets that were on sale in the grocery store. The rest was inspired by my husband, because he once made a Scotch and ginger ale sauce. This elegant recipe is for two, but it can easily be doubled. —Mary Kay LaBrie, Clermont, Florida
Merlot Filet Mignon
Although this is a simple recipe, the filet is rich and elegant enough for a special occasion. Add a salad and rolls, and dinner is done! —Jauneen Hosking, Waterford, Wisconsin
Chocolate-Chipotle Sirloin Steak
Looking to do something a little different with grilled sirloin? Add a smoky heat and chocolaty rich color with this easy 5-ingredient rub. —Healthy Cooking Test Kitchen
Steak with Citrus Salsa
A lime juice marinade really perks up these grilled steaks, and the snappy, light citrus salsa is a super change from the usual heavy steak sauce. I brighten up winter meals by broiling the meat and serving it this way. —Kathleen Smith, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Skillet Steak Supper
With all of the ingredients cooked in one skillet, this steak dish couldn't be quicker to prepare...or clean up! But the wine and mushroom sauce makes it seem special. —Sandra Fisher, Monroe, Washington
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Lindsay D. Mattison