The Most Flavorful Beef Cuts and How to Cook Them

Butchers share their top picks for the tastiest steaks and the best ways to prepare them

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:19pm

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A high-contrast, silkscreen-style grid of a single, iconic beef cut repeated in a variety of bold, neon colors, conceptually representing the diverse flavors and textures of premium beef.A vibrant, pop art-inspired celebration of the most flavorful beef cuts, from the rich porterhouse to the mineral-forward hanger steak.NYC Today

To cook the most flavorful steak, it's important to know which cut of beef to look for. We asked two expert butchers - Katie Flannery of Flannery Beef and Evan Lobel of Lobel's Of New York - for their advice on the most flavor-packed beef cuts and the optimal cooking methods for each.

Why it matters

With so many different beef options available, even avid meat-eaters can get overwhelmed trying to choose the most delicious cuts. This expert guidance helps consumers make informed decisions and get the most out of their beef purchases.

The details

According to the butchers, some of the most flavorful beef cuts include the porterhouse, hanger steak, flat iron, minute steak, strip steak, and ribeye. The porterhouse in particular is praised for its rich, buttery flavor, while the hanger steak has a 'super rich, almost buttery' taste. The flat iron is described as having a 'more delicate, clean taste' that's versatile for various cooking methods. Minute steaks offer 'rich marbling and deep, beefy flavor' in a more affordable, quick-cooking portion. The strip steak is known for its bold, clean beef flavor and slightly firmer bite, while the ribeye is celebrated for its 'melt-in-your-mouth' texture and 'deeply beefy' taste. The experts also offer tips on the best ways to prepare each cut, from simple seasoning to quick searing or grilling.

  • The flat iron steak was first introduced in 1998 after research by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

The players

Katie Flannery

A butcher at Flannery Beef who provides expertise on the most flavorful beef cuts and how to cook them.

Evan Lobel

A butcher at Lobel's Of New York who shares his insights on the tastiest beef options and preparation methods.

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What they’re saying

“They have incredible marbling.”

— Evan Lobel, Butcher

“When you find a good one ... the depth of flavor is hard to beat.”

— Katie Flannery, Butcher

“It's essentially a petite strip steak, so you still get that rich marbling and deep, beefy flavor, just in a smaller, more affordable portion.”

— Evan Lobel, Butcher

“Ribeye is rich and deeply beefy, with an almost melt-in-your-mouth quality that I think is unmatched anywhere on the animal.”

— Katie Flannery, Butcher

“It's great for marinades and quick sears, finished with a squeeze of acid like lemon or vinegar.”

— Evan Lobel, Butcher

The takeaway

This guide provides valuable insights from experienced butchers on how to select the most flavorful beef cuts and the best ways to prepare them, empowering consumers to make informed choices and get the most out of their beef purchases.