Tenderloin, which is where the filet mignon steak comes from, is the least chewy steak. It is delicate, lean, tender, and has a butter-like texture. It does very little work, so it never has a chance to get tough and fibrous.
Of the several varieties of steaks that come from a cow, the filet mignon (also known as a tenderloin or chateaubriand) is the most tender of all. Other supremely tender cuts of steak include flat iron, strip, rib-eye, short ribs, t-bone, and porterhouse.
Considered the most tender cut of all, a filet mignon is taken from the center of the beef tenderloin. It is lean yet delivers a melt-in-your mouth, buttery succulence. Perfect for grilling, pan-searing and broiling in the oven. Available in several weights, a filet is perfect for 1 person.
The steaks that are the least chewy and most tender include the tenderloin where the filet mignon comes from, the rib area where ribeye and prime rib come from, and the short loin area where the New York strip comes from. And all of those come from the midsection of the cow.
Tenderloin Steak
The most tender of all cuts of beef, tenderloin steaks are lean and known for their delicate, butter-like texture and thick cut. These mouthwatering steaks are so tender they can be “cut with a butter knife.” Tenderloin steaks are commonly known as filets or filet mignon.
What kind of steaks should I use? Filet mignons are the easiest to cook at home, because they're the most tender. Ribeye is great too, though.
The rib eye steak is one of the most beloved, flavourful, and tender cuts of beef both here in Australia and around the world. It is also known as the rib fillet or the scotch fillet steak, depending on where you go.
Higher quality steaks — for example, porterhouse or ribeye, are naturally more tender and don't typically need one. But no matter what type of steak you start with, cooking it until it reaches the right temperature then letting it rest for five to eight minutes is the best way to avoid a chewy steak.
Using a meat mallet (or kitchen mallet) to pound steaks helps soften and tenderize the meat. Simply place the meat in between pieces of plastic wrap or wax paper and pound it prior to cooking. If you don't have a meat mallet, you can also use a heavy kitchen tool such as a skillet, saucepan or rolling pin.
The Flat Iron steak comes from the chuck subprimal of the animal, and is the second most tender cut after the tenderloin. It's often considered to be an ultra-tender alternative to the ribeye.
The ribeye steak is perhaps the finest of all steaks due to its combination of luxurious tenderness and big, beefy flavor. Whether you opt for the boneless or bone-in version, ribeye steaks are ideal candidates for the grill.
Shank. Shank is arguably the toughest, cheapest cut of beef. Located in front of the brisket at the cow's forearm, this beef cut is notable for its sinewy dryness. Due to its lack of popularity, shank is not typically found in retail stores.
Muscles also toughen with age, so a younger animal yields more tender meat. Additionally, overcooking meat, even meat that comes from the more tender muscles, can make it tough. That's because heat causes the proteins in the meat to firm up.
The most tender cut of beef is the beef tenderloin and it is found within the loin. This is where we get filet mignon, which is made from the very tip of the pointy end of the tenderloin. Chateaubriand is made from the center cut of the tenderloin. The tenderloin extends from the short loin into the sirloin.
You'll usually see ribeye, filet mignon, and T-bone or porterhouse steaks listed as the top three most popular in a steak cuts guide. These steaks are commonly on the menu in steakhouses because of their quality and texture.
Due to its composition, the porterhouse cut of steak is a tender cut of meat, best when served medium rare, which gives it a buttery flavor.
Medium (or Medium-Rare) Meat
That means your steak or burger will be tender but well-cooked and provide just enough flavor. High-quality meat will be tasty at this temperature and tender enough to chew easily. The center of the meat will display a light pink color with charred brown outsides.
Tenderloin (eye fillet)
Tenderloin (or eye fillet) has very little intramuscular fat, and is the tenderest muscle in the animal, which makes it typically very sought-after. Recommended cooking method: Grill as a steak, and great as steak tartare.
As far as taste and texture, top sirloin has a reputation for being tough and chewy. But that's often down to errors in prep and cooking. Because top sirloin is comparatively lean and tends to be sold as a thicker cut, it needs a little extra TLC.
As a result, although the rump steak is widely considered to be one of the most flavoursome due to its significant marbling (intermuscular fat), you'll find that it's marginally more chewy than the comparable Sirloin or Rib-eye Steak.
“Prepared from a Cube Roll, the Scotch Fillet is regarded by many as the most flavoursome steak cut. This is due to the middle seam of fat marbling which significantly enhances the flavour and texture of the meat during cooking.
The scotch fillet and sirloin (aka porterhouse), coming from the region near the backbone, fit the bill here perfectly. Even more tender is the eye fillet (or tenderloin). The rump, from the inside of the leg, is more active, but while it might not be quite as tender, it is often well priced.
Fillet steak a.k.a. eye fillet or tenderloin
Famously tender, the fillet is arguably the most desirable of steaks. It's supremely lean with a mild and subtle flavour.