Lesson Description & Goals

One of the main reasons why high-end steak houses serve incredible steaks is because they know how to identify premium cuts of beef.

Before the cooking even starts, the first step in duplicating that restaurant-quality steak at home is to understand what you are buying and what to look for in a premium cut. Because there are so many different steaks available, identifying a quality cut can be an overwhelming experience; however, the good news is once you learn some very basic knowledge, it will be extremely easy to go to the market and spot a quality steak.

In this lesson, you will learn how to identify the most popular premium cuts of steak that are on the market. You will also learn about the importance of marbling…and how the type of aging impacts both the quality and cost of meat. You will also learn a few tips for how to choose the most appropriate steak to suit the type of meal you are making. Although many delicious steaks come from various parts of the steer, in this lesson, we are going to focus on the premium cuts of beef.

By learning how to choose premium steaks, not only will you be spending your money wisely but you will be well on your way to creating delicious, restaurant-quality steaks at home.

• Identify the types of premium beef cuts for steak
• Identify where premium steaks come from on the steer
• Identify the key factors to look for when choosing a steak
• Understand the importance of marbling in steaks
• Describe aging and its importance in producing quality steaks
• Select the right steak for the right occasion

Lesson Topic Videos

• Introduction to Premium Steaks (1:15)
• What are Premium Steaks? (3:21)
• Determining Quality of Steaks (2:06)
• Why Butchers Age Beef (2:07)
• Choosing Premium Cuts of Steak (1:37)

All Lessons in the Meat Section

• Beef | Premium Cuts of Steak
• Prepping Premium Steaks for Cooking
• How to Cook Premium Steaks
• How to Roast Prime Rib