Lean Beef Cuts: The Ultimate Guide

Evelyn

You don’t have to pick between nutrition and flavor. These lean beef cuts taste great and are full of 10 essential nutrients, so they fit right into a healthy diet.

Here are some of the best lean beef cuts. We’ll explain what makes each one unique, share their nutrition facts, and suggest the best ways to cook them so they turn out tender and juicy.

Tri-Tip Roast

The boneless Tri-Tip Roast has a rich flavor and a tender texture, making it a versatile choice. It’s great roasted or grilled. For best results, slice it against the grain after cooking.

Protein: 22g
Calories: 150
Best Cooking Methods: Grilling, Oven Roasting, Indirect Grilling, Broiling, Smoking, Sous Vide

Strip Steak (Boneless)

This cut is a favorite because it’s tender, lean, and perfect for the grill. Just season with salt and pepper to bring out its best flavor.

Protein: 25g
Calories: 160
Best Cooking Methods: Grilling, Skillet Cooking, Skillet to Oven, Broiling, Sous Vide

Flank Steak

If you’re after intense beefy flavor, Flank Steak is your go-to. This lean, boneless cut benefits from a good marinade before being grilled. It’s also fantastic when sliced thin for stir-fries.

Protein: 23g
Calories: 160
Best Cooking Methods: Grilling, Stir-Fry, Broiling, Smoking, Sous Vide

Chateaubriand Tenderloin Roast

The Chateaubriand is known as the most tender beef roast. It’s lean, juicy, and has a fine texture that’s easy to carve, making it a great choice for a special meal.

Protein: 23g
Calories: 150
Best Cooking Methods: Grilling, Oven Roasting, Broiling, Sous Vide

Top Round Steak

A thick, versatile cut that’s perfect for a weekday meal. Top Round Steak is typically broiled or slow-cooked to bring out its best flavor and tenderness.

Protein: 25g
Calories: 140
Best Cooking Methods: Grilling, Skillet Cooking, Stir-Fry, Braising, Broiling

Sirloin Tip Side Roast

This very lean cut is an excellent value, making it a great choice for a roast any night of the week. Slow-cooking or roasting helps to tenderize the meat beautifully.

Best Cooking Methods: Oven Roasting, Braising

Chuck Tender Roast

Don’t be fooled by the name—this lean roast comes from the chuck (shoulder) and requires slow-cooking methods like braising to become truly tender and flavorful.

Protein: 28g
Calories: 160
Best Cooking Methods: Braising, Pressure Cooking

Top Sirloin Filet

This cut comes from the larger Top Sirloin Steak and is both tender and thick. Season it with salt, pepper, or your favorite rub before grilling.

Protein: 26g
Calories: 140
Best Cooking Methods: Grilling, Skillet Cooking, Skillet to Oven, Broiling

Brisket Flat Half

Also called the “first cut,” this is the leaner half of the whole Brisket. It’s full of flavor and tastes great sliced after roasting or shredded for sandwiches.

Protein: 28g
Calories: 170
Best Cooking Methods: Oven Roasting, Braising, Pressure Cooking, Smoking, Sous Vide

Eye of Round Roast

This lean, flavorful cut is often used for deli roast beef. You can roast or slow-cook it at home for a tasty and budget-friendly meal.

Protein: 25g
Calories: 140
Best Cooking Methods: Oven Roasting, Braising

Strip Roast

A larger roast version of the classic Strip Steak, this cut is perfect for oven roasting and serves as an impressive centerpiece for any meal.

Best Cooking Methods: Oven Roasting

Strip Petite Roast

A smaller, more manageable version of the Strip Roast. It delivers the same great flavor and is ideal for smaller families or gatherings.

Protein: 24g
Calories: 160
Best Cooking Methods: Oven Roasting, Indirect Grilling

Eye of Round Steak

A lean and economical steak cut from the Eye of Round Roast. It’s best when cooked quickly using methods like grilling or broiling.

Protein: 25g
Calories: 130
Best Cooking Methods: Grilling, Skillet Cooking, Stir-Fry, Broiling

Sirloin Tip Center Steak

A lean and flavorful steak that offers great value. It’s versatile enough for grilling, pan-searing, or even braising for extra tenderness.

Protein: 23g
Calories: 150
Best Cooking Methods: Grilling, Skillet Cooking, Braising, Broiling

Strip Filet

This thick, tender, boneless steak comes from the strip loin. It’s similar to a Strip Steak but often served as a filet, and it’s perfect for high-heat cooking.

Protein: 25g
Calories: 160
Best Cooking Methods: Grilling, Skillet Cooking, Skillet to Oven, Broiling

Shoulder Clod Heart

This lean, affordable cut comes from the shoulder. It needs slow-cooking, like braising, to break down the connective tissue and become tender.

Best Cooking Methods: Braising, Pressure Cooking

Tri-Tip Steak

This steak is cut from the Tri-Tip Roast. It’s boneless, flavorful, and fairly lean, making it great for grilling, pan-searing, or slicing for stir-fries.

Protein: 25g
Calories: 220
Best Cooking Methods: Grilling, Skillet Cooking, Stir-Fry, Broiling

Shoulder Petite Tender

This cut is almost as tender as the Tenderloin. It’s lean, flavorful, and cooks quickly, so it’s a good alternative to pricier cuts.

Protein: 22g
Calories: 150
Best Cooking Methods: Grilling, Oven Roasting, Skillet to Oven, Indirect Grilling, Broiling, Smoking, Sous Vide

Coulotte Steak

Also called the Top Sirloin Cap, this steak is juicy and tender, with a fat cap that bastes the meat as it cooks. It’s a favorite for grilling and roasting.

Best Cooking Methods: Grilling, Skillet Cooking, Skillet to Oven, Broiling

Sirloin Tip Center Roast

This lean, budget-friendly roast comes from the sirloin tip. Roast or braise it for a tender, flavorful meal.

Best Cooking Methods: Oven Roasting, Braising

Chuck Tender Steak

This steak comes from the Chuck Tender Roast. It’s lean but needs some help to get tender, so try braising or grilling it after marinating.

Protein: 28g
Calories: 160
Best Cooking Methods: Grilling, Braising, Broiling

Tenderloin Steak (Filet Mignon)

This is the most tender steak you can get. It’s lean, buttery, and has a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Cook it quickly over high heat for best results.

Protein: 26g
Calories: 170
Best Cooking Methods: Grilling, Skillet Cooking, Skillet to Oven, Broiling, Sous Vide

Top Round Roast

This classic, budget-friendly roast is lean and full of flavor. Roast it low and slow or braise it, and you’ll have great roast beef slices.

Protein: 25g
Calories: 140
Best Cooking Methods: Oven Roasting, Braising, Sous Vide

Sirloin Tip Roast

This is another lean, flavorful roast that’s a great value. Slow-cook it by roasting or braising for a tender, tasty meal that’s perfect for family dinners.

Protein: 23g
Calories: 150
Best Cooking Methods: Oven Roasting, Braising

Shank Cross-Cut

This cut from the leg is tough but very flavorful. It’s the key to dishes like Osso Buco and needs long, slow braising to get fall-off-the-bone tender.

Protein: 28g
Calories: 170
Best Cooking Methods: Braising