It is said that King Henry VIII was so fond of this particular steak cut from the loins of beef, that he termed it as 'Sir Loin', which became notoriously famous as the sirloin steak. The sirloin steak is cut from the lower portion of the ribs, which continues onwards to the rump and the tenderloin. The muscles of this region are a bit exercised and hence, the sirloin steak is a tad bit tougher than the other premium steak, the filet mignon. In fact, the sirloin steak is the cheapest of the premium cuts of steak.

Sirloin steaks are always cut with a bit of the bone attached to it. This bone adds flavor to the steak. Based on the region of the bone which is cut with the sirloin steak, they may be pin-bone or hip-bone, flat-bone, round-bone and wedge-bone sirloin steaks. The wedge-bone sirloin steaks are closest to the rump and they are the least tender.

There is variation in the size of the bone and the steak. Sirloin steaks are also sold without the bone. Boneless sirloin steaks are called as rump steaks or butt steaks.

Normal sirloin steaks are 2.5 to 3.5 inches in diameter and 1 inch in thickness.Even depending on the region of the loin from where the steak is cut, there may be different type of sirloins. Sirloin steaks may be top sirloin and bottom sirloin. Bottom sirloin is less tender and it is what is commonly available in stores.

The bottom sirloin connects to the top sirloin butt roast, which is a tough sirloin steak and better eaten roasted.Sirloin steaks are generally cooked by dry-heating methods such as grilling, sautéing or broiling after trimming the excess fat. Sirloin steaks are considered to be the most popular barbeque items and grilling maintains all their natural flavors. Top butt roast steaks are also good for roasting. However care must be taken while cooking them as over-cooking will kill the nutritional value and the palatability of the steak.

Ideally, sirloin steaks must be cooked to no more than medium rare.A sirloin steak weighing about 3 ounces will have 219.3 calories, including 27% of protein and 15% fat.

Sirloin steaks contain no carbohydrates and fibers.Sirloin steaks provide big cuts and they are the cheapest of the premium steaks. For this reason, they are the most favored variety of steak for family get-togethers and backyard barbeques.

By: Max Bellamy