Are you a true beef connoisseur? Then you simply must try the elusive Vegas Strip Steak. This cut of meat is a true rarity, but the flavor and tenderness it brings to the table make it worth the hunt.
What is the Vegas Steak?
The vegas strip steak, also known simply as the vegas steak, is a delicious cut of beef that weighs in at around 8 ounces – a decent sized serving for one person. Its shape is similar to a flat iron or flank steak, just smaller.
This cut is found in the front of the shoulder blade, next to the petite tender (or teres major) – another elusive and tender steak. In the image below you can see a vegas steak on top and the petite tender below.
Despite being a shoulder cut, it’s known for its incredible tenderness.
Another name that was considered for this steak was the pearl steak, because it’s considered a hidden gem.
Can You Patent a Steak?
Did you know that it almost got a patent? Well, at least someone tried to get a patent.
That’s right, the Oklahoma State University recognized the vegas strip steak’s unique qualities and attempted to patent it. Although it wasn’t the steak itself that they tried to patent…but the knife cuts required to remove the steak. They took this direction because you can’t patent something that is naturally occurring, like a steak.
“Given the history of the beef industry, the discovery of a new beef steak that has never before been fabricated and marketed could appear to be an impossibility,” said Jacob Nelson, Food & Agricultural Products Center value-added meat processing specialist. “The Vegas Strip Steak is the latest and perhaps last steak to be found on the beef carcass.”
The university worked hard to bring this steak to the forefront and it took center stage at the Protein Innovation Summit in Chicago in April 2012.
The patent of course never went through – there are only so many ways to remove cuts of beef from the carcass.
Nevertheless, the work done by Oklahoma State University highlighted the potential of this steak.
While the vegas strip steak may seem like a new and innovative cut of beef, it’s important to note that it has been around for quite some time. In fact, the vegas steak (known as subscapularis) was highlighted in the research done by the University of Nebraska in 2007. This steak came out as the 6th most tender cut of beef along with these other steaks.
Since then, the vegas strip steak has gained popularity among chefs and food enthusiasts alike. However, it’s interesting to note that it’s still a relatively rare cut of beef, and is most often still ground up for use in ground beef. This is likely due to the lack of knowledge and skill required to retrieve this cut.
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How Many People Does a Vegas Steak Feed?
Since this is a small steak, about the same weight as a hearty beef patty, it’s best to serve one steak per person. That being said, this steak is incredibly difficult to find. And even more difficult if you tried to serve it for a dinner party. Therefore you could serve one vegas steak to multiple guests as a tasting size along with other popular steaks like ribeye or striploin.
How to Cook Vegas Strip Steak
There are no special secrets to cooking this steak. Since it is a tender cut, you want to cook it fast and hot. Similar to cooking a filet mignon, flat iron, denver steak, ribeye, new york striploin or wing steak.
As with any steak – don’t overcook this steak. Overcooked beef will be tough and you want to embrace this steaks natural tenderness.
Remove the steak from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This will help the steak cook more evenly. Season the steak with salt and pepper, or your favorite steak seasoning blend.
Next, preheat your grill or skillet to medium-high heat. If using a grill, brush the grates with oil to prevent sticking. Place the steak on the grill or skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until a nice crust forms on the outside and the internal temperature reaches 130°F for medium-rare.
Once the steak is done, remove it from the heat and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a more tender and flavorful steak.
You can top this steak with a flavoured compound butter or chimichurri.
How to Slice Vegas Strip Steak
The grains of the vegas strip steak run lengthwise along the steak. Since you always want to cut against the grain, slice this steak width-wise so that your cuts are perpendicular to the grains.
So there you have it, folks – the vegas strip steak. A rare and flavorful cut of beef that’s sure to impress even the most discerning meat lover!
