How do you like your meat? Rare, medium-rare, or perfectly juicy that it drools from your mouth? But for that, you need to be certain of the fact which cut will give you your desired texture and flavor. Do you have your bets on center cut sirloin? Perfect! Because this cut is hailed to be a perfect choice for meat enthusiasts who prefer juicy, tender, and delicious meat. 

It comes from the primal sirloin section of cow and has zero to no bone, cartilage, and muscle, making it one hell of a piece for steaks. You can grill, pan-sear, or even cut into chunks to make kabobs or add to sandwiches and soups. It’s comparatively preferred among ribeye, filet mignon, and New York stripes due to its flavorful profile.

In this guide, we will discuss its details, its characteristics, comparison with other cuts, cooking methods, and the tips to know beforehand.  

What Is Center Cut Sirloin?

I know this cut tastes yummy, but do you know where it’s taken from? A center cut sirloin is a portion of beef cut from a sirloin primal cut. It has two cuts top sirloin and bottom sirloin, both are sandwiched between the primal cuts where the top is located behind the short loin primal (i.e., behind the ribs) and in front of the round primal cut (i., rump), whereas, the bottom sirloin is right beneath the top sirloin 

Chefs gush over the top center cut sirloin because it has the perfect balance of flavor and tenderness, is widely used in several recipes, and can be prepared by versatile cooking methods.

On the other hand, bottom-center cut sirloin is way tougher with a lot of fat. It’s mostly used in beef chunks and in stewing or braising. 

Top Center Cut Sirloin Variations 

Various types are used to make steak and have distinguishing properties: 

• Top Sirloin Butt, Boneless: This is the whole cut with no bone, cartilage, sacrosciatic ligament, or tenderloin.

• Top Sirloin Butt Steak, Boneless: This Boneless steak cut is from the top sirloin and is parallel to that of the backbone, which accommodates, particularly, portion-sized steaks.

• Top Sirloin Butt Steak, Center Cut: These cuts are exactly like boneless butt steaks but are taken from the gluteus medius muscle.  

Should You Choose Bottom Center Cut Sirloin? 

It’s not a nasty cut by any standard but it’s not the one particularly recommended over top center cut sirloin. If it’s from the bottom, the cut will be pretty large; several steaks can be made of it. The meat flavor is good but it comes with a beefy taste. The muscle is quite tender but relatively less than prime rib or filet mignon.

You can rub it up with spices or even marinade it in the mixture for the flavors to infuse well. Not just for steak, this cut goes well into sandwiches, soups, or even kabobs. 

Characteristics of Center Cut Sirloin

Certain properties of center-cut sirloin make it distinguished from other meat cuts and make it a good choice for cooks. The key characteristics include: 

Flavor

Do you prefer a rich meaty flavor? This cut will be a dream for steak lovers due to its rich and intense beefy taste.

Tenderness 

Although it wouldn’t be as tender as the short loin like porterhouse or filet mignon is, this cut is way too tender when cooked properly.

Customization

This cut can be made up in multiple ways. You can roast it, pan-sear, grill, and even broil it, making it a perfect choice for both the regular cooks and the professional chefs.

Comparison To Other Beef Cuts

Does it stack up against others? It surely does; when it’s compared with other beef cuts, it surpasses all due to its unique, robust flavor and tenderness. Some other well-known cuts that are a good match for sirloin are: 

• Filet Mignon: Tenderness is there, and the price skyrockets when you buy it but remember the flavor will be missing in this cut.

• Ribeye: This is a popular steak cut and priced due to its intense flavor and marbling effect, but the center cut sirloin is way leaner and gives a great and rich beefy taste.

• New York Strip: It’s exactly that of center cut top sirloin in terms of flavor and tenderness, but this cut has more tenderness, which might not be a preferred choice for many consumers who like rare. 

How To Cook Center Cut Sirloin? 

The sirloin cut offers you versatility in how you can cook this beef cut. With each cooking method, the flavor gets enhanced, and the overall appeal of the cut becomes significant. 

• Grilling: If you heat the sirloin cut to grilling temperature,  it will get a flavorful crust, but the interior will be tender and juicy all the same, making it a perfect meal. 

• Pan-searing: If you sear this steak in a hot pan and then put it into the oven for a final touch, this method will make the outer layer caramelized, while from the inside, it will be cooked to an inch.

• Marinades & Rubs: The prep could be done even before cooking. Rub some favorite spaces over the clean-cut, or you can make a marinate mixture and soak your cut into that so that the mixture seeps well. Even the basic herbs, garlic, and olive oil make a great marinade and enhance the overall flavor profile. 

Consideration Before Buying & Eating Center Cut Sirloin

• Want your meat to be tender? Go for smaller center cut sirloin steaks. 
• Try to avoid eating the first slice of porterhouse and sirloin steaks as there’s a bone at the top part of the loin and on the lower side, it is connected to too many tendons, and the texture won’t be quite appealing.
• I prefer the meat cut closer to the short loin end, as it’s more tender with better texture and flavor. 
• The larger cut is mostly cut closer to the rump, so they can be comparatively tough. If you are into that, go for it; otherwise, avoid it.
• You must avoid eating cuts called to be, butt, ball-tip, or tri-tip unless it’s the top butt. 

Bottom-line 

Center-cut sirloin is a perfect option for those who are inclined towards juicy, flavorful, and tender meat. Unless it is cut closer to the rump, the meat won’t be tough and chewy. Despite the cooking method, whether you pan-sear it with your desired seasonings, grill it, or even roast it makes it a hearty meal, satisfying one’s taste buds.

So the next time you are buying it from the butcher shop or the mart, choose a center-cut top sirloin, as it will make a great dining experience.

Share which cut you like the most. Or how you like your meat to be cooked? 

FAQs on Center Cut Sirloin