New York Strip Vs Ribeye: Which Is Better? [Find Out Here]       

New York strip and Ribeye are two very common steaks you can find in grocery stores today. Sometimes they can be confusing because they both come from the same animal. Which one is better?

New York strip vs Ribeye have notable differences, from the flavor to the source. Ribeye steak is cut with a perfect amount of marbling and turns out to be very juicy, tender, and flavorful when cooked properly. On the other hand, the New York strip is chewy and leaner than the Ribeye steak. Ribeye is cut from the short loin, which exercises less. So your choice here depends on your taste and preference.

There is more to know about New York strip vs Ribeye. This article lists every detail you should understand before deciding which one to buy. Stick around for finer details.

What is Ribeye steak?

Ribeye steak is cut from the cow’s seventh to eleventh rib muscles. The cut has a high amount of fat marbling, significantly enhancing beef flavor, moisture, and richness. Its primary source is the muscles running along a cow’s front end, which means the meat can be tender when you cook it to medium rare.

One ribeye steak cut contains three muscles separated by a layer of fat. The muscles are: longissimus dorsi muscles, complexus, and spinalis muscles. Although it is believed that meat cuts from muscles are lean and tough, these muscles are unique because they rarely get involved in exercises. Therefore, they have enough amounts of fat and fewer connective tissues. This is what makes Ribeye juicy and full of beef flavor.

Ribeye steak has different names in various regions depending on its cut. A ribeye steak with a bone is known as a cowboy cut steak, Delmonico steak, beauty steak, or a market steak in different steakhouses. When it is a traditional steak that has no bones, it earns a different set of names, such as Spencer steak or Scotch fillet.

Also Read: Filet Mignon Vs Ribeye: (Differences Explained)

What is New York strip?

The New York strip comes from the short loin of a cow. It is boneless and cut from the upper loin of a cow. This is where the sirloin and tenderloin are located. The NY strip has only a single muscle known as the longissimus dorsi. However, this steak is chewy and has a meaty flavor when smoked or cooked because it comes from the area with the highest muscle. The meat has less fat on one side of the steak.

NY strips are always thicker than ribeye steak, so the lean meat doesn’t dry out fast while cooking. When this strip is cut with a bone, it is called Kansas City Steak, and when it is cut with an attached bone and tenderloin, it is known as T-bone steak or porterhouse steak. While the New York strip has many different names, here are some of the common names: ambassador steak, veiny steak, strip loin steak, Omaha strip, shell steak, hotel-style steak, boneless club steak, and top loin steak.

Difference Between NY Strip and Ribeye              

Now that you understand what New York strip and Ribeye steaks are, you need to understand the differences between the two steaks. The following are the most common differences that can help you distinguish one from the other.

Marbling and Fat Content

The first difference between the two is the marbling and fat content. The New York strip contains minimal marbling compared to Ribeye, making it leaner and the healthier steak between the two. As mentioned earlier, Ribeye is cut from the rib section, thus giving it a rich flavor. Furthermore, Ribeye has more internal fat responsible for its marbling. New York strip only has a thin layer of fat on one side, which is unsuitable for consumption. 

What causes the fat and marbling difference? The New York strip comes from a cow’s short loin that a cow tends to use more than the upper rib, which is where the Ribeye comes from.

Tenderness

Ribeye and New York strips are somehow considered to have a tender texture compared to flank and skirt steaks. Ribeye steak is tenderer than the New York Strip. New York strip tends to be chewy because it has less marbling than Ribeye, which is why you will realize that it is chewy no matter how much you cook it. If you ask any steak lover, they will tell you how buttery, smooth, and tender the ribeye steak is compared to the New York strip.

Flavor

Regarding beef steak, fats or marbling contribute a lot to how the steak tastes. Ribeye steak has high-fat content with a lot of marbling, thus giving it a rich deep beef flavor when cooked. Also, this gives it a tender texture, which is why you will hear people say that it melts in your mouth, leaving you to feel the deep beef flavor. 

On the other hand, New York strips contain fewer internal fats, making them tough and chewy. Despite this, it still has a beefier but less fatty taste.

Price

Another thing to help you differentiate a ribeye steak from a New York strip is the initial cost. Although prices tend to vary based on location, butcher ribeye steak is still considered more expensive than the New York strip. Ribeye is expensive because it is considered to be more tender, thus taking less time to cook, and has a rich beef flavor. However, it is necessary to remember that the price you find in a butcher shop differs from what restaurants offer. The latter will always be more than the butcher shop for Ribeye and New York strip.

Cut Type

Ribeye and New York strip are cut from a cow’s longissimus muscles, but the ribeye steak comes from the upper rib cage, and the New York strip is from the short loin. This also explains why one is tenderer than the other and their marbling content.

Cooking/grilling

New York and Ribeye steaks taste great when cooked on wood pellets or gas grills. However, there are many other ways you can prepare these steaks. One of their best ways is grilling on a gas or charcoal grill. New York strip is always the easiest to cook because it has less marbling. Ribeye is challenging because the fat is likely to lead to flares.

Which is a Better Cut of Beef Ribeye vs New York strip       

Deciding which is better between Ribeye vs New York strip depends entirely on you. After understanding the differences and features of the two, you can decide quickly. For instance, if you love your steak tender, buttery, juicy, and flavorful, you should go for Ribeye because it gives you all these in one bite. 

On the other hand, if you are looking for a leaner, chewy, and beefy steak, you should buy and cook the New York strip. It entirely depends on taste and preference.

Conclusion

Ribeye and New York strip are both great steaks for grilling. They have almost the same cooking style and give you excellent beef flavor, but you must cook ribeye steak in the low and slow technique to prevent it from overcooking. While for the New York strip, you should be careful not to undercook it. It is already chewy, so you would not want to undercook it.