• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Tastylicious
  • Subscribe
  • Recipes
  • Health
  • Cooking
  • Reviews
  • Food
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Subscribe
  • Recipes
  • Health
  • Cooking
  • Reviews
  • Food
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Subscribe
  • Recipes
  • Health
  • Cooking
  • Reviews
  • Food
×
Home » Ingredients » Meat

Comparing New York Strip vs. Sirloin

sidebar photo circleWritten by Romana Levko · Updated on September 28, 2022

Everyone has their own favorite cut of steak, and whether you're going for tenderness or flavor, the choice is up to you. However, there are two cuts that find their way to steakhouse plates more often than the rest. New York strip and sirloin may be the two most common cuts of beef around, though not everyone knows the difference between them.

new york strip versus sirloin

The main difference between New York strip and sirloin is the location on the cow where each is cut from. The New York strip comes from the primal cut, whereas the sirloin comes from the round cut. To learn more about how each of these cuts affects flavor and texture, read on below.

Table of Contents
  • New York Strip
  • Sirloin
  • How to Cook Steak at Home

New York Strip

raw new york strip beef

The New York strip is cut from the muscle on the back of the steer, from an area called the short loin prime stock subprimal. This area also includes other cuts like the tenderloin and strip loin. See exactly what makes it unique here.

Texture

New York strip steaks have a fine grain and are relatively tender. When compared to sirloin steak, they are more tender and a bit less chewy. When compared to other cuts, many butchers describe the New York strip as having a "tight" texture.

Flavor

The New York strip is one steak that is known for its flavor. It has a pronounced flavor that isn't dulled by excess fat. While it may not have as much character as sirloin, it has more overall flavor, and it is preferred by many butchers.

Marbling 

One of the things that makes the New York Strip so popular is that it is well-marbled. While it is overall quite lean, it has less fat than most other cuts and lacks any large pockets of fat. This makes it easy to trim before cooking.

In addition to the marbling, the New York strip also has a thick strip of fat along the top, which helps enhance its flavor. Make sure not to trim all of it off before cooking!

Affordability

Since it's so popular, it shouldn't be surprising that the New York strip is one of the most expensive steaks around. On average, you can expect to pay about $15 per pound for it.

Cooking

Because of its leanness, care needs to be taken when cooking New York strip to avoid drying it out. But with the right caution, it can be a good steak for the grill, pan, or oven. In fact, the New York strip steak may be one of the most versatile options around.

Sirloin

raw sirloin beef

While the New York strip may be favored among many chefs and diners, the sirloin still holds a special place in restaurants across the world. It comes from the sirloin primal cut, right at the top of the cow, making it tender and well-marbled. Learn more about how it differs from the New York Strip here.

Texture

Sirloin is a bit less tender than New York strip, though it is still perfectly fine to eat without marinades for tenderizing. In fact, some diners even prefer the extra bit of chew it offers.

Flavor

While the New York Strip has a stronger beef flavor, the sirloin has a more unique taste. Overall, it's more earthy with deep, rich notes.

Marbling 

Of the two, sirloin has more fat throughout, though still not as much as a cut like a ribeye. This affects the flavor, giving it a milder taste compared to many other cuts of beef.

Affordability

If you're looking for a premium cut of meat while still staying within your budget, sirloin is an excellent choice. It's around ⅔ the price of a New York strip while still offering much of the delicious flavor, nice marbling, and tenderness.

Cooking

Since sirloin has a bit more fat, there is less danger of it drying out, which makes it a safer choice for those with less experience on the grill. But it is also about as versatile as the strip and works well when pan seared or cooked in the oven.

How to Cook Steak at Home

flame broiled sirloin steak

While both of these cuts of steak have their own unique character, you can use a similar technique to cook them each to perfection. Just make sure to pay attention to your cook time to avoid drying them out.

1. Prepare Your Steaks.

Before cooking your steaks, you want to allow them to come to room temperature. Once they do, unwrap them and pat them dry with a kitchen towel. Both of these steps will help ensure you get the best possible sear on the meat and, therefore, the best flavor.

When they are ready for the pan, rub them with coarse salt and pepper. Don't be afraid about putting in too much, as the excess will fall off in the pan.

2. Heat the Pan.

When your steaks are ready, heat a cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Cast iron is ideal here as it holds heat the best and ensures an even heat distribution. It should be fully heated after five minutes, and you can add a few tablespoons of cooking oil.

3. Cook and Flip.

Once your oil is fully heated, cook your steaks for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Make sure not to disturb them as they cook, as this will ruin the sear that is forming. After flipping them, put a few tablespoons of butter in the pan and baste.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

sidebar photo circle

My name is Romana, and I'm a happy wife, stay-at-home mom, self-taught cook, writer, photographer, meal prep master, keto enthusiast, and the creator of all these delicious recipes. I'll guide you through the basics of living the low-carb, high-fat life with EASY, healthy, and flavorful recipes.

More about us →

More Posts

  • Battle of Steak Cuts: Flank Steak Vs. SirloinBattle of Steak Cuts: Flank Steak Vs. Sirloin
  • 13 Best Flank Steak Substitutes for Cooking13 Best Flank Steak Substitutes for Cooking
  • Battle of Steak Cuts: Flat Iron Steak Vs. Flank SteakBattle of Steak Cuts: Flat Iron Steak Vs. Flank Steak
  • The 20 Best Stovetop Grill Pans in 2025The 20 Best Stovetop Grill Pans in 2025

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025