Anyone with a history of loving beef knows there’s more than one kind of steak cut. Grill masters all have their favorite cuts to cook, and steak enjoyers all have their favorite cuts to eat. One steak cut that isn't often talked about is the unique and delicious tomahawk steak.
Tomahawk steaks are a distinct cut of meat, in both taste and appearance. In this blog, we’ll go over what exactly a tomahawk steak is, what makes it different from other cuts, and how you can prepare your tomahawk steak to perfection.
What is a Tomahawk Steak?
A tomahawk steak is a ribeye steak that is specially cut to have at least five inches of the rib bone intact. The bone can be french trimmed, meaning it is trimmed of meat and fat until the bone looks like a handle. Altogether, this makes the steak look like a tomahawk, or Native American ax. This method of cutting and trimming gives the tomahawk steak its unique look, and its unique taste.
The tomahawk steak is cut from the loin of the cow, where the muscles are not used as much. Because of this, the meat from this portion of the cow is very tender. This makes tomahawk steaks very marbled and bursting with flavor.
How is it Different From Other Steaks?
Tomahawk steaks are incredibly similar to other cuts of steak, but have key differences that make them stand out. First off, while tomahawk steaks and ribeye steaks are very close in terms of flavor, their biggest difference is in their appearance. Ribeye steaks do not have the long, frenched bone that tomahawk steaks do. This actually has more effects on the steak than just how it looks.
Tomahawk steaks take longer to cook than ribeye steaks due to the bone acting as an insulator. This results in a slower cook for the tomahawk, and a juicier steak compared to regular ribeyes. Additionally, the bone allows the steak to keep its shape during the cooking process.
Tomahawk steaks are incredibly similar to cowboy steaks, as they are both ribeye steaks with frenched bones. The only difference between them is the length of the bone. If it is longer than five inches, then it is a tomahawk steak, and if it is shorter than five inches, then it is a cowboy steak.
How to Cook a Tomahawk Steak
How to Cook a Tomahawk Steak
When cooking a tomahawk steak, you might feel intimidated because of the size and shape. However, when you follow proper instructions, cooking a tomahawk steak is an easy process with a delicious result.
First, you will need to completely thaw your steak. Do this by letting it sit in the refrigerator for about 48-72 hours. To avoid a charred bone while cooking, wrap it in foil. After that, you have options on how you want to prepare your steak.
Oven Roast:
Remove your tomahawk steak from vacuum packaging
Pat dry and season both sides of the steak
Allow steak to set at room temperature for 1 hour
Preheat oven to 250°F
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium high heat in a large skillet
When oil is hot, add steak to the pan
Sear on both sides until well browned or 2-3 minutes per side
Place the steak on an elevated rack in a roasting pan
Roast for approximately 45 minutes for rare, 45-50 minutes for medium rare and 50-55 minutes for medium
Verify internal temp using a kitchen thermometer
Allow 10-15 minutes resting time before serving
Indirect Grilling
This is a technique used when the food being cooked is so large and thick, it might burn if placed on a grill. Indirect grilling cooks the food by placing it next to the heat source instead of directly on top of it.
Remove tomahawk steak from vacuum packaging
Pat dry and season both sides of the steak
Allow steak to set at room temperature for 1 hour
Preheat the grill, but only light one burner
For grills with three or more burners, light a burner on the side of the grill, not in the middle
Allow the internal grill temperature to reach 225 degrees
Place your steak as far from the direct heat as possible and close the lid
Indirectly grill tomahawk steak for approximately 45 minutes flipping every 10 minutes until internal temperature is 125 degrees
Once your steak has reached the desired internal temperature, turn two burners on the grill to high
Place steak directly over the hot burner, using direct heat for the sear
Flip every 30 seconds for 3-5 minutes or until desired level of browned crust develops.
Remove from heat and let stand for 10-15 minutes before serving
Conclusion
Tomahawk steaks are a unique and flavorful cut of meat. They aren’t often seen or enjoyed by most people, but the people that have recognized them as a fantastic option. Whenever you have the chance to do so, take the time to enjoy a tomahawk steak.
Braveheart Foods has a variety of high quality meats, including steak cuts, available for purchase. Get in contact with us today for ordering information.