What Is Delmonico Steak?

what is delmonico steak

Ahh, Delmonico steak, a favorite in many fine restaurants around the world. But what is Delmonico steak? Is it a type of cut or a style of cooking? Well, it’s actually both!

In this post, we go through almost everything you need to know about this beautiful cut of steak.

Delmonico steak is a beef cut, but there are actually several different cuts that can be considered Delmonico Steak.

The reason behind this is because the exact cut wasn’t given an official name until around 145 years after it was first used. Even then it was called “Beef à la Mode.”

It was only in 1938 that the cut of beef was officially named after the Delmonico’s restaurant, where it had gained popularity among high-end diners.

Let’s take a closer look…

What Exactly Is Delmonico Steak?

Delmonico steak is named after the famous New York restaurant with the same name.

When the cut of beef was first used, it was considered a lower-end steak because it came from an area that wasn’t known for its quality beef (it was originally called Beef à la Mode when it first appeared in print).

Even though they weren’t known for their high-class cuts, the Delmonico family made it a point to include an assortment of steaks on their menu.

This is one of the reasons why they became so popular among high-class diners.

The cut was also described in newspapers and cookbooks around the time it first appeared, but no one seemed to have agreed upon what it actually looked like.

It was so well-liked that it became a standard cut, and as people began to develop their own version of the steak they also started calling it by different names.

By 1834, there were several chefs who had prepared the cut in various ways and used various names for it. Some people called it the “Delmonico steak” while others called it the ” filet mignon,” the name that is still used to this day.

So what is Delmonico steak today? Well, the most common cut of meat for this style is a boneless top loin. However, if you ask different people what Delmonico steak is, you’ll likely get a different answer.

Some say it’s only the boneless top loin, others say that it can also be bone-in and it’s simply a thicker cut.

One thing is for sure, though—Delmonico steak today isn’t just one cut of meat. It’s whatever meat you want to prepare with the characteristics that were once given to its original incarnation of the cut.

Some places today have even taken to calling a Delmonico steak anything from a sirloin strip, to a rib-eye, or even just any old cut of steak.

How Is Delmonico Steak Best Cooked?

Cooking Delmonico steak is just like cooking any other cut of steak.

In this sense, you can consider a Delmonico steak to be a steak without any special treatment. It’s versatile and can be cooked may different ways.

Delmonico is usually served rare or medium-rare so it can retain some of the juices of the meat while still being tender and moist.

Cooking this steak in the oven is not recommended. Delmonico steaks are traditionally cooked on a grill or under a broiler so they can obtain that nice, charred flavor.

How Is Delmonico Steak Best Prepared?

When it comes to preparing Delmonico steak, it’s best to season well with salt and pepper and use a steak rub of your choice.

Preparing this steak is easy, but it does take a little bit of time.

First, ensure you have all your ingredients ready by seasoning the meat, heating up your skillet or grill, and setting out any other things you might want to use.

Once everything is prepared, heat the skillet over high heat for five minutes so it’s nice and hot.

Place two tablespoons of butter in the pan and place each steak in the pan. Let each side sit in the pan for about two minutes.

Cook each side for a total of ten minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 125 degrees F, then remove from the pan and allow steaks to rest for five minutes before serving.

The best way to tell if a steak is done is by using a meat thermometer. A good steak will have an internal temperature clock and show you when it’s done cooking.

A rare steak should have an internal temperature of around 120 degrees F, while a medium steak will have about 125 degrees F. A well steak will be at 135 degrees F, and a very well one is 145 degrees F.

As mentioned above, any steaks you cook should have about five minutes of resting time before serving them and cutting into them.

How Is Delmonico Steak Best Served?

Serving Delmonico steak is quite easy. The best way to serve them is on a plate with rice and vegetables like carrots, green beans, or peas.

You can also serve it beside mashed potatoes or baked potatoes for an extra hearty meal.

Delmonico steak will usually come in individual portions, so all you have to do is serve and enjoy!

It’s a good idea to cut into your steak and make sure it’s cooked the way you like it before serving any to anyone else.

And be sure to use steak butter to keep the meat nice and tender, especially if you’re cooking it rare.

Delmonico steak is also great with fries, which you can easily make in the oven when you’re cooking steak.

For an extra special treat, try breading your cut of beef with crushed pretzels before frying it up in a pan.

This will give your steak an amazing crunchy texture that goes perfectly with the finely marbled meat inside.

Is Delmonico Steak Expensive?

The price of Delmonico steak is largely going to depend on where you buy it from and your location.

If you want to try Delmonico steak for the first time, but don’t want to go big, pick up a small cut at your local grocery store and ask them to trim off any excess fat before they wrap it up for you.

A quarter-pound of boneless Delmonico steak usually costs around $8, though you may be able to find it for as low as $5.

If you want a full Delmonico steak, then expect to pay around $20 or more.

This high-quality cut is often reserved for special occasions and steak dinners because it’s that good.

Be sure to shop around in supermarkets and look for the best deal before buying, it’s even a good idea to keep an eye out online for discounts.

Where Is Delmonico Steak Commonly Found?

Delmonico is generally found in New York restaurants and in upscale steak houses. It’s a very popular cut of meat in the United States, so you should have no trouble finding it when looking for your favorite dish.

Delmonico is among one of the most common cuts found outside of New York, too. In fact, Delmonico steaks are considered prime cuts in many states.

If you’re not located in the US, don’t worry. You will be able to find Delmonico steak in the UK, Canada, Australia, and other countries across the world.

So no matter where you are located, this is a cut that should be easy to get your hands on.

What Is The Nutritional Value Of Delmonico Steak?

When cooking steak for guests, a good tip is to be well aware of the nutritional value beforehand, so you can wow your guests with your knowledge and really put a smile on their face if it’s a healthy cut!

The Delmonico steak is well-known for its high protein content, but it is also rich in vitamins and minerals.

The USDA grading system rates beef based on the ratio of fat to lean muscle; the higher the level of fat that is left on the meat, the lower your rating will be.

See below the nutritional value of one serving of Delmonico steak:

  • Calories = 676
  • Fat = 53g
  • Saturated Fat = 5g
  • Carbohydrates = 14g
  • Sugar = 0
  • Protein = 33g

As you can see, the Delmonico steak is higher in calories than some other cuts; it is not the best cut of meat to eat if you are trying to lose weight.

However, it is generally much larger than other traditional cuts, which means you can potentially cut down on calories by having smaller portions.

According to the USDA’s nutritional information for beef, one serving of Delmonico steak contains 676 calories.

The fatty acid content in beef is composed mainly of polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats- these are the two types that are considered “good” when it comes to cholesterol.

It also contains a small amount of saturated fat.

The largest portion of the Delmonico steak is protein, as it contains 33 grams- there are 30 grams in one ounce.

One serving of this steak also contains 12 percent and 8 percent of your daily value for iron and zinc, respectively; 58 percent of your daily value of niacin; and vitamin B12, riboflavin, selenium, and phosphorus.

A portion contains a little less than half a gram of cholesterol.

Other Considerations

It’s worth keeping in mind that Delmonico steak is a calorie-dense food, as it’s quite high in fat and protein; the large amount of protein also makes it a potential trigger for those who suffer from “meat intolerance” (a.k.a. “secondary lactose intolerance”).

To put all this into perspective: If you’re trying to eat healthily and keep your cholesterol intake low, this cut may not be for you; but the same is true of all higher-fat meats.

Delmonico steak can be any cut of beef, usually a rib eye or strip loin steak, boneless and cut 1 to 2 inches thick.

It is not an official USDA grade of beef. This name (and dish) is claimed by several restaurants to be an exclusive product.

The term “Delmonico Steak” is a registered trademark of the Delmonico International Corporation and used under license by several restaurants in New York City, even though it has been used generically outside that region since at least 1837.

Conclusion

As a whole, Delmonico steak is a beautiful cut of steak that has a lot of history behind it.

The next time you’re at your favorite steakhouse, be sure to ask for Delmonico and impress your friends with trivia facts!

Thank you guys so much for reading this blog post! Feel free to share it with other steak lovers you may know!

Other Popular Posts