Why Is Tomahawk Steak So Expensive?

why is tomahawk steak so expensive?

Tomahawk steak, which is also known as Ribeye Steak’, is famous for its rich and juicy flavors. It is typically a very expensive steak and many people wonder if it is worth the price.

So, if you are also one of those people who are not sure if this steak is worth the hype or not, then this article is surely going to answer all your questions and will give you all the necessary details about tomahawk steaks.

Why is tomahawk steak so expensive? Let’s find out…

What Actually Is Tomahawk Steak?

The tomahawk steak is nothing but a bone in the rib eye which is cut from the rib part of the beef cattle.

While taking the meat from the rib section, the butcher keeps the large rib bone attached, which usually sticks out between 10 to 20 inches from the steak.

The bone which is left attached to the steak is frenched which signifies that all of the connective fat, tissues, and meat has been completely cleaned from the bone so that you are left with just a perfectly cleaned bone that would serve as a handle to your steak.

So, in a nutshell, it is not simply a big piece of meat.

Tomahawk steaks are thicker than other types of steaks with their thickness being approximately 2 inches. As a result of this, they are heavy too and normally weigh somewhere between 2 and 3 pounds, which is pretty when we compare them to ordinary steak pieces.

The tomahawk or rib-eye steak is taken from one of the two muscles called longissimus dorsi, which passes beneath the ribs of the cow.

The muscles I just mentioned are not much used by the cow in daily activities which is why they remain very tender.

The main reason behind the fame of ribeye steak is the extreme tenderness of the meat along with the marbling of ribeye bone attached to it which makes it very unique.

Are There Any Other Names For Tomahawk Steak?

Tomahawk is one of its kind, and it is marketed under the very same name. Some people confuse Ribeye steak with Cowboy Cut which is not as big as tomahawk steak.

Cowboy Cut steak and bone-in ribeye are more traditional pieces of steak that are also taken out from the rib but they are smaller in size and there is only a small part of bone attached to the steak.

So, beware if you go to a restaurant and order any of these steaks, as you may be disappointed that you will not get the true tomahawk steak that you have been craving to have.

What Is The Price Difference Between Tomahawk Steak And Regular Rib Eye Steak?

The price of Tomahawk streak is entirely dependent on the quality of beef you intend to buy and the butcher shop where you intend to buy it from.

However, normally the tomahawk steak is three times as expensive as the normal bone in ribeye steak.

Let me give you a brief idea of how much it would cost if you buy it from The Chicago Steak Company. The Chicago Steak Company is charging around $250 for two dry-aged tomahawk steaks in comparison to four dry-aged bone-in ribeye steaks being sold for $280.

I would like to mention here that you should expect to pay around $100 if you opt to go for a high-quality tomahawk steak in a restaurant, and the truth is that you will be paying $50-$80 just for the bone that comes along the steak.

Now one might wonder that the weight of both steaks is different so the price is justified for tomahawk steak as tomahawk is usually 40 ounce while bone-in ribeye steak is just 24-ounce steak.

But please note that most of the weight of the tomahawk steak is due to the bone attached to it than the meat itself.

What Other Factors Make Tomahawk Steak So Expensive

There are a number of other factors that make this steak that expensive, a few of which are:

It is Picture Perfect

The way it is cut from the beef is what makes it extra special.

While some people may not be convinced with the usefulness of the bone attached to the steak and does not believe in paying extra money for that bone, but those who have an eye to pick the finest details not only values its presence but often call it the beauty bone of the steak.

It adds a lot to the presentation with its big personality and captivating presence.

It is worth mentioning here that the bone does not only add to the presentation of the tomahawk steak but it can also be used to make a delicious and full of flavor broth that you can use in cooking other dishes such as soups and stews.

It is Full of Flavors

Tomahawk is flooded with delicate marbling which makes it not only tender but also loaded with rich flavors that will last until your very final bite.

Since the meat is taken out of the intramuscular area, therefore the steak fat is full of flavors that will give you the experience of a lifetime.

I would highly recommend you to try it once and you will never forget the delectable delight. I assure you that you will not be spending money just for the luxurious dining experience rather you will be actually paying for the flavor of the food.

Huge in Size

The size of the tomahawk will be sufficient to share it with your friend or loved one, although the actual size cannot be guaranteed.

Due to its monster size, it is perfect for couples who are planning for a romantic dinner where they can share a meal to get that intimate feeling.

Alternatively, you can also go with friends and family and enjoy this incredible experience with your close ones.

Which Beef Cattle Is Best For Tomahawk Steak?

When it comes to tomahawk steak the choice of beef cattle is really important as do not want to go wrong with the tenderness or flavor.

Wagyu

Wagyu is the type of beef cattle that comes from the 4 major Japanese cow breeds which are Kuroge, Akage, Nihon Tanaku, and Mukake.

All of the breeds have an abundance of intramuscular fat which makes them the perfect choice for tomahawk steak. You will not lose on flavors or taste or tenderness if opt to go for Wagyu.

Angus

Angus is another popularly used beef cattle that comes from the native cow breed of Scotland named Aberdeen Angus.

Just like Wagyu, it also consists of a large quantity of intramuscular fat making it an ideal choice for making tomahawk steak.

How Long Does Tomahawk Steak Take To Cook?

Tomahawk steak can be used on a grill or it can be cooked through reverse seering which makes use of both grill and the pan or you can also bake it.

Each method has a different cooking time. For instance, if you want to bake the tomahawk steak then you need to bake it in a preheated oven until the internal temperature of the steak is reached 130 degrees.

It normally takes around 30 minutes to reach the desired temperature, but it is highly recommended to use a thermometer to avoid any mistakes as no one wants to waste their money just after a silly mistake.

One the optimal temperature, you must rest the steak for another 5-10 minutes before cutting it into slices.

Please keep in mind that the temperature is not only important for the proper cooking of steak but it is also significant to retain the rich flavors.

What Is Reverse Seer In Tomahawk Steak?

It is not an easy task to cook tomahawk steak due to its size, which is why reverse seering is considered to be one of the best methods to cook chunky tomahawk steak.

Since this steak is around 2 inches in thickness which means that traditional seeering methods are most likely to leave it undercooked or overcooked.

Reverse seering is particularly used to make sure that the inside of the steak is properly cooked.

This method is significant because the raw middle part of the steak or overly cooked meat is the least that you would ever want to try.

How Many Calories Are In A Tomahawk Steak?

Data suggests that there are around 270 calories, 24 grams of protein, and 12 grams of fat in a 3-ounce tomahawk steak which usually weighs about 85 grams.

However, if you are one of those who are diet conscious or are trying to shed some kilos then you should be careful while having tomahawk steak and I advise you to plan your meal accordingly.

Tomahawk steak is undoubtedly one of the best steaks you can ever have. I suggest you spend some money and definitely give it a try as you will not disappointed with the experience.

Rather you will come back again and would also suggest your friends try it at least once. Trust me, it is worth every penny you are paying!

Other Popular Posts